End of Summer fun

So the week of Labor Day is considered the end of summer... How I am sad to see another season go, but look forward with great anticipation to my favorite season, autumn. As we said our good byes to summer, we did a lot of great things. We went swimming a couple of times, hung out at the park, went to the Reston Zoo with Lisa and Julia, had a women's night out at pottery, saw family and went to an air show!

Stephen and Scottie enjoyed going to Sherando park for a birthday party and learning about light sabers. They had lots of fun battling in the woods with the other boys and had a blast on their play equipment.

Later in the week, Lisa and Julia had us out to their house to go to the Reston Zoo. It was a fun time with the kids. We went on a ride in a wagon pulled by a tractor into the "Savannah" and was able to feed an ostrich, see Stephen's favorite animal, zebras, and see a camel up close and personal. There were many other critters to see, monkeys, kangaroos, goats and sheep in the petting area, pot bellied pigs, porcupines, and pythons just to name some of the bigger ones. The kids liked being able to get close to the animals, closer than normal. It was a fun time, but very hot! Then we went back for naps and headed to the pool. We had fun at the pool, swimming and playing. Stephen has grown so much over the summer. He is doing so well with swimming. I am sure next summer he will be swimming without floaties.

I had a great time out with my girls and we were creative with our time. Becca, one of my best friends has been taking pottery classes with her boys as some fun mom time and decided to see if we would like to go and make some fun things also. I have to say that I really enjoy working with my hands and being able to create fun and useful things while having some great girl time.

The air show was fantastic. It was up in Martinsburg, West Virginia and the feature was the Air Force Thunderbirds!! Peter was able to get us some passes because one of his bosses is the sister of the #2 pilot and we were fortunate enough to be able to eat with the pilots, talk with them, and get some autographs. The Army Golden Knights parachute team was also there but due to high winds they were not able to perform. We saw my favorite aircraft, the A-10 Warthog, and the Navy's F-18 along with many other smaller aircraft. On the ground we were able to see a C-5, Black hawk helicopter, and a really cool plane that takes off like a helicopter but then rotates it's propellers and becomes an airplane called a Osprey. Caleb was home from the Air Force Academy so he was able to join us and this was an added treat for the boys along with me since we don't get to see him so much and we all LOVE Uncle Caleb!

So as summer comes to a close, we look back with fond memories but look forward to many more that will come this fall. Many park days, exciting trips, and birthdays are just around the corner!!