Sunny Days, Sweeping the Clouds Away, On My Way to Where the Flower Grow...

A few weeks ago, Dad asked me "Phin do you want to do something really cool tomorrow?"

Really Dad, why would you need to ask.  I do really cool stuff everyday, so why would I want tomorrow to be different.  Dad explained that the activity would be really unique and not something we could do everyday (evidently we would not be playing car or trains, and I would not be getting pinched by Amelia).  Eventually, I agreed to sleep really well so that I would be sufficiently rested for our adventure.

So after breakfast the next day, we loaded up the car, put on our sneakers (something unusual for the summer), coated ourselves in bug spray, and were on our way to the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Area  in Maryland.  Boy, were we in for a surprise.  When we got out of the car, it was sunflowers as far as the eyes could see (I'm short compared to sunflowers, so I could not see very far, but there were a lot).

When we got to the fields, I was overwhelmed.  I like flowers and I've always thought sunflowers were especially cool.  However, there were sunflowers taller than Mom and Dad.   In the photo above, I was petting the flower (right before smelling it).  Gooood flower.

After a  few minutes of exploring, my friend Noah (pictured above) and his family joined us in the field.  In this photo, we were checking out a bee pollenating the flower.  I was swatting all of the flowers to chase the bees into the air.  Dad said he was surprised I was not stung. 

For anyone who is wondering, raw sunflower seeds are fuzzy and not very tasty.  I have only had them roasted or turned into sun-butter.

Here's the family in the field.  These flowers were as tall as Mommy.  Amelia may even be standing on a flower (not sure, since I cannot see her feet in the photo).

I call the above photo "the saddest picture ever."  Amelia was not feeling well.  Usually her friend Oliver (Noah's brother) cheers her up, but not on that day.  I think she was sad because her two pointy teeth on the top were cutting through.  Don't cry Amelia, it will be okay.

Oh well, you can check out the rest of our awesome pictures from the sunflower field here.  Until next spring, sunflowers.

Peace Out,

Phin

Car Wash - Take 2

I love cars.  I think it is important to keep your cars clean.  You may remember when Amelia and I washed our Nissan for the first time a few months back.  Well, it turns out we have been neglecting to keep our other cars clean.
 
So the other day, Amelia and I went out back and took care of that problem.  Mom said we were "detailing."  I'm not sure what she meant, because there are no D's or tails on our cars.  But, we did make sure to clean every little piece of dirt off the cars.  Once they were clean and dried (by the sun), Amelia and I got to ride the cars through a mud puddle in the front courtyard... I guess we'll have to wash them again.  :)  (hehe I just made a smiley face).
 

Cleaning every little nook and cranny of my car

Amelia washing her pinkish-purple car too

I'm getting the undercarriage, while she adds more water to her bucket

 
 
Peace Out,
Phin

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July everyone!  What a cool day the 4th is...in addition to celebrating Cousin Brian's birthday and Dad taking the day off of work, people shoot off fireworks here in DC.  Did you know that?  I wonder if they do it in other places too? 

2 years ago, right before Amelia was born, we stayed up very late and got to watch fireworks.  They were fun, but it took over 1 hour to go the 3 miles back to our house (there was a lot of traffic).  This year, we decided to brave the crowds and take Amelia to see some fireworks - she'd never seen them. 

As an added bonus to the loooong weekend, Cousin Lisa and pending-Cousin Doug came in town from Chicago.  For those that don't know, Cousin Lisa runs a photography business on the side - so she took some great photos of us while they were in.

Doug had never been to DC before, so we got to show him all of the sites...  first we took them to the monuments at night (rather Mom did while we slept)...

Here we are showing them our courtyard and sparklers (and some love).  Sparklers were way fun, this was the first time I had ever seen a sparkler - they were like fireworks on sticks.

The next day we took them down to Georgetown, where we walked down the C&O canal.  Did you know they used to take boats down the canal pulled by mules? 

After a trip down the canal, we went to the new waterfront park in Georgetown... we had a great time playing hide-and-seek in the plants.

After the park, we walked through the streets.  We stopped so we could sing a silly song to them . 

Then it was off to the Jefferson Memorial - but with all the road closures, it was like a circus maze getting there (I don't know what a circus maze is, but Dad swears it is an appropriate reference).  Here we are (above) with Skinny Doug (hehe) inside the memorial.  We had a good lesson and conversation on Jefferson's thoughts on freedom and government. 

Next, we braved the July 4th crowds and abundance of Police checkpoints to go see the fireworks.  While I have always preferred a strong executive (counter to that of Jefferson), maybe on this evening he was right on the possible police state a strong executive would bring.

After lots of waiting.. the magic of the weekend finally culminated with a series of bursting lights.  Amelia loved the fireworks, calling out the colors as they exploded... Red... Green... Orangy Red... PURPLE!

How phun our time with L & D was!  Check out all of Lisa's photos here.

Peace Out,
Phin

Summertime Fun - Camping and Strawberry Feasting!

Now that it is nice out, that means it is time for our first camping trip of the year.  About a month ago, we packed up the Nissan for its first camping trip (and my 4th and Phin's 6th camping trip).  We headed down to Westmoreland State Park on an unsually quiet weekend at the campground.  Gifted by beautiful weather (who does not like weather), we had an Amelia-tastic time (hehe, I'm phunny).  

Anyway, after a brief hike, we went down to a beach on the Potomac River.  While Dad looked for shark teeth, Phin and I went swimming in the river.  We splashed, we got wet, we got out, we had a snack, and we then realized that we left the change of clothes in the car.  Phooey.  So I walked back without pants on... no pants Hilbug!

Back at the campsite, I helped keep the mood high and positive (by dancing) while Mom set up the tent, Dad cooked, and Phin got poison ivy.  Oh Phin, don't you know 'leaves of three let them be?'  Unfortunately, I can only count to two consistently - so I do not know when there are 3 leaves, but Phin can count to 39 so he should know better.

After a great dinner and S'mores (my favorite part), it was time for bed.  Phin and I stayed up late telling stories, reading books, and being silly in the tent.  I think it was 9 by the time Phin fell asleep - I tried to wake him, but couldn't, so I fell asleep shortly after.  We all slept until 7:00, whew we were tired. 

After another trip to a different beach, we went strawberry picking - or as I called it, strawberry feasting.  I love fruit, so having a smorgasbord of fruit is fantastic (or Amelia-tastic).

It was such a fun time - Phin and I can hardly wait to go camping again (although without the poison ivy).


Check out the photos from the trip (since Blogger won't let me include them)

Lots of Love,
Amelia