Mount Vernon's Colonial Marketplace

We live only a handful of miles from George Washington's Mount Vernon. Tickets are crazy expensive, but a year pass is a great deal (plus kids under 5 are free). Both Papa Bear and I have year passes.

The last time we were there together as a family was on January 1st, which was an amazing day - complete with a feisty camel.

In June, I took the girls there on my first solo venture with both of them.

Last Week-end, we were planning on checking out the butterflies at the "Wings of Fancy" exhibit before it ended. But, by the time the baby had her first morning nap and everyone was fed, we knew there was not enough time to drive the 45 minutes to the exhibit, explore, eat lunch and drive back for the Big Girl's nap.

It was a glorious day and I wanted to do something as a family.

Lucky for us, there was "Mount Vernon's Fall Market."

There were some decent vendors (all very authentic) and a tiny military encampment. We ended up buying Nye-Nye a gorgeous hand-made broom just her size! I gave her the money and she stood in line patiently clutching her broom and the cash, waiting to pay for it. She was so proud.

We also watched a cannon demonstration, although neither girls seemed terribly impressed.

The food was the biggest disappointment (BBQ with coleslaw, turkey legs, popcorn, a bag of peanuts, chips and an apple...those were your options). But, the event was free with our pass and it got us out of the house, so I won't complain too loudly.

All in all it was a success (plus I got several sweet photos of Papa Bear with his Anala-bala Bear).

It was a nice, spontaneous Family Outing.

That being said...

"Claude Moore Colonial Farm's Colonial Market Fair" was much, much more impressive. We went last year. They do a phenomenal job with authenticity and food (and beer) is top-notched. They had killer meat-pies and veggie-pies, baked olives, roasted chicken amongst other things. There is plenty too do, but it's not too overwhelming to go with small children (like the Ren Festival). Everything is very reasonable and the site is quite lovely.

Claude Moore Farm has three Market Fairs a year. Their Autumn Colonial Market will be October 19th and 20th from 11 am - 4:30 pm. If you've never been and are in the area, I highly recommend marking your calendars.

I don't have any photos from last year, but I'll end a few shots from Mount Vernon.

Gravelly Point. A Two-Year Old's Paradise.

 

 

 

Loud Airplanes flying RIGHT OVER your head. A massive, flat field to run around. Boats sailing past. Families picnicking and playing ball. Seriously, what's not too love?

 

Especially if you are two-years old.

 

"Gravelly Point Park" is located next to National Airport's Runway. If you stand in a certain point, the planes fly directly above you and make the most exhilarating sound. It's hard to resist putting your hands over your ears, it's so loud.

 

It's a FREE, FUN family activity. We always see the most diverse array of people - all united in the pure Joy of this spectacular sight. Today, we even saw an Amish family.

 

Our family has only been a few times and every time I ask myself why we haven't been more.

 

Even the baby seem to enjoy herself.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lee District's "Our Special Harbor" Sprayground

 

 

 

Lee District's Our Special Harbor Sprayground is less than 10 minutes from our house. We are so lucky. It's a really fantastic Sprayground with a Chesapeake Bay theme and tons of fun features that are guaranteed to tucker out a very active toddler.

 

Best of all?

 

It's FREE.

 

Our family will be very sad when it closes for the season.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby's First Happy Hour

 

 

 

 

I had forgotten the charm of going to a Restaurant with an infant. It's so easy (unless they have colic or are fussy). My husband and I merrily went out to Restaurants until Nye-Nye turned 6 months old.

 

I vividly remember the day when eating at a Restaurant with a child went from being a treat to be a chore.

 

My Father-in-law had just turned 60. In celebration, we dined at a nice Indian Restaurant. Before that day, Nye-Nye had been content to sit and look around her. All of a sudden, our daughter was NOT happy in the high-chair and wanted OUT. My husband and I had to take turns walking around the place, while the other ate. NOT relaxing at all. It's been not relaxing ever since.

 

My Parents are graciously watching Nye-Nye for the week. (Thanks, Mommy!)

 

So, when Papa Bear got home from work early on Monday, we drove to our former stomping ground (Old Town) to enjoy Happy Hour. Tapas was $3.50 per plate at one of the Tapas Restaurants. Neither of us had ever been there before and I had been dreaming about Spain ever since I stumbled across this blog.

 

The food was good and the Sangria amazing. And, the baby smiled the whole time. It was fantastic!

 

 

Walking in the Rain

 

 

Over the last three years, I struggled with missing my beloved Baltimore. I still am not crazy about living in Northern Virginia, but I've accepted (mostly) that my husband's job is here. He has spent the last twenty-four years of his life in this area and won't live anywhere else. So, Northern Virginia it is...

 

I have to admit though...there are tons and tons of fun things to do here. One of my favorites is walking along the trails along the George Washington Parkway. For those who aren't familiar with the area the GW Parkway is the road from Washington D.C. to George Washington's Mount Vernon. We live about mile from GW Parkway.

 

When my husband got home on Tuesday, I was antsy to do something as a family, after dinner. So, we took a walk through the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve. It sprinkled on and off. Then we got some ice cream in Old Town Alexandria. It was good way to spend a Summer evening. 

 

The last four photos are from a walk we took at the same place in February. Can you tell how cold it was that day?