The Weekend of Festivals

Lately, my monkeys have been accommodating for various festivals around town. A year ago when Anna was two and Alex was 3 1/2 we couldn't manage this since she didn't listen very well, but this fall (my favorite time of the year here) we've been relishing in all the fun fests.

Two weeks ago we attended a local Oktoberfest (my kids can be spotted in a few of the pix) at our very favorite Austrian restaurant: Euro Bistro. This was the first year they tried it, and I think it was awesome for a little parking lot in Herndon. Great music, great food and great beer. The kids danced and sang and we drank beer.

After that festival was such a success, we tried a wine fest this weekend. Beer.....wine.....we like to introduce our children to finer things in life early. So we drove out to Tarara Winery on Saturday morning for their Great Grape Festival. The kids enjoyed a "hay ride" out to pick apples and ride paddle boats, moonbounces, live music, playground and picnic. Mom and Dad enjoyed a wine tasting and the little local crafts. Because isn't everything better with wine?

And just because we're that crazy, after a day at the winery, today we made our second family trip to the opening weekend of Cox Farms. Us and about 30,000 other Northern Virginia suburban families were there with our coupons in hand for a free visit. I'm not sure if this topped our visit from last year. The great thing was that this year, both kids had no fear of the slides. The hay ride was even more fun this year because the kids were ready to see the witches, alien, and "barn of doom."

After a few workouts and running after the kids, I am thoroughly exhausted. Our next festival?? Probably the Great Country Farms fall festival.