Over the summer I started training for a Half Marathon that would take place in September. I took the girls on lots of my runs, Haddie in the stroller and Taryn on her bike riding next to me. The girls loved it and would often beg me to take them on a run. Great motivation!!! On the mornings I would have to wake up early and head out before they woke up to get my workout in, the girls would cry and beg to go back out with me. I love that they enjoyed running with me (or in Haddie's case, being pushed by me!)
This is what I saw on every run with the girls. Haddie would sit contently in her stroller, feet crossed and eating her breakfast or snack. She was living the life!
Taryn can fly on her bike!
The morning views were gorgeous and I loved taking the girls on the endless trails around our home so they could experience this beauty.
Don't be fooled though, it was HOT most mornings. We carried lots of water and I was usually drenched in sweat but it was worth it!
My training came to an end with an injury and it made me so sad. But thankfully with a few months of rest and light running in-between, new shoe inserts and a few other tricks, I'm good to go! But I'm not sure if I even really want to pay the money to run a Half Marathon. But will I work to get myself up to that mileage? I will try- and I'm excited about it. But truth is races out here are expensive!!!!
We filled our days with as many park days as we could, meeting up with out friends or heading out to explore a new park. These kids love being together with friends. We would pack their bathing suits even if we weren't specifically going to a place with water because you better believe my kids would find a way to get wet during the hot summer months. Above the girls played in a small river run off (possibly gross but....) and they loved it.
This was my attempt to give summer a different fun twist. Animals frozen in ice cubes. This lasted about 5 minutes but I know now that my kids love smashing things- haha!
By August, my girls had picked out their Halloween costumes. We've learned that 1.) I'm not crafty and don't plan to make elaborate costumes 2.) Buying in August means you get the size your kid needs 3.) Costco has CHEAP Halloween costumes!
We love love love the Yards Park in D.C.
We've grown out of splash pads (though we visited a few) but I did notice that with the decline of splash pad visits, my kids did not get sick at all this summer. Correlation?!?
Frying Pan Park Fair was great for kids 3-12 years old. But man, I wish people would do fairs in the spring or fall more often. It's just soon hot out. This weekend we did actually was beautiful so we lucked out!
Happy 5 Years of living in Virginia for the Smiths! I never thought we would be here this long, but here we are and we love love love it! It's far from family but we've been blessed with many visitors and opportunities to go back West to visit them.
Teaching my girls the art of selfie stick picture taking... I think they got the hang of it, though it's still too heavy for Haddie to hold with the extra length added on.
Sometimes our family adventures take us into D.C. and around the monuments. We've mastered parking and how to get around. That doesn't take away the frustration that sometimes comes with finding the right spot and the heavy traffic.
Those scooters have been the best purchase for both girls. They love to see the city via scooters and we're getting further and further away from the stroller. I love it!
Heading into D.C. with friends to check out special exhibits like the new Narwhal exhibit. Truth be told, I had no idea narwhals were real. I talked to one of the Natural History Museum's staff about how I'm not the only one who thinks that way. Crazy! We learned so much.
Taryn and Hadleigh mastered puff pancakes all by themselves during one hot summer day. I was so impressed and they loved the process. They've mastered egg cracking.
Biking and biking all around town. To school, on walks, at parks and more.
Haddie LOVES her dress ups. Everyday she tries on at least one costume. Sometimes she sticks with one all day long, but there have been times where she's gone through at least 6 in the course of the day. I love her creativity!
These curly haired twins will be separating soon which is so sad. But they've had so much fun while these past years!
Summer picnics - our favorite!
Taryn showed us her drawing of our family face timing with Grandma.
I thought it was very sweet that she showed this moment that she loves. So thankful for technology that makes it possible to connect with family that lives far away.
Haddie's drawings are getting better and better. She makes cute birthday cards for her friends and tells stories about the people she has drawn. This stage goes by so quickly where they draw stick figures. I have one of my drawings in a baby photo book that is so cute and I want to make sure I capture these beginnings of her drawings.