Holy Heat Wave

Today we tried to beat the 105 degree heat by pulling out the slip and slide. Aidan and Nick invited their favorite person in the whole world right now, the little neighbor girl Caroline, over too. The three of them ran themselves silly for over an hour. This heat is starting to get old and I am sure I am going to miss it in January but bring on Fall and some cooler weather. Tomorrow I think we are going to head to the pool for a lazy summer day.

Burke Lake Park

Being silly at the amphitheater.

Ms. Meg showing them the fish in the water.

Nick and Noah riding the train.

Aidan and Caleb being silly on the train.

Today we went to Burke Lake Park with all of our old friends from ACSC in Montgomery. There were 7 families total. It was a great new find for us. It is this massive park with three playground areas, a train that goes around the lake, a carousel, picnic area, hiking trails, frisbee golf, mini-golf, a marina and so much more. We packed a picnic lunch again and hung out with all of our friends from our old playgroup and the kids ran themselves silly. We went hiking for a good hour through the trees down to the water and the kids loved it. We came across a deer and all kinds of wildlife on our hike. The kids were in awe. We will definitely have to meet up with our friends again soon. It's so nice to have friends who have lived here before so they can show you all the good spots to hang out.

The National Zoo

Oreo cookie ice cream face.

Nick enjoying his ice cream cone.

Aidan and Keira in the misters. It felt really good.

Too tired to walk anymore.

Nick chilling out on the Asia trail.

The kids by the leopard cage.

Yesterday we went to the National Zoo with our friends the Vlauns. Meg kindly offered to drive us since she has a zoo parking pass which saved us $20. It was a little on the Hot side but the kids had a great time once we got to the top of the massive hill the Zoo is on and then were going downhill the whole time. We packed a picnic lunch and spent over 4 hours wondering around and we didn't even see half of the Zoo. Some favorites from the day were when Aidan yelled out there is the Cheetoh at the Cheetah when he saw it. The giant panda bear, the lions and elephants were a huge hit also. Of course, ending the day going through the sprinklers and getting ice cream is always a hit with both the Moms and kids. We will definitely head there again when it cools off some.

Pirate's Cove Waterpark

Fighting over who was going to drive the pirate ship.

All 4 kids hanging on the pirate during the lifeguard break.

Aidan digging for buried treasure.

Trying to stay cool with his ice cream cone.

Still digging.

Nick & the Pirate

Today we went to Pirate's Cove Waterpark with our good friends the Vlauns. All 4 kids had a blast. They had waterslides and water cannons and a pirate ship and Tarzan ropes as well as the pools. They also had this sand/beach area where the kids played for a while too. It was crazy hot here today as it was 100 and the heat index said 110 so it was a great day to be in the water. We ended our trip with some ice cream and drinks. All in all, it was a great day and we will definitely head back to the cove before the season is over.

Nick turns 8!

Sporting his new Nationals jersey.

Running the bases after the game.

The foul ball he caught.

His Birthday balloons.

His present from Grandma O.

Yesterday was Nicks 8th Birthday and according to him it was the best birthday he has ever had. We celebrated with friends from Alabama on Thursday with the baseball cake. Yesterday we went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and then lounged around the house for most of the morning. We checked out a new park by our house later in the day and ended the day at the ballpark watching a Potomac Nationals game. We paid $5 to have them announce Nick's birthday and put it on the big screen. It was worth every penny because he was so shocked. His face was priceless. He also caught a foul ball which he thought was the greatest thing on earth. Thanks to everyone who sent presents and Birthday cards and wishes he loved them all.

Seeing the Sights in DC

Taking a rest after spending hours seeing the sights.

The boys riding the metro for the first time.

Well today we finally went in to the city and did some sight seeing. We rode the metro because the boys really wanted to ride "the train". They enjoyed it but Jeremy and I not so much. I think it was much more of a pain in the butt then it was worth and it was kind of expensive. We went to the Air and Space Museum which both boys loved. Nick was really into it and loved every second of it and probably would have stayed longer but Aidan really wasn't much fun after about 2 hours in there he was done. Then we hiked up and down the Mall a little to the Capitol and the Washington Monument just showing the boys around a little. We found a nice shady spot and the boys had some ice cream. That was about all we could take on our first trip. Next time I think we will drive and maybe bring a bike or stroller for Aidan.