Children's Museum Richmond

On an unusually cold and rainy weekend we escaped south to Richmond. After spending Saturday afternoon in a nature park we checked out the children's museum downtown on Sunday. It was really a fun place for Mia with lots of things to see and to play with.

She really enjoyed the little grocery store where the cash register made a "beep" sound when scanning a new item. Sometimes she had return an item to the shelf though:

There was also a little TV studio where she could read the evening news with papa.

A new colleague needed some help:

Mia also drove the ambulance:

For teh creative side of her there was a small theater for some dancing and some puppets

Preschool

For a week now Mia has been attending a preschool nearby. Her "Happy Apples" class meets three time a week for three hours and she seems to be enjoying it.

When mama picks her up she is showing her the puzzles and other toys and would even play a bit longer

Her teacher even managed to get a hug from her

Reston Zoo

After getting soaked by tropical storm Lee for three days we had a sunny and warm weekend. On one trip we checked out a small private zoo in Reston a 30 minute drive away.
It started with a little safari where Mia could see a zebra, a Llama and may other animals from close up:

She had to check out the rhinoceros as well

There was also a small lake with a paddle boat ride

After the ride Mia was busy feeding the ducks


And since it was quite hot a Popsicle was part of the program as well

Boston

We all had fun on our three day trip to Boston. Mia not only checked out many new playgrounds - like this one just behind the hotel - but also got to see a lot of new things.

Chinatown with its restaurants and bakeries was only two blocks from the hotel and Boston commons, a great old park, only a ten minute walk away. Here Mia could study the art work at the frog pond.
We also went on a ride with the swan boat and Mia could feed some ducks after wards.

It was also a good place for a little race with mama:

The walkway on the Charles river needed some clean up:

We also checked out some historic sites like the USS Constitution


Mia didn't like the sailor's hat from the souvenir shop:

After all the sight seeing it was time for a pizza in the North End. We had to wait in line for 15 minutes first..

..and also wait a bit inside but it as worth it.

After wards we sampled some cookies from a Italian bakery in the park where the elevated freeway used to be
In the evening we all relaxed in out hotel suite

The next day we were off to Harvard. After a snack on Harvard square and a tour of the college we also spend time on a nice playground

County Fair

The Arlington county fair was only a ten minute bicycle ride from our place. One of the highlights was of course the pig race. Mia was able to watch it from a good spot on papa's shoulder and enjoyed it so much we had to watch it twice. She even talked about buying some piglets for herself.
She also enjoyed the rides but was not too happy when she had to share the driving with a little boy.

But then later she had a whole bus for herself on another ride.

We also sampled some fair food but Mia's main interest was of course the ice cream truck.

For the motor cycle ride she picked the one in her favorite color:

The whale fish ride was almost too tame for her:

There was also a small circus too watch

Chopsticks

When mama and papa were eating dinner with chopsticks this evening Mia had to give it a try as well. She didn't do too bad and actually managed to eat a few small pieces of tofu and some rice.
After that we went out for a evening walk. Her baby doll had to come along as well and also her dog.

At the right tree the dog had to go for some important business:

Rehoboth Beach

For a short break from the summer in the city we headed to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. Mia did well on the three hour drive and the hotel was only a block and a half from the beach.

When Mia checked out the Atlantic on the first evening her T-Shirt got wet but it was warm enough for just shorts:
The next day we headed for a nice beach in a state park.

One of the highlights there was the ice cream and french fries lunch

Another high light was the Fun Land amusement park.

One of Mia's favorites there was the motor bike