Butlers Orchard - Mom Camp

Day 3:  We had the best time at Butlers Orchard. I haven't been there in forever and they have so much great stuff for kids.  Especially on the weekdays when it's not so crowded. Since we are quite a large group we got to pick blueberries in our very own private little blueberry patch, then a tractor ride around the farm and finally just about had the kids play area all to ourselves with their fun slides you go down with burlap sacks.  SUCH a fun day and...no tears at the end of it!  Full disclosure, there were some at the beginning. Ah well.

 

 

Whoops, you're going to have to turn your head for this one.

2nd Annual Mom Camp Week

It's that time again!!!  You may recall this memorable picture from a year ago, this very week:

We've come so far since then.  We're on day three of Mom Camp week, where a group of friends gather together with their kids and completely overstimulate them with extreme activities each day for a week in 90+ degree temperatures, and no tears yet! Of course, we did miss the first day of camp, but I digress. 

Day 1 was spent touring a local dairy farm - South Mountain Creamery - where we got to see how they milk the cows, store the milk, visited some cute little chicks and newborn cows and then eat the most delicious homemade ice cream. YUM!

 The milking stations - the farmers get up at 1:30am to start milking the cows every morning.

Supermom Jen carrying two of her three kids.

 Newborn cows lookin' for love and not getting any from Jacob. 

Time for ice cream on this incredibly hot day.

Day 2 we went to Cunningham Falls Park and lake to swim and play on the beach.  The kids all had a fantastic time and of course didn't want to leave at all even after 4 hours of being in the hot sun and constant swimming.  The adults left completely exhausted (well, at least I was). 

 

 

Two more fun-filled days to go!

A Day With AVTGTF(I)

Another day out with the great Anne Van, otherwise known as Anne Van the Great the First (I).  This adventurous outing found us walking approximately 50 miles (give or take 47 miles) into the depths of the mysterious forests of the Kingdom of Annapolis.  During the journey we faced what an untrained eye might think were faithful geysers, wild birds of prey, venomous snakes, and man-eating turtles.  The pictures may appear tame (for the scary parts I hid behind AVTGTF), but the adventure was anything but.  Then we ate ice cream.

 Tempting fate!

Look Who's Three!

It's Owen. That's who.

 

 

 

Despite this roller coaster weather week, raining one minute, sunny the next, threatening derechos leading to nothing (at least on our street - it seems it was that spotty!), we were still able to celebrate with a few friends and neighbors on his big day.  Owen, Owen, Owen, what does one say about Owen?  He still talks with a bit of a deep voice which I find hilarious given his size and age.  He has quite a memory for people, places and names and when things happened and the order they happened in and who will be here or there and what car someone drives and how old everyone is.  He is sorta on the serious/observing side at this age but is also very much a jokester (even if often only HE thinks it's funny).  He likes to cuddle and when he gets scared he says "I'm scared from that" and  I plan never to correct him cause it's so cute.  His favorite things might be to wrestle and sleep (at night at least, no naps since he was 2.5 even though he needs them!) and he and Jacob continue to have a great little bond together.  And that's our little O, O-dog, Owie, Owie-one-Kenobi, 

School's Out for Summer!

Jacob "the graduate" finished preschool and Owen "I go Monday Friday" finished up his 2's class. 

 Where's Waldo?

Sooooooooooo, here we go!!  First day of Summer break - I feel like I'm at the top of a roller coaster - a little afraid, wondering what I've gotten myself into (Jacob must have asked me "what are we doing next" 457 times today), but also full of anticipation for the fun ahead.  And, most of all, hoping for superhuman strength and PATIENCE on the way down!!!

But then just look at this fun, happy little face.  I do love Summertime!!!