Kids were invited to the best Xmas Party ever

The kids got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus again , the magic performing elf, have balloon animals made by a world champion balloon artist and got to visit the candy bar. We really are fortunate that they are always so kind to include us in their festivities! The kids love hanging out with Matt and Ingrid. Heather was chosen by Santa to perform Jingle Bells this year - video below sorry the quality is bad. I have to update the settings on my phone.

Kids Came to Work to Help the Senate Close Up for the Year

As their reward for thier assistance, we stopped at the Vietnam Wall (Heather keeps saying the Vietnameseeeeee wall memorial) and the Lincoln Monument.

Hit Bull Run to See the Festival of Lights.

This was pretty cool - I was the driver so I couldn't get a lot of photos - you turn off your headlights and drive in a line through the dark. A lot of their light displays aren't very Christmasy but we enjoyed it immensely. After you drive through the park, you end up on top of a hill where there was a carnival, marshmellow roasting and a wagon ride. Will we did partake in marshmellows and wagon, I nixed the carnival - too cold!

Christmas Has Started at Chaos!

The tree is trimmed, the yard is decorated - bring it on Santa!

Trevor Turned 5!

Uncle Matt got Trevor an Air Swimmer - it was mobbed by the kids.

Who wants a game of starfish ring toss?!

Magnet fishing in a ball pit - it was a big hit!

Nana rented a popcorn machine - Trevor was so busy he never got any!

Goodie bags.

Homemade chocolate fish lollypops.

We had lovely weather for a November and were able to successfully have his party outside. We fished in a ball pit, had a popcorn machine and a salmon cake. It was a huge success!

Heather got her braces!

What a smile!

Halloween

I forgot to take a bunch of photos and especially neglected the group shot of the Ismail twins (princesses) and Heather Trevor unfortunately. Heather was a cowgirl and Trevor was a piranha (last year for the piranha costume - he's getting too big - can't wait to see what I have to create next year). They were both energized going door-to-door with screams of..."this house gives TWO handfuls", "this house gives um & ums (M&Ms)". Trevor fell behind after a bit and started screaming bloody murder at his sissy to wait up. I had to continuely yell swim Trevie swim. After about 15-20 houses, Trevor was done and dragging his bag - Heather said she wanted "more loot" as we headed home.

Day Before Halloween Activity.

Skeleton fish pumpkin - oooh SO scary.

Heather's first ever pumpkin carved all by herself! It turned out great!

I don't know how they knew he was coming but he found a fish candy ring at one of the treat station stops and was happy as a salmon swimming upstream to find it.

On the way to the pumpkin patch through the safari park.

Soap suds = two excited children.

Sunday we hit the Reston Petting Zoo for their first ever Zoo Boo. It was cold but a lot of fun! There was a creepy critter touching station, a trick or treat trail, a wagon ride into a pumpkin patch where the kids opted for squash and a tiny hay maze that the kids loved to run in over and over again.

Today is "Wacky Hair Day" at Heather's school

This was her first brush with temporary hair spray - she was quite excited. Trevor wanted to have his hair painted too but he has pool time at school today so we convinced him to wait till Halloween.

Getting ready for the closing of the petting zoo for the season

Its October - time for a visit to the Pumpkin Patch!

They were inside a giant inflatable pumpkin catching flying balloons - took this picture through the "window".

Saturdays have been chock full with swim class - the kids are getting really good. We "carved" out some time for our annual visit to Burke Nursery for the pumpin festivities. The kids STILL love the dirt pile.