All Summer with my Superheroes!!!

I have been off work for 5 days now (who's counting... right?!?), and the superheroes and I have been...well... "super-busy".  There are so many things I want to do with them this summer, but I really want to keep in mind what "they want to do", not just things mommy's think their kids want to do  (hard to explain, but my hubby gets it).  Unlike last summer, I am hardly going to dump take them to the gym.  A few times...  fine.  But I know many parent(s) (including myself) are guilty for using the kidspace at our gym as a dumping ground for their kids so they could have some "me" time.  For 4 years, that was me.  But, after working this school year I have a totally new perspective on that...

one.   I REALLY want to spend time with my kids and be around when they are playing
two.   I want to teach MY kids and do fun activities with them, so they can continue to grow educationally this summer and I can see their progress (this is missed when you aren't around for 2 hours, and then give them a 3 hour nap afterwards)
three.  I find that many women at the gym are self-absorbed.  Enough said..  kinda goes with number two.


OK-- now that that is off my chest...  on to some pictures and videos from the past week.

**Warning..  the following days in these posts are out of date order, but at least I captioned them correctly...  my technically-savvy hubby is at the movies now, so I can't bother ask him to straighten these out**
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following video was taken on June 14th, the last day of school.  The video shows some eight graders getting a farewell by the staff.  Our principal (who will not be returning in the fall) is in the purple shirt and tie.

Wednesday, the superheroes and I went to the nature center.  It was perfect weather for it..  not too many bugs, and about 78 degrees.  All of the exhibits are completely finished, as well as all of the nature trails.  We had so much fun, and are going back next Wednesday as well to also see a movie in the planetarium about Sesame Street and the stars.

The building is eco-friendly, and BEAUTIFUL!

Colton Ninja Turtle posing in front of hundreds of bees

Flowers outside of the center

The boys literally ran to get inside.  Colton is the little white speck at the front door....  WAIT FOR MAMA!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, one of my close friends (and neighbor) came over with her 2 little guys to hang out.  They are the same age as my superheroes, and really nice boys to play with.  The 3 of them came over, and by 10:50 we had played in the moon bounce, walked and ate breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts, had Juliana come over and play with us, and of course had some juicy convos.

Colton, Daniel and Blake in the moon bounce

At noon, the superheroes, Juliana and I went to the indoor pool since it started raining outside.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following pictures were taken on Monday, when we went with my mom, stepdad and Juliana to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. by metro.

AHHH!!!  That's a viper behind my little guy!

At the Kid's Farm looking at some cows

These next pics are from today.  I was on my way to take the boys to a huge playground near my house, when I looked down and saw the check engine light on.  As I detoured to get my car looked at, we passed a fire station where one of my friends works worked at.  Anyway, not knowing that he didn't work there anymore, the boys and I walked down to the station, and saw a fireman, who gave us a tour anyway (I also did name drop my stepdad's name who used to be the Fire Chief so he didn't think we were crazy randoms walking by).  The boys had a blast, and got to sit in several different fire trucks and even an ambulance.  They both were given fire hats, stickers, and bracelets!  So fun!

I think tomorrow we are going to our town's birthday party in the evening.  I remember going as a kid, and watching them cut the HUGE birthday cake and participating in all of the festivities.