The Red Caboose

This is where we slept in Pennsylvania, in a real caboose! The rooms weren't fancy, but the experience was worth it. Will has said several times that he wants to go back to "the caboose". They had a big playscape and lots of room to run around outside. We also got to watch Toy Story (projected on the barn) outside one night.

This was in front of the restaurant where we had an awesome dinner one night. It was a huge buffet where everything was super fresh and homemade -- all six kids loved the variety and getting to pick out all their food, and especially the desserts.

Posing together.

The Strasburg rail road runs right by the Red Caboose. We could step out of our room and watch Thomas go by. Will was excited to see this "W" sign by the tracks.

Of course Aubrey was thrilled to see that were was a barn and lots of animals on the grounds. They fed some goats and chickens, but the horses were the favorite.

Lancaster county is a big Amish area -- we could also watch lots of horses & buggies go by from our caboose.

Playing outside of our room, corn field behind them.

This was the caboose we stayed in. The kids loved sleeping in bunk beds and on the way home Will asked, "Have you ordered the bunk beds yet?"

Breakfast in the dining car before we went to see Thomas.

We really had such a great weekend with our neighbors in PA. The kids loved having some friends there... we also went back to Dutch Wonderland (an amusement park) the next day, which was also big fun for Aubrey & Will. Next up, we're packing for an 8 hour drive to Myrtle Beach later this week!

Day Out with Thomas

Last weekend, we drove a couple hours up to PA to see Thomas the Train! Thomas was at the Strasburg Train station, which is surrounded by corn fields and other farmland.

Some of our neighbors were there too -- here are all the kids Aubrey & 5 boys!

I'm in mid blink here, but it is the only picture of all 4 of us with Thomas...

Getting ready for our train ride.

We saw this farmer carrying corn on our train ride, along with many cows, barns, silos, horses & buggies, etc. It was a really peaceful day and Will kept saying, "my little toy Thomas turned into a real train!"

School & Soccer

Will had his first day of preschool last Tuesday and loved it! He went right in his class and started playing away. He was excited to see lots of big Legos in his class, since that is a favorite at home.

Getting ready to go...

In his class, right before I left. He looks a little apprehensive here, but he has been all smiles both days when I picked him up :)

Will also started his first season of soccer this fall. He's so excited to have his turn after watching Aubrey play last spring.

Kindergarten

Aubrey has finished two weeks of kindergarten and so far it has gone great! The waking up early is taking some getting used to, but I'm actually liking getting up & ready for the day earlier. Aubrey's teacher is wonderful, each week different animals come to the classroom and teach them different things. Aubrey is definitely engaged and already learning a lot. I am going to volunteer in her class on Thursday mornings and am looking forward to seeing more. There are also a couple pics from the school picnic the first week of school -- playing on the playground and doing the rock climbing wall.

Queen Pony

I got Aubrey this big horse for Christmas last year and it is still one of her favorite things to play with. She calls her Queen Pony, but also says her full name is "Minerva Louise Belterra Parker." She loves decorating her with all her necklaces, covering her mane & tail with bows and piling bracelets on her head as crowns.

You can tell Aubrey doesn't adhere to the idea of "less is more."

A shot of the tail.

After several minutes of unusual silence one afternoon, I checked on Aubrey to see what she was up to...

She was busy fully accessorizing herself with all her jewels!

National Zoo

Last weekend, we made another trip to the zoo in D.C. The kids loved it and Aubrey kept putting her hand on her forehead, shaking her head and declaring, "I have A LOT to learn!" as she saw new animals or learned an interesting fact.

Random Summer

I realized that today it is now September, so I thought I'd hurry and add a few more summer pictures... We went on our first miniature golf excursion a couple weeks back. It was such a nice day that lots of other people had the same idea... The kids didn't seem to mind the wait since they picked out a treat to eat in line.

Will by some "killer bees" at one of the holes.

Aubrey loved the jungle adventure theme and probably had more fun looking at all the decorations than playing golf.

Me & my babies.

Since we've had a fairly open summer with not too much going going, we've spent a lot of lazy mornings playing at home. They've found lots of interesting things to play with, like all the k-cups of coffee and tea. I think a flood was coming and they were rescuing all the ponies.

Posing with their creation.

Aubrey doing some climbing at Jumping Jack Sports.

Will helping Daddy assemble a piece of furniture.

Playing with all the plastic containers.

Will loves grocery shopping when he can use his own little cart.

Playing in the fountains.