Longwood Gardens and Pirate-y things

We had another fun-filled weekend, visiting Longwood Gardens on Friday and then spending some time in Annapolis on Saturday.  A friend visited Longwood Gardens last week, and I remember going there with her and her son (my Godson) when he was around 2.  They had a neat indoor water play area for the kids, and I thought Quinn would really enjoy it.  So off we went to PA to experience it:

He called this a "birthday cake"

He caught "ladybugs" in his "basket" for 30 minutes...

...while I took pictures of flowers

The green wall

Treehouse #1

Treehouse #2

Italian Water Garden

I took my Godson on a pirate ship adventure in Annapolis on Saturday.  I thought I'd get to do some pirate-y things, too, but the adults were only spectators.  It sure would have been fun to defeat Pirate Pete with the water canons!  But it was fun watching Caleb have a blast on the ship!

Getting face paint

All dressed up and ready to go

Learning pirate lingo

All hands (and hooks) on deck!

Pirate Pete is spotted out on a kayak

Got him with the water canons!

Drinking Pete's Grog and celebrating capturing his flag

Another fun-filled weekend!

We continue in our quest to experience as much of the surrounding area as possible before we head south.  On Friday, we went to the Maryland Zoo with our dear friends.  We fed a giraffe, saw polar bears, and explored the new penguin exhibit.  On Saturday, we visited the National Arboretum and the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Quinn and Emma checking out the penguins

A sleeping polar bear

Looking for penguins

Taller than all the penguins

Emma feeds a giraffe

Quinn's turn

Posing with the giraffe

Riding a horse

Petting a sheep

At the arboretum

Asian garden

Lace bark tree

Eating lunch like dad

The youth garden

The hugging tree

Capitol columns

Smelling the flowers

Interesting roots at the Aquatic Gardens

The boardwalk

Turtles of all sizes were everywhere!