adventure playground

After hiking around Sugarloaf Mountain we wanted to take the kids to Adventure Playground since it was nearby. We were running out of daylight but were determined to surprise them with a stop at a park.

And then we ran out of gas. Waiting at a light to turn into a gas station. It was too far (and uphill) to push the car so I hung out in the stranded car with the kids while Ben ran to the gas station and bought a gas can. It was incredibly annoying to run out SO CLOSE (and have to pay for that overpriced gas can) but also incredibly lucky. We were so glad we weren't stranded on the top of Sugarloaf Mountain (where Ben first realized the tank was well below E).

But we made it! If you ever find yourself around Germantown, Maryland, you should make a stop at the Adventure Playground. It's pretty amazing. A huge castle, ship, animal statues to climb on, and fun swings. We arrived just as it was getting dark but it didn't stop the kids from playing like crazy until we couldn't see anything anymore. We were near Ben's parent's house so we got to stop by for some dessert after the park. A great way to end our day.

a hike with a view.

A few Saturdays ago we were in the mood for a hike and it was a gorgeous fall day. We decided to try Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland for the first time and the views were incredible. The drive to the mountain was beautiful through the countryside. You actually drive to the very top of the mountain so you don't even have to hike for the views, but then there are several trails to hike around on at the top. It was really crowded at the scenic overlook by the parking lot, but the trails were pretty empty.

The girls absolutely loved the hike. It started out really steep and we had to climb up a lot of rocks, which they thought was awesome. They pretended to be mountain goats and climbed on anything possible. There were big boulders everywhere so that was perfect. We were going to keep the hike short, but nobody was complaining so we kept going and enjoyed the scenery as long as possible.

 

 

Can you tell Elsa fell down a lot?

Oliver was getting antsy to get down and run.

ghost ship.

Ben and I happened upon an excellent activity for our date night a few weekends ago. The Navy Museum hosts a ghost ship tour just for one night in October every year. It turned out to be really fun. Surprisingly, it was free and not crowded. We got to wander around the museum a bit before our entry time. It's actually a really cool museum.

They do regular daily tours of this ship, the USS Barry, that is docked in the Navy Yard. We might have to return during daylight hours to really see what it's like inside. They sent groups in one at a time to make it scarier. It was fun to descend the steps into the ship with Ben and then start wandering through the ship, waiting for crazy people to jump out at us. Which happened around nearly every corner. And there was always some creepy figure following behind us whenever I dared to turn around. It was definitely the perfect creepy setting...dark, tight quarters. They had some good, scary make-up and costumes. There were some especially gross things happening in the kitchen area.

We'll have to remember the ghost ship for next year. They actually open earlier in the evening for less scary tours for younger children. But I'm pretty sure our kids would still be freaked out.

 

After the ghost ship tour we headed to Graffiato (one of Mike Isabella's restaurants) where we were lucky enough to be seated right away. We had the most delicious food. I love the concept of small plates because it allows you to try so many different things.

They had delicious house made sodas. I tried the cardamom cream soda and Ben tried the five spice Ginger beer.

Scrumptiously prepared brussels sprouts (with pancetta, maple, and yogurt).

We also tried the crispy lamb, hand cut spaghetti, flatbread with pepperoni sauce (so good), and the countryman pizza (with black truffle, fontina, and egg).

And dessert of course. A pear crostata with pumpkin sauce and cream.

fall at fort hunt.

playing possum.

The other day I stepped outside to throw something in the garbage and was shocked (understatement) to see some creature staring back at me. I ran back inside so quickly that I wasn't even sure what it was. I sent Ben to check out the situation (the kids followed close behind). It was a dead possum. Or was it dead? It honestly looked like it was playing dead with his tongue sticking out and his eyes wide open.

Oliver immediately ran to it and nearly poked him in the eye but I think my screams stopped him just in time. Ben had quite an audience as he shoveled the thing up (I was still sure it was going to pop up and run away) and put him in the garbage.

I always check for possums (or other rodents of unusual size) when I take the garbage out now.

Let's all gather 'round the dead possum.

Halloween at Dutch Wonderland.

A few Saturdays ago we surprised the kids with a trip to Dutch Wonderland (an amusement park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that is specifically designed for younger children). We had originally planned to go on Labor Day but were rained out. We loaded them in the car and listened to their anticipation for two hours ("PLEASE tell us where we're going"). They were thrilled when we finally arrived.

Things got a little dicey for Ben after he rode a nausea-inducing ride with Amelia. He had to sit out a few rides but eventually felt better. We tired ourselves out and stayed until closing time and then made the long drive back home with three sleeping but very happy children.

Amelia excited and a little nervous for her first time sitting in the front on the big roller coaster.

Trick-or-treating!

The Wonder Whip! Everybody's favorite ride. Oliver was laughing his head off and the girls would scream and laugh every time it whipped them around the corner. They rode it over and over again.

Finishing off the night with some pumpkin funnel cake.