So Much Fun

So once again I forgot to bring the camera, but yesterday we enjoyed some great family time. Nathan wasn't home in the morning but the kids and I enjoyed going to Shoppers and buying donuts and bananas to eat in the car while we went to garage sales. I found three things that I had been looking for all summer, so the morning was a success. I got a new waffle iron for $1, a glass bread pan for 50 cents, and some flashcards for teaching the kids during school time for the summer. The kids each bought a stuffed animal to add to their collection (using their own money they earned from selling a lot of their toys at our garage sale a few weeks ago).

When we got home, Nathan was in the garage working out. After he got nice and hot and sweaty we all went for a nice swim and ate lunch at the pool. Then we enjoyed a nice nap.

Friendly's (a local ice cream +more restaurant) was celebrating their 75th anniversary and we went and enjoyed free ice cream cones. Nathan lucked out and got 2 (2 employees were making his at the same time and didn't know it). He now thinks that Watermelon Sherbet is the best flavor out there. The ice cream ended up holding us off until 8pm when we had dinner at Burger King. After the ice cream we went to the Herndon Festival. We parked about 3/4 mile away and walked the remainder to avoid paying a parking cost. We bought 30 tickets and I waited in line with Lily and Abigail for nearly an hour for Kaylie, Carter, and Nathan to ride the Ferris Wheel (while they went and rode another ride which had a much shorter line). After the Ferris wheel (which didn't even had seat belts!), we fought our way to the games (where we thought we'd spend the remaining tickets) only to find out that you have to have yellow tickets for games, not pink. We ended up going back to the carousel where Lily and Abigail each rode a horse while I made sure they didn't fall off (once again there were no seat belts). Lily had a huge smile during the whole ride and as soon as Abigail would figure out where daddy was to say Hi, the horse would move so she couldn't see him again, it was funny. Lily had a melt down when she had to get off. The last 4 tickets allowed Kaylie and Carter to each go down a moon bounce slide that they really enjoyed.

After we'd spent all our tickets we were in a rush to get out of that cesspool and overcrowded carnival. There is just something about the carnival atmosphere that seems to attract the most grotesque and dirty things that an area has to offer. We smelled more alcohol and cigarettes while there than I have since I have lived in VA! I was super happy that we made it out of there safely with all of our children. The kids had a good time and the only thing that I really regret is that I forgot to bring the camera.

We walked to the car (by this point my back was killing me and the kids were very fatigued). Surprisingly, the kids got a second wind of energy and started running down the W&OD trail. Even little Abigail ran the race of her young life. She ran faster and longer than she ever has and kept me entertained enough to not think about my own pain. We then drove to BK for a quick dinner and got ready for bed. The kids were overjoyed when they were still awake to see the fireworks from the bedroom windows on the 3rd floor. There is something magical about watching and hearing kids watch fireworks.