Grandma and Papoo, busy bees, and Happy B-day Ryan!

We have been running around this week with Grandma and Papoo, from the zoo, to the berry orchards, and to the aquarium! Before I continue, I must give major props to my Dad and my cute hubby for working their buns off over the past two days. They have been digging me a garden in our back yard and it is beautiful! We planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, and zucchini. I think with this and the bees I might need to get chickens next!

Grandm and Lily and I went to the super cute Reston Zoo on Tuesday. It is small, kid friendly, and there are sinks everywhere so you can wash your hands as needed. This was a welcome sight for me, the germ-a-phobic mother!

Berry picking at the orchard was a true highlight. Lily knew just what to do with those berries. She picked them perfectly (despite the occasional smushings), and only snitched a few :) The scenery was so breathtaking. I felt like I was in an Anne of Green Gables novel! We took all of our strawberries and blueberries home, and Grandma made strawberry jam, and Papoo made blueberry tapioca pudding! Delicious!

The aquarium was also a treat, a fishy treat of course. We saw turtles, sting rays, sharks, dolphins, jellyfish, one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, etc. Dr. Seuss would have been proud! We had a wonderful time and lunch at Phillip's Seafood was delish.

Lily has been such a good sport and has slipped into the two-year-old stereotype quite nicely all of the sudden! She really is such a good kid; however, there are moments (and now they are NOT few and far between) where she makes her very strong will known! We are working through little and big tantrums with Grandma and Papoo's help!

So, I also checked in on my bees this week. To say they have multiplied in number is an understatement! There were so many bees in that little hive!

I have to admit, I had my first freak out. After checking several frames and seeing all good things, lots of good comb, honey, larva, etc. I had to close up shop due to some quickly increasing anxiety on my part, and my 20,000+ friends! Enjoy the pictures, and soon I will get some more up close photos, especially the queen!!!

PS No laughing at the clown pants....I have to keep the bees out!

So in the midst of all these fun day trips, my wonderful husband and Lily's incredible daddy had a birthday today! Happy Birthday to you Sweetie! We are gearing up for residency year #2! Six more and away we go!