Sesame Place

Saturday we took a day trip to Sesame Place and we had a blast!

First I have some general park tips and then I have some family pics to share, so if you want the pics just skip ahead.

Here are some park tips I picked up:

• No shoes, no ride. This seems obvious, but when I saw a man wearing a 4 month old in an Ergo get yelled at by a 16 year old ride operator for trying to bring the baby on the ride I realized they were taking that rule VERY literally. What 4 month old wears shoes?!


• Height requirements- Most rides require you to be 36 inches tall (like the roller coaster and many of the water slides) Henry who is not nearly 3 feet tall had a blast too, and since he's not one for thrills he didn't mind. But if you have a daredevil who isn't 3 feet tall, I'd wait till they grow a bit before bringing them (because the park personnel take the rules very literally).


• Bring a bag that is small enough to put in a locker (2ftx1ft) or bring a wet-bag so you can keep your valuables with you in the water park. I was so nervous every time we parked the stroller that it was hard for me to have fun. But worrying is what I do best...


• Using that waterproof sling for Henry was great because he spent much of the water park time standing with his arms over his head begging to be held or actually in some one's arms. Using the sling saved my back and kept both hands free to take pics and occasionally help Jack.


• When you enter the park to the left underneath the big Rubber Ducky raft slide there is a small shallow pool. There are benches and picnic tables and a little train hand car ride. It's shaded. It's the perfect place to make camp or take a little break. Also a great place to breastfeed, there were lots of moms that chose that spot, it was kinda funny that it was this unspoken rule.

That's enough tips, now it's time for the pics! Henry loved the Big Bird Balloon Race.
Splash park. Big hit for Jack!

Henry, not so much.

Despite some body language to the contrary, Jack LOVED this slide, and went again and again. He just barely met the height requirement (My fave part about this is I was able to go first, then tell the lifeguard at the bottom he needed to be caught and the lifeguard would fish him out. I saw another family, otherwise I wouldn't think he could have safely done this one at all!

Henry could give a hoot about Elmo. His loyalty lies with Cookie.

They loved it!

And that roller coaster? Jack rode it 3 times and then wanted to ride again and again but we bribed him with dinner at Macaroni Grill instead. I love that there were so many restaurants right outside the park because another chicken finger or cheese 'pizza' option would have made my head explode!

Playing Hookie

The Husband played hookie took vacation time today and we went on an adventure to DC to play tourist. We rode the metro, which Jack affectionately calls 'the train', down to the Smithsonian. When we walked into the lobby we asked Jack what he wanted to see first Lions (Mammal exhibit) the Whale (Ocean Exhibit) or the Dinosaurs. Do you really wonder which he chose? Nope. No contest.

Half the time he was like a little tour guide- identifying species (often correctly) with loud exclamations like "Look, Mommy, a Triceratops!!" Or telling me that herbivores eat leaves. The rest of the time he was a sponge. "Mommy, what's this?" He needed nearly each exhibit on the entire first floor explained to him in detail.

We saw the dinos and then checked out the mammals and the ocean before asking him if he wanted to see rocks and minerals (on the second floor). He responded with a resounding "Yes!!" There are a few gigantic 'please touch' samples in the exhibit which we all enjoyed. This is Jack and Henry with the barrel-sized Beryl.

After the rocks we ate lunch down in the museum's cafeteria. For the last 5 years we've gone to DC once each fall and for the last 4 years it's been unbearably crowded, like wait for a seat holding your tray, crowded. Well, finally we got wise and went on a regular work day instead of a federal holiday. Dur!

Then we made our way over to the spaceships and airplanes, better known as the Air and Space museum. We toured the Skylab back up module, saw the planet exhibit, and checked out the "How things fly" kid's section.

Again Jack was half tour guide, half sponge. We learned about Jupiter's big red spot which I explained was a huge thunderstorm. It seemed like an age-appropriate explanation.

When we got home? Root beer floats!

Aaaaand... early to bed for me tonight.

Little Campaigners

Yesterday we went to support our friend (my friend from High School) Eric. He's running for State House of Delegates. Jack was ready to roll up his sleeves and help his son Colin with his campaign.

They held a strategy meeting in their Campaign HQ.

Colin gave a few speeches to let voters know where he stands on the issues. (later bedtime, more cookies- in case you're wondering).

Henry listened to the issues with rapt attention.

Jack also made a new BFF, Dave, (also a friend of mine from HS). When asked to give Mr. Dave a hug he seemed willing at first and then decided he wasn't quite ready for bromance.

It was a big day!

In the eyes of our toddler, it was a BIG BIG day! Today we went to Strasburg to see Thomas! We got there pretty early in the morning, but the parking lots were all full so we had to park a mile away in the overflow lots. Which irked me, until Jack realized we got to ride a BUS to get to the rail station. Irk replaced with glee.

Henry enjoyed his ride on Thomas.

Even the ceilings in the cars were pretty.

They has a little tiny train.

Jack and I had to ride it.

We also rode on the old Strasburg steem engine (which apparently has wine and cheese rides in the evenings. YUM!)

We must have watched the trains pull out and into the station 4, 5, maybe even 6 times.

Trains...

Jack lurves watching the engine chug-chug along.

My in-laws were key players in making this trip so much fun. Extra hands for Jack and Henry. Extra eyes to point out and look at cool train things. Extra people to laugh at the funny things Jack said and the funny expressions Henry made.

I can't imagine how the Husband and I would have managed without them! They were very useful grandparents.

We wouldn't have beel able to take this great family pic, that's for sure!

The day ended, as all good summer-ish days should end, with an ice cream cone.

I took 96 pictures and have about 3 minutes of train video. Which is a mark of a good time!

Serioiusly, I'm marking the calendar for next year's trip. I cannot wait to do this again!!