Natural Bridge

Pete and I decided to take the kids for an overnight trip to the Natural Bridge. As you can see, Kylee brought along all of her gear -- binoculars, magnifying glass, and camera. She was a little girl on a mission carrying everything around too (for most of the walk anyway.) The kids had a good time walking around and we were lucky enough to spot some snakes and fish down in the water for them to see.

At the bottom of the stone wall that went along the path there were a bunch of holes. Kylee thought it was helpful to point out each of these holes to Ryland; Ryland however, thought it would be interesting to try and use the holes to get closer to the water. We had to stay close by for sure since he would have definitely fit down the hole (well his body would have ... not sure about his head! ha!) : ) On the walk back we picked up some rocks and let the kids stand on the wall to toss them in. Ryland kept saying "more, more."

We walked to the section where the Indian Village was set up. There were animal skins, houses, workshops, fire pits, and some demonstrations going on. Kylee and Ryland were most interested in the random bench in the middle of the village though. Kylee kept trying to get Ryland to sit next to her so they could get their picture taken ... it turned into quite a photo shoot. This was the best we got.

The main reason we decided to go to the Natural Bridge was to go to the Safari Park. We had been there a few times in years past but this was the first time this year. We decided to take the Jeep instead of the van. I just wasn't comfortable having the van doors open and the kids strapped into their seats while feeding the animals. I know people do it and it would have been find but maybe that will be when the kids get older. There were a few animals that Kylee wanted the window up for anyway so I don't think she would have been a fan of the open doors. When we got there, we took out the kids carseats and I sat in the back with them. This worked out great because they were both able to reach the window to help feed the animals.

Kylee did a great job feeding the animals. Our favorites were the emu and the ostrich. The first time around we stayed away from the camels. Kylee didn't want them coming in her window but the second time we drove through she was ready to try. He did try to steal our bucket which made a bit of a mess but other than that it wasn't too bad. We'll see if we try and feed him again next time or not. : )

Ryland was definitely a fan of the no car seat concept. He loved looking and pointing out the window as we passed by some of the animals.

After the drive through part we went to the farm area and used up the rest of our food first. Kylee fed as many goats as she could. Ryland tried to catch the chicken that was running around. The chicken quickly hopped back into the fenced area to get away. : )

The little pictures to put your face in was another big hit ... who knew?!? I think the two of them could have stayed and played at the llama picture all day!

It turned out to be a great little trip and one that we are hoping to make again soon!

Knoebels

While we were up in Pennsylvania this month we were able to find time to head to Knoebels. It turned out to be a great trip for everyone. We went with Jack, Aunt MayMe, and Aunt Laura. All the kids (even Laura!) seemed to have a really great time. We knew Jack and Kylee would love the rides and they had been on most of them the year before together. Ryland, however, we weren't sure about but he loved them (which of course made me very proud!) I think my theory on rides is correct ... if he can see what is going on he enjoys them. (This is why he isn't really a huge fan of some of the rides at Sesame.) We are planning another trip to Knoebels in early August when we visit again. Kylee is already listing the rides she wants to go on ... and the order she wants to ride them in!?

Our first stop was the mini ferris wheel.

Next up were the cars. These were great because each car had two steering wheels so there was no arguing over who was going to drive. Jack and Kylee rode in the orange car and Aunt Laura and Ryland drove behind them in the purple one.

The helicopters were another big hit. Jack was such a great big cousin and told Kylee they should ride in the black helicopter because "black is your favorite color." Aunt Laura and Ryland were riding partners again. One of my favorite pictures is the one in the upper left because you can't see Ryland so it looks like Laura is just having a blast on the kiddie ride by herself. : )

Pretty much anything with a steering wheel made Ryland and Kylee happy. This tanker even had buttons to push.

Aunt MayMe and Jack rode next to Pete and Kylee on the umbrella drop. Although it is an "adult sized" free fall it is a nice slow drop to the bottom (which made Pete happy). : )

Kylee, Jack, and Aunt MayMe also got to ride the rocket ship. This was another ride when you controlled if you were going up or down. Kylee needed a little bit of help to pull the lever and go up but they were able to get it going.

In all the years my family has been going to Knoebels we have never seen this little play area that was there. It was just a spot with some climbing structures but they kids had a good time running around in there for a bit.

Who wouldn't love to drive a fire truck ... complete with a bell to ring.

Kylee and Jack gave the hand carts a try too. This might be Jack's last year to ride these since he is getting so tall. We think the lady let him go so he could ride with Kylee.

One of the newer rides is a set of airplanes that follows a course similar to the whip. I don't think Kylee realized what the ride was until it started ... she was a big fan!

Probably my favorite ride to watch the kids on is the Junior Whip. This has been one of Jack's favorites for a few years now. Kylee rode it last year for the first time and loved it. We put Ryland on and gave Jack his "big cousin duties" of making sure he kept Ryland in the seat. I always forget how fast the cars whip around the corner until that first time. The four adults were holding our breaths hoping that Ryland would enjoy it otherwise Jack was going to have a tough time trying to keep him in the car (which doesn't have a seatbelt!?) I think the pictures speak for themselves! I can't wait to put the kids on this one again! : )

Aunt Laura was successful in getting a picture with each of the kids ... thanks for coming along and being Ryland's riding partner Laura! : )

There were a few rides we didn't get to and a few that it was too dark for pictures but I'm sure we will hit everything the next time we go!

Gravelly Point Park

Another July adventure that we had was to take a trip to Gravelly Point Park. We had never been there before but have had friends go and heard that it was a lot of fun. It is right next to Reagan National Airport. As the planes are arriving and landing they fly directly over the park. Although we have heard people say (and even seen pictures) that the planes fly right over your head as they land you don't realize and appreciate how close they are until you are there. Kylee has since named this place the "Airplane Park." She insisted we take Nana, Grandad, Aunt MayMe, and Jack there when they came to visit ... they seemed to enjoy it too! : )

First we walked around to explore the different areas. We found a little path that lead down to the Potomac. All Ryland wanted to do was throw rocks in the water. Luckily, we were able to find a spot where we could hold on him and let his toss the rocks in. Kylee liked just sitting and watching the boats and planes.

Then we walked over to the field to watch the planes from a different spot. The field is definitely the best place to watch the planes as they really do fly right over your head. At first the kids were too sure what they thought of this. Kylee decided she liked watching the planes but not standing directly under where they were flying (she did start to venture out more though as the night went on.) Ryland didn't care for it at first either. Each time he heard the sound of an approaching plane he would run over to me and bury his head in my shoulder. By the end of the night though, he would stand with us and look at them go over his head. When we went back the second time, he was even clapping for the planes!

This is definitely a place that we will be visiting a lot in the future. : )

Playseum Take 2

Earlier this month we decided to head back to the Playseum. This time Pete got to come with us ... I think he enjoyed it as much as we did the first time. We are hoping to try the new Playseum in DC soon too. The kids had a great time again ... Kylee really liked the fact that she could show Daddy where everything was since she had been there before.

We played in the eye doctor's office for a little bit.

Kylee was off to fish for letters again. This time she decided it was important to wear a hat to help her. : )
The construction room was another big hit. Even Ryland gave the pulley system a try!

Right next to the construction room was the fire station. While Kylee was occupied with the pulley system, Ryland was off on the road driving the fire truck and police car. We also made stops in the Around the World room, which we hadn't really seen last time, and the Beauty Parlor. Kylee sat for a while doing the hair of one of the dolls. Ryland also hit up the slide a few times and practiced brushing teeth in the dentist's office. : )

Once again though, the biggest hit for Kylee and Ryland (and every other kid that visited) was Safeway. We went food shopping a couple times while we were there. I love the picture of Kylee in the upper left corner from when she told me she had to check the coupons before she went shopping. Ha!

Sesame Place ... Take 2!

A couple of weekends ago we decided to head back up for another trip to Sesame Place. It turned out to be another great visit. To start the day off, Kylee decided she wanted to ride the roller coaster! (I was VERY excited about this!) There was no line so her and Pete were able to walk right on the ride without much time to think about it. Ryland and I watched as all the "trains" went by in order to see them on the ride. Kylee did great! When I asked her how it was she said, "I was a little scared at first but then I smiling at the end." Although she didn't want to ride again she has been talking about it and I see more roller coasters in her future. Cedar Point here we come!!!! : )


We did of course get to go on all of our other favorite rides. Ryland is still unsure of whether or not he likes these rides but I think I have him figured out. He is still so small that he can't really see what is going on while he is on any of these rides so he isn't a big fan. But when he gets on the Merry-Go-Round or any other ride that he can see more than just the safety bar he loves it! (This was very evident during a recent trip to Knoebles ... unfortunately our camera died during it but as soon as I get the pictures from Aunt MayMe's camera you will see how much both of these kids love amusement parks! Again, something I am VERY excited about!)
The Merry-Go-Round is always a big hit. We stopped and rode it more than once.

This time around we were able to hit a lot of the areas that we didn't get to last time. Mostly the "nonride" areas. Kylee did do the ropes before so that was another favorite. This time we ventured into the sand area with the monster bean bags. Both kids liked this area. Kylee and I even got to ride the swings. This is a new ride this year and once Kylee rode it she couldn't get enough. She was nervous at first but once we were in the air and swinging she yelled to me, "Mommy I really like this ride." We rode them twice while we were there!

Snuffy's Slides was another big hit. This time we decided to send Ryland down a few times too. He LOVED it! The slide does not go fast at all and it actually took he quite a few "skooches" to get down (luckily there were patient people next in line that thought he was cute while he tried to make his way to the bottom.)

While we were in the pool area, we discovered a "ride" that we had never seen before. This was another one that turned out to be a big hit with the kiddos! Ideally, the rider pulls on the handle in the train car and it moves along the track. Kylee was able to move her train a little on her own but Pete and I did most of the pushing along the track. The kids loved the train and going around the track over and over again.
Cookie Mountain was another area that we hadn't done before but thought it was worth a shot. Kylee was able to climb all the way to the top on her own and slide down. Ryland gave it a good effort but after I put him up about halfway he enjoyed sliding down.

Big Bird's Nest was a spot we had gone to a little bit before. We went there to give Ryland a place to run around while Kylee was on all the "big" rides. He LOVED it again this time around. He built with the blocks but really enjoyed just running in circles and Kylee had fun running with him.
The last new thing we got to do was watch the new Sesame parade. We decided to stay and watch the night parade with the lights. We all really enjoyed it. Kylee was calling out and waving to the characters as they went by. Ryland was so into the parade that he actually stayed in his stroller the entire time to watch it (which is quite a feat in and of itself.) : )

We know we will be heading back to Sesame again soon ... and we are all looking forward to it!

Another Trip to Burke Lake

Living so close to Burke Lake has been such a plus for us. Not only have Pete and Grandad enjoyed the numbers of caches around the lake but the kids love to walk the trails and go down to the water too. One day we decided to head on out for a little trip to the water and Kylee packed up her backpack (and "friend Doggy") with all of her essentials: binoculars, magnifying glasses, snacks, and apple juice.

Along the way we caught sight of a frog. The kids were amused as it hopped across the path (to get away from us) and into the plants. They got to really see him up close and loved it. Pete tried to get him back out to say hello but he seemed to want to stay away from us. : )

Ryland has become a HUGE fan of throwing things into the water. Kylee always loved this too (and still does) but Ryland really has no fear when he is on his mission of getting as many things into the lake as he can. Rocks, sticks, mulch ... it all goes right to the water.