Day 10

Play with Sparklers in our swimming suits after a late swim in the pool.

Day 9

Day 9 of Summer 2012 we went to Hershey Park with our friends Tara, Julie, and Lucas.  We meet them there and Baylor was Hershey Park Happy right away because he got to ride the tram.  He found the Ferris Wheel from the road and was stoked to go to the faire. 

We met them outside the gates and it was good to see them again so soon.  The boys have hardly changed since Sunday!  (wink)

Lucas had a rough night at the hotel and was not in an adventurous mood.  Baylor rode the Ballon ride with Ben who was also not in an adventerous mood but his mom made him ride anyway.  Baylor got off the ride and said he (Ben) was not very happy. 

While Baylor was Ballooning, the girls were trying out the Merry Go Round.  Lucas was tolorant of it but apparently not amused. 

We went on next and while standing in line Baylor was jumping up and down and banged his head on the railing, nearly derailing our trip around on the horses.  I cuddled him and we bounced to the umpah music and by the time it was our turn to ride he was ready to ride a moving horse.  We found a nice horse with pink trim. 

Lori and the girls waited for us to be finished with our ride. 

After the Merry Go Round we were still trying to find a ride for Lucas but he resisted our attempts.  Baylor was more than willing though to try new rides.  The Dinosaurs had buzzer buttons and he could move the head around to eat the other dinosaurs. 

Lucas did find the Reeses Peanut Buttercup attractive and gave him lots of hugs.  I don't think he wanted to let him go.  He is my favorite too but for other tasty  reasons. 

Baylor did not find any ride scary and even after he found out I could not go on them with him, we went anyway.  And really seemed to enjoy them quite a bit. 

Tara went on the Lady Bugs with him and as we are in line we were talking about what types of rides we like.  She likes spinning rides but not up and down rides like coasters.  I like coasters and not the spinning rides.  Neither of us realized this spinning ride had small hills on the back side and after a few rounds Tara was looking a little less excited about the ride and more interested in it stopping.  Thank you Tara for joining Baylor! 

He liked the Pirate Ship quite a bit.  Especially when I noticed the parrot behind him! 

We hunted down the train for Lucas because we knew that would be up his ally, or tracks as the case may be.  Our train was named Scooter and he was a good little train. 

Our new digs, it looked affordable, close to public transportation, easy access to the sawmill for work and the pool was just around the bend.  There were some questionable neighbors but I am sure we could all be frinds.

After the train we located a food court and relaxed in the shade and filled our bellies. Baylor was all about the milkshake.

We rode the train again which Lucas found more interesting with his full belly!  After the train they headed out.  It is a long drive home and Lucas was a bit tired.  Apparently he fell asleep in the stroller and the girls enjoyed Chocolate World in air conditioned comfort! 

We powered on the find the 'Paris' Wheel as Baylor was calling it.  Lori developed blisters on her tender feet and found a shady spot to rest.  Baylor rode on my shoulders and we watched the splash ride but were out of the splash zone.  On the way back he really wanted to get splashed so we waited for the water.  It felt really good too. 

No one was in line for the ride and he raced me up the ramps.  He won!

I remember this ride from a million years ago when we were little and came to PA on vacation. Mom and Dad brought us to Hershey and I remember the colors on the wheel.  Baylor wanted to look out over the edge and did not seem afraid at all of how high up we were. 

He was done with photos and this was a good as it was getting for a photo of us on the ride. 

We picked up Lori and on the way our he rode the swings and we rode the Merry Go Round again, this time in the carriage like Lucas. 

We had a Hershey Park Happy kind of day! 

Day 8

                                           Pick Red Raspberries and make pink Ice Cream

Day 6 of Summer

Blow super giant bubbles

Day 4 and 5 of Summer

Friday after work, we packed the mini van and headed to Oakton, VA to visit with Tara, Julie, and Lucas.  We stopped in Dillsburg for a fill up and found a fire truck sitting in the parking lot.  There did not seem to be an emergency as it was from Kutztown which is almost two hours away.  Like the trip to the beach, it started with large machinery which made Baylor very happy. 

While the sky was overcast and we had a few sprinkles that required the wipers, we did not run into any storms.  Baylor spotted the rainbow out his window.  It did not photograph well and I was pointing and shooting out my window which is not very safe anyway.  It is barely there in the low part of the center above the tree line.

We did not have any trouble find the Best Western and when we checked in there was a surprise basket waiting for us.  I did not take a photo until it was already gone through but it was a really nice basket of snacks, water, and gifts for Baylor.  He would pull something out and dance around singing how great it was.  And it was great.  We had our choice of salty and sweet snacks and Baylor tucked into some Cheez-its right away.  As country girls we are not accustomed to city water anymore so we really appreciated the bottles of water. 

She made the star shaped crayons which were super fun to color with.  And then I had to buy an ice cube tray to try it also someday. 

We slept well and woke up ready to go. Baylor of course was more ready and had more go, so I let him run around the hotel complex for a while after breakfast to burn off some of that 3 year old energy before we took him to their home.  I did not want him overwhelming Lucas right off. 

Their condo is on the third floor with mature trees everywhere and it is like living in a tree house  Baylor told Lucas he loved his tree house.  Baylor was smitten with the cat and went from trains to cat every minute and a half.  We chatted over some coffee while the boys were being boys and planned our day, at least the first part of the day. 

Of our many options we choose the Reston Zoo and I am really glad we did.  It is a local zoo and only about 15 minutes from their home. 

We bought a cup of food for the animals and went off to find something to feed.  We went to the prairie dogs first and I remember them well from when I lived in Minot, ND.  They were everywhere and more of them than groundhogs around here.  But they are cute in a zoo. 

I think Julie is brushing something off her face and not tasting the zoo chow they were about to feed to a rather unattractive piggy. 

The goats were plentify and greedy. 

But the baby llamas were so soft and sweet but rather alloof if you ask me. 

Lori did not go through the reptile room.  Lucas was looking at a giant yellow boa constrictor.

I think it could have eaten one of the kids if it had a chance. 

The sloth did not move at all. 

Kids are had to get together to photograph let alone look at the camera at the same time.

The owl was sleeping in his roost.  Baylor did not understand why he did not wake up for some zoo chow even when I explained he only ate animals like mice. 

It looks like Baylor is telling Lucas all about this sleeping fox.  I cannot remember much about him other than he was native to northern Africa. 

Outside the pony ride was a trough filled with sand and toys. Baylor and Lucas were instantly attracted to it.  We could have lost Baylor to the sand if we had not distracted him with a pony ride. 

They even have some kangaroos and this joey was hopping over to catch up with his mom.  He was so cute. 

The geese and ducks scurried over when we got walked close to the fence and enjoyed all the chow we feed them. 

Baylor wanted to see the alligators and stood on the steps outside the pen to see them.  We found four of the them pretty quickly. 

Baylor got donw pretty quickly when he discovered one of them moving towards him and when he got off the steps he looked under them to make sure the gator was not still coming. 

One of the few photos that include Lori. 

Beautiful parrots we saw on our way to the safari ride. 

The ride was quite full by the time we got there.  Julie and Lori were happy to take a pass and sit it out on a bench.  I was amazed how big the camel looked standing in the barn.  We were about to see how big he really was in a few minutes. 

We had interior seats which turned out the be a good thing. 

Because the animals come right  up to the wagon and are looking for food.  This is a Watusi and he was not dancing.  Those horns are huge and he was not very mindful of them and nearly took out a few kids and parents. 

He was hungry. 

Meanwhile in the back of the bus, a bison was having his lunch served to him also. 

We saw deer and their babies resting in the shade. 

And Emu.

I stole this from Tara but I don't think she will mind.  I am glad she remembered what he was saying too.  He stood up and told the antelop in the road, "I would like to remind you animals to stay off the road." 

And giant antelope who liked to walk beside the wagon demanding some chow from all the people sitting on the outside seats. 

Here is the giant camel.  I did not get to hear too much about him because she was not very loud and the other side of the wagon was being accosted by the antelope and were quite exciting. 

After the ride, we went to the Budgie house.  Hundreds of birds in a large enclosure all looking for food on a stick. 

Tara lured a bird and handed it to Baylor.  He was good for a few seconds and then wanted to pass it off. 

Tara was a bird luring pro and they loved her.  At one point she was near the door on one side and we were towards the back and the birds all took off at once flying to one side and then the other.  Tara and Lucas were in the middle of it and we were thankfully just specators.  It was a bit freaky but they settled down quickly. 

After the birds we headed out to the exit.  Along the way we saw mama llamas

Lemurs, 'I like to Move it Move it!'

Baylor was interested in the rocks outside and of course he had to climb them all. 

3, 2, 1 Jump

We picked up lunch at Hunan Tasty, beer from Giant (I Love VA) and went back to eat and see of Lucas would nap.  I knew Baylor would not but he did good playing in the tree house.  These are trees in the courtyard of the girl's tree house.  It is amazing. 

After the nap, we took the boys to the spash park.  My son loved it but this time Lucas was not very interested in it.   It was a really good one with lots of rings and was super tall when the center was at full blast. 

We gave him the cup from the zoo and he filled it up as best he could and tossed in into the center. 

When Baylor fell and landed on his elbow, it was time to walk to Pinkberry for some yummy goodness.  Something cold and creamy makes everything better for him and the rest of us.  He went with chocolate, Lucas had strawberry with blueberries, Tara had peanut butter with chocolate chips, Lori had strawberry in a cone and I choose chocolate peanut butter twist with fresh strawberries, kiwi, and raspberries. 

And it was yummy.  I would totally have it again and again and again...

After that we took the boys on the Du Du Train.  That is rigth the Du Du Train.  It goes around the block and was right up the boys alley. 

Baylor and I rode in the comboose, as Baylor calls it. 

Lucas had to be tickled to bring out a smile. 

I really liked this picture and cropped it on the camera and then I noticed the nice little boy in the next car looking right at me.  Then it was a funny picture to me. 

Since Lucas was not into the spash park and Baylor wanted to go swimming we headed back to the tree house. On the way we stopped at the Giant, again, for more adult beverages.  I went in this time because one of my favorite vacation pastimes is visiting local grocery stores.They are different even 150 miles apart.  I managed to fill two bags but you know how they pack bags now, two items per bag max. We changed into approiate swimwear and headed to the pool.  The boys loved it and then the life guard came over and told us it was pool break time and the kids had to get out of the pool for 15 minutes.  Poor Lucas did not understand and just wanted back in the pool.  We decided to go back to the treehouse and change and make dinner. 

After dinner we went outside for some fireworks.  Tara picked up some of the small kind that you throw on the ground and they bang.  I don't know what they are called but we were calling them bangers.  

The boys were excited for the fireworks, not that you can tell from Baylor's face.  He ended up loving them but the noises ended  up upsetting Lucas. 

The neighbor responsible for the fireworks is in the yellow top and red skirt. I do not remember her name but she was super nice and the boys did enjoy it as did we all.  Baylor was thanking her for the fireworks all by himself.  I was so proud of him. 

We headed back to the hotel and we were all beat.  We woke up late, ate breakfast, ran Baylor around the hotel again before going to Wal-Mart. Lori was not happy with her outfit choice for the day and it was a easy place to find something.  We shopped a bit and I was texting Tara who told me about World Market and said I should check it out.  It did not open for another 20 minutes so I wasted some time at Target because that is another good place to spend some time and a bit of money.  We found a few small boat toys for the pool and other bits and bobs and at 10:00 Baylor and I went to World Market.  Let me just say, our next visit with the girls, I am blocking out some time for World Market and it will be my goal to see everything in there! I do not get over whelmed very often and this did it for me. It is a Heidi store and a Tara store, who is my kindred spirit.  Lori stayed in the car and kept texting me when I would be done.  Shopping is not her thing and after Wal-mart and the half of Target she walked through she was done.  I rushed through the store and we headed to the tree house.  We decided to go to lunch, take the boys out, and probably head home.  We decided to go to California Tortilla which turned out to be nearly a soda fun park for us.  The soda fountain was a touch screen system and we discovered you can get flavors added to almost all the beverages.  I had a cherry coke and added lime, which is not very racy but I was pretty over whelmed again.  Baylor wanted a raspberry Sprite and I had a cherry Sprite and added lime again. It was delicious.  Tara was completely intrigued also and Lori and Julie were not as impressed as we were.  It is funny how similar our families are and the personalities in our families are very parallel. 

I stole this from Tara also. It is the now famous soda machine!  

After lunch, we shopped at the cute toy store next door and Baylor left with a new grabber toy and Lucas had a new engine for his train collection.  We took the boys to a local play park to burn off some energy.  I convinced Baylor to go down the slide and he was scooting down.  I asked him why and he said it was too hot.  And it was! 

See how flushed the boys are?  It was hot and walking after them was making us hot.  We decided to call it a day and head home.  We dropped them off at the tree house and little Lucas became very upset when his new friend was not going inside with him.  We headed down the road to home. 

Within minutes, Baylor was out.  It is a good thing for him and he slept until we stopped at the outlets in Gettysburg for some more retail therapy.  What is a vacation without a stop at some outlets right? 

So we are home and I think it was Tara who summed it up on Saturday that it was like Summer in a day and it was.   It was an easy vacation, a fun weekend, a great time with awesome friends, and something I look forward to doing again. 

Other than all the laundry from earlier this week and the weekend.   

Thank you so much Tara, Julie and Lucas for sharing your home in the trees. See you on Thursday.  (it is really late, I am really tired and I am sure I will read this tomorrow and make some edits but I don't want to start the summer behind and then I will never catch up)