Typical Thursday...

Thursdays usually find us at our building's Playgroup in the morning...which I volunteered to commandeer a few years back...I used to hold it weekly, but now with the baby, it gets to be too much...regardless we have fun and I have fun creating fun little activities and themes for each session--reminiscent of my days as an elementary teacher....this morning we did Pumpkins, Puzzles and Puppets.  The kids had fun digging their little hands and pulling out the guts of a big ol' pumpkin--although we ran out of time to carve his face and roast the seeds.  We also made these great little lanterns which I have yet to add the finishing varnish to.  They did a great job painting them and I think they'll look great on our patio in the days leading up to Halloween! 

After Playgroup ends we hightail it upstairs to have lunch....and get ourselves out the door in time for K-Man's Sports class at Gymboree.  Today they started their gymnastics unit--and worked on their log rolling and somersaults.  He did great! 

We didn't have to travel too far from home today to rid my almost 4 year old of some of his boundless energy---and while it's great to get out--my housework has definitely taken the back burner this week...oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Trot, Trot to the National Zoo...

After preschool on Monday we joined forces with a friend and her 2 children and headed over to the National Zoo.  We couldn't resist the gorgeous DC weather--unfortunately in lieu of paying $16 to park in one of the Zoo lots we instead opted for street parking--and although we didn't have to dig for quarters, we only found 2 hour parking.  Well, it ended up working out since we were able to beat traffic leaving after 2 hours--but we after snacking on some lunch and between the 2 of us having to nurse the babies--we saw only a few animals. If only I was still volunteering at the zoo--which allowed me to park for free. The highlights of our trip--or should I say, K-Man's highlights:  the water mister and the elephant bridge!  We also saw zebras, emus, the panda, horses, and got to watch the bucket cranes hanging the lights in preparation for Boo At the Zoo later this weekend.  I do have to say--it's been a while since I've visited and the Asia Trail is super cool--they did a great job--interactive displays and tons of information.  Can't wait to see what they are going to do with the North American wildlife trail--which is where I used to interpret. Suffice to say, we will be taking the metro next time! (an adventure in itself--K-Man has been begging us to go on the Metro!)

Debut Blog...out and about with my two little guys...

I've seem to become one of those moms who likes to get out there and explore...I seem to be always trying to get my almost 4 year-old, K-Man, as one of my good friends calls him, out and about--and more importantly out of the craziness that ensues being trapped inside all day!  I think it's good for him, too, to get out and see new things--explore different places--and learn about the world around him. 

And so this blog is born!  I'm hoping to document all my travels with the kids--as I also have a 4.5 month old that tags along with us on our adventures--big and small. 

We live right outside of D.C. in Northern Va and I know we won't be this close to the Capitol forever--so it's important to me to take advantage now--of all this area has to offer. 

I used to write for the now defunct DC MomsLikeMe mommy board--so now I'm feeling kind of a lull.  I really do enjoy writing and I also enjoy documenting my life--whether in pictures or in writing. 

K-Man is now in preschool a couple days/week--which has been great!  And the biggest perk I've found, aside from having some down time--is getting him to school by 9am also gets me up and at 'em and therefore able to do grocery runs, bank deposits, and other errands before everything around here gets too crowded.  It beats waiting to head to the grocery store after the kids are asleep--another perk of living in this area--24 hour grocery stores! 

Our mini adventures this week:  a quick trip to the National Zoo on Monday afternoon--such gorgeous weather--how could we resist having an outing?

And yesterday--we made it over to Nall's Produce Stand in Springfield to romp around on the pumpkins--and my own selfish reason--to catch a couple great pics of the boys.  Another gorgeous Fall day. 

Today the rain rolled in...but luckily K-Man's school had a Reptiles Alive program going on that we were invited to.  Even though it only took up about 40 minutes of our day, it got us out--which is a good thing!  I usually like to have at least 1 "lazy day" at home to catch up on things--like the cleaning and laundry I've been neglecting!

Over the weekend we walked up the road to our firestation's open house--K-Man was most impressed by the model firehouse made of Legos complete with ambulance, laddertruck, and mini coffeemaker! 

Sunday K-Man spent the afternoon with my in-laws which allowed Hubby to watch the 'Skins game in peace--albeit--the game didn't give him any peace--and the baby and I headed over to Gymboree for play class. Love the Gymboree Baby class--gets my little guy tuckered out and Sundays are always good nap days for him! 

So that's a quick wrap up....I'll go in a bit more depth on the zoo and Nall's in an upcoming post.