Safari Park

Since Jason is living with us, we have tried to think of some things to do with him that may not be in the ordinary for him.  We decided that we should go to the Virginia Safari Park.

We always enjoy getting on the wagon and feed the animals from there.  It gives us the opportunity to hear a bit about the animals from the tour guide and...

 It protects our cars from horns like this...

When this guy came to the side of the wagon, I moved to the center.  Those horns were HUGE!

 The boys got to feed lots of different animals,

  but, llamas were the most common.

 I was able to get one picture of my 3 boys.

After the wagon ride we were walking and looking at some of the animals that were free roaming on the trail.  They had something out to pet, so we investigated.
  

It was a huge python of some sort.  I even was able to touch it for a moment.  It felt much different than I thought it would. 

I was a beautiful day for a fun trip  

Science

As we were making grape juice today I looked out the window to see this:

Knowing this is an Adam thing, I had to wonder about his thought process.  So I asked Lana who was outside with him.  She said, "It is a Science experiment.  He wants to know if an upside down umbrella holds water.  His hypothesis is that it will." 

He happened to be right. 

He keeps me on my toes!

Adam started Middle School

In our area, Middle School starts in 5th grade.  Adam just happened to be entering that grade this year.  I knew this would be a big adjustment for him, but I knew he could do it. 

The week before school started, The schools hold an open house where the students can come find their classes, meet their teachers, and find their lockers.  Adam came and he was so overwhelmed!  It was anything but a wonderful experience.  I was a bit concerned about how the year would go with it starting out like this. 

The first day of school came.  Adam went to his hallway, and I did not see him all day.  (I work at that school).  After school, he came bouncing into my room, telling me that he got his locker open all by himself, his classes are wonderful, he wants to try out for a play.  He LOVES school! 

I am so glad that even though it was a bit rocky at the open house that he was able to find the good in his school and enjoy the moments he has.

Quick Vacation

We wanted to take a bit of time this summer to see some new things, but we didn't want to go really far, or spend too much money.  Hmmmmm.....what to do.  That seems like the impossible vacation.

In May, some of Mike's college friends came over.  One of them lives right outside of D.C.  Before she left she said, "You should bring your boys up sometime."  After they left, I looked at Mike and said, "Let's go to D.C."  So we set it up.

On the way up to her house we stopped at the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space museum.

We rode a simulator.  We wore 3-D glasses and watched a movie as to what it is like to be in a plane.

 I had to get a quick picture of Austin.  He is starting to not enjoy his picture taken so much.  So, I take them when I can.

 This museum has an observation deck.  (Adam was letting his true colors show while we waited for our turn).  It was really beautiful up there.

 Adam insisted we take a picture so we can show how far up we were :)

 And Adam wanted to take a picture of our car.  (It is on the left side, on the other side of the tree, between the red and white car.  The blue SUV)

This museum is near Dulles airport.  From the observation deck we could see planes.  I told Mike I just wanted to see some take off or land.  Before we left I saw 2 take off and 1 land.  I felt like that was a successful trip.

After we left the museum we went to Jen and Darron's house.  We made plans for the next day, had dinner, then we went blackberry picking.  I was really surprised to see how excited the boys were to pick blackberries. It made for a wonderful evening walk, with the  bonus of fresh blackberries to take home.

Monday we went to the International Spy museum.  We were to choose an identity and be tested on it later.  I did not remember all my information-it's really tough!   They also had a section on bugs and had sections where someone could go talk and someone else could push a button and listen to the bug they are talking near.  They had fake bombs that needed to be detonated.  The part you pull up could not touch the sides.  Again, I might say that I did not do good at this.  The boys were able to do it, but not me.  They had keypads where you had to find the code  and put it in correctly into the keypad.  This was a really fun museum that I had never heard of!

We went to the gift shop and found...

 How cute is that?

Then we went to the Air and Space museum in the Smithsonian.

 I had to get a picture of my boys with Wright brothers.

The funny thing was they got so excited about......

 ....escalators!  Oh to live in a small town with no escalators!  Really they enjoyed seeing the rockets and airplanes, too.

Then we headed to the American History Museum.  That had a little bit of everything from American History in it.  It was truly amazing.  It had president's coats and hats.  The ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz.  Trains, cars, buses, etc.  They also had sections on TV cooking shows.  Really this museum had everything!

 Again, Adam showed his colors and posed with this statue.

We then went to Union Station, had lunch, and looked around a little.  We thought about going to some of the monuments but the boys were so tired we decided to head back to Jen and Darron's.

Adam fell asleep on the way back.

 Then he ended up like this...

 and slept that way the rest of the way back to their place.

Tuesday we got an early start and went to the Washington Monument.

 I think that is such a beautiful monument.

 This is inside the doors of the monument.

To the east we saw the capitol building.

To the south we saw the Jefferson Memorial.

To the North is the White House.

To the West is the Lincoln Memorial.  Amazing views!!

As we walked to our next stop, I saw these pillars with different states on them.  Virginia was right next to a section that was roped off.  It was meant to be!  

I had to get a picture of my boys by Virginia.

Our next stop was the Einstein Memorial.

We hung out with Einstein for a bit.  ;)  Really it is beautifully done.  It was nice that it was on our way to our next stop-The Lincoln Memorial.

Just beautiful!

From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial I got this picture of the Washington Memorial. (still my favorite!)

Adam was starting to slow down a bit so from time to time, as we needed time to catch up, we would find Mike and Austin like this.

Our last stop was to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

One picture with the Washington Memorial in the background.

From the front.

We drove past the Jefferson Memorial and got a quick glance at him standing inside. This is a picture of the outside of the Memorial.  We were not able to fit it into our schedule to go inside, maybe next time.

This vacation was a whirlwind, but we did so much and had a great time.  That is what counts the most.

Austin's week at Camp

Austin was scheduled to go to camp July 13-18.  I was a little concerned that they would have extremely hot weather, as it is July....  The cabins at camp are not air conditioned and they spend most of their time outside.  As I dropped him off is was a "on the warm side" kind of day.  The counselor told me they would do their best to keep them cool.  Swimming, playing the in creek, etc.  

As the week went on, they had the most beautiful weather!!!  I was so glad!  

Austin did not talk as much about camp as Adam did when I picked him up.  But I could tell he had a great time.  

Adam also had one of the counselors that Austin had this year, Greg (on the left).   Steven (on the right) said he had Adam a few years ago.  I don't remember.  They both said they saw our last name on the list and knew the family immediately.  I thought, "WOW!!  what do my boys do at camp that make them remember us."  But I think it is more that we have an odd last name.

I am so appreciative of these guys who give their summer to working with kids.  They set a great example for the kids how they can grow up, have fun, and still have great Christian values.

MTC Academy

A year or so ago, my sister told me of this program she had signed her son up for.  Austin was not yet of an age that he could get into the program, but as soon as he could I wanted to sign him up!

Our local Vocational School has an 8 day "camp".  The child can choose from cosmetology, to welding, vet assistant, engineering, fire and rescue, or visual arts and 3D projects.  I'm sure there are more that I am missing.

Austin chose the Visual Arts and 3D projects.  This did not surprise me at all-it is right up his alley!

On the first day of this program we happened to be talking about what he wanted to do when he grew up.  He told me he thought a science teacher is what he was going to go for.  When I picked him up, one of the first things he said was, "I changed my mind--No more science teacher--I want to do this!"

They did several sketches and had them printed on a 3D printer.

 He also designed a few short cartoons (maybe 2-3 seconds) but I was very impressed at what he could do! 

The last day they had the parents come and see what they were doing in the classrooms, then there was a short ceremony.

 Each child got a certificate for being part of their program.

They also got t-shirts. 

Then after the program there was a picnic for everyone. 

I asked Austin if he wanted to do this again next year.  Without any thought he responded "YES!"  I was surprised that he wants to do the exact same program as he did this year.  We will see what he thinks over the next few months until I sign him again.

If nothing else, it gives him a taste of what career opportunities there are out there.

Haircut

Adam has a swim cap that he wears to swim team practice.  Earlier this week, he tried to put this swim cap on, and found it could not go on--He had too much hair!

Adam decided he needed a haircut.  I asked if he wanted to go to the barber shop or if he wanted me to give it to him.  He said, "No, I want to give it to myself."  

I have never been in this situation before, so I had to think it through.  I decided "fine, if it gets messed up, it's only hair and it is summer..."  so I said, "Fine, go for it."

So he did!

He did a fine job with the front and sides.  I had to do the back for him (and only get a few long spots he missed.)  I guess if cutting his hair is the most major thing he asks for, I think we can do it.