Cabin John...

The Always terrifying "Porky the Litter Eating Pig"...

I was protected on the train ride by a Storm Trooper!

Waiting for the train to get going...


The boys and I are taking full advantage of the cooler weather- only 84!!  and spending as much time as possible outside! Today was a trip to the park at Cabin John to ride the train.  Will brought all his Star Wars gear, and didn't attack anyone, so I am counting the trip as a success!

Dinotastic!

First stop was the always crowded, overpriced cafeteria...

The boys were playing peek a boo over this large dino leg bone...

Charlie checking out the Mastodon skeleton...

Charlie's favorite thing by far was the large stuffed Elephant that is in the center of the museum...

Apparently, this caveman had a booger!

William showing off his skull...

Charlie checking out the glow...

William getting a taste of what life was like for the caveman...

A quick ride before heading home...

While I was gone to work on Sunday, Jason, Grandma, and the boys headed down to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.  They had a good time, once they found parking.  I am glad we are so close to so many free museums! 

Adventure Park...

We were invited to a birthday party on Saturday at the local Adventure Park.  I had never taken the boys there because it is HUGE and complicated and I was always afraid of losing them.  Since Daddy was along it was the perfect opprotunity, and it was great!  One thing I have to say for being in a very populated, wealthy area of the country is that they have amazing parks.  This had a 3 level castle/fort and a large pirate ship and lots of other fun stuff, including a great climbing wall.  The kids had a great time even though it was really hot.  I think now that Will is getting older, I can probably go there on my own with both kids.  We will see if I work up the nerve....

Back to Greenbriar...

Charlie was transferring the beach back into the water...

William was having a ball, but he was hard to photograph because he stayed out so deep!

We took advantage of the cooler weather (80's instead of 90's) and went to Greenbriar lake again.  The boys had a ball, and were pretty tired out after that.  Charlie didn't eat as much sand as he used to, and was much braver about the water than last time.  Will had a great time, but was determined to stay by the rope barrier that blocks off the deep part.  We only stayed 2 hours because of the sun, but it was great to be out in such a pretty place!

Coming Up for Air...

Life is so chaotic right now, so the blog has suffered neglect.  I believe in making this blog a  true history of our family's life so I will post all the crazy that is happening right now.  We are preparing for our trip to see Aunt Molly married to Richard, which has involved lots and lots of planning and errands. We are gearing up for another school year for William, which he is very excited for.  Will is still taking gymnastics weekly, and is getting good at tumbling.  Sadly, we are running out of time for Jason's position.  This is not the time you want to be unemployed.  The market is terrible.  We have been so horribly stressed out, while trying to keep life as normal as possible for the kids.  Jason and I are constantly on the search for jobs, but there is very little out there for him.  I am preparing for the fact that very soon, I may have to return to work full time, and Jason may have to stay home until we figure out what comes next for our family.  Nobody wants it to come to that, but it is simply the reality, and I am SO happy that I have a degree that will allow me to hop right into a full time position immediately.  I would never have expected this would happen to us, but you just never know.  I am sure this is just a speed bump, and I know we will survive it, but it is such a terrible test on your self esteem, and your confidence.  I can't wait for this chapter to end, and the next to begin.  I am so glad that we have this trip to look forward to.  We need a nice 2 week break from all this stress! I can't wait to take the boys to real castles, and the beaches of the North Sea, and take Jason to a real Football game!

Bowled Over...

I signed Will up for the summer bowling program, so he and I headed out today to use his two free games. You still have to pay for the shoes, but it's nice to bowl for free.   I love to bowl, but clearly I only keep doing it because I really like it, not because I am good at it.  Will got pretty good by the second game, and I comforted myself with the fact he got to use the ramp and the bumpers....I am glad he and I got to have a little time together, just the two of us!