You didn't really think I was going to be done with posts from Maryland did you? It's amazing how much one small family can fit into a vacation … especially when one particular mother doesn't want to be holed up in a small one bedroom hotel room with kids who are bored.

Although we stayed in Baltimore, most of my husband's family live outside the city, so there were plenty of occasions for us to load up our rental car with layers of clothing and head out on an adventure.

Imagination Stage

I was lucky enough to meet up with two friends and their families (they each have a set of twins around Marisol and Flynn's age) while we were on vacation.  We met at the Imagination Stage, thanks to the brilliant suggestion of one of the ladies, where we saw Seussical.  Which I loved, probably more than my kids, but they did thoroughly enjoy it too.   If you have a chance to take in a live show, then head here, and just a short walk away is Rock Bottom for a meal afterward.

You can find details on classes, current shows and ticket prices on the Imagination Stage website.

The Fire Museum

This museum is fabulous for all ages, from little ones who are fascinated by fire trucks and firemen, to adults who love to look back in history.  Not only do they have the 3rd largest display in the world, but they also have a large play area for kids, and we were lucky enough to be there when they had their holiday train garden on display, which of course was fire themed.

You can find details more details including ticket prices and when they are open on The Fire Museum website.

Kiddie Crusoe

This may not be the size of the Port Discovery Children's Museum, but it's still 12,000 square feet of fun for kids.  There is a huge fort full of slides, swings, and climbing structures, a room of inflatable bouncers, gaming stations, and themed rooms, as well as a cafe to purchase snacks and beverages.

You can find more information about hours, fees, and events on the Kiddie Crusoe website.

Eden Mill

We were paying a visit to the cemetary where my husbands aunt, and grandparents are buried, and showing the kids his old high school, so I quickly sourced a place that we could get out and go for a short hike and breathe in some fresh air for a while.  It didn't take me long to find Eden Mill Nature Center, that also had a number of short hiking trails through Eden Mill near Deer Creek.

You can find more information the nature center and download a map of the trails on the Eden Mill Nature Center and Historic Grist Mill Museum website.

United States Naval Academy and Annapolis

On our final day of vacation we were not flying out of Baltimore (BWI), but instead flying out of Washington DC late in the afternoon, so we packed our suitcases early, checked out of our hotel and headed to Annapolis to tour the United States Naval Academy, where my husband had graduated, and then enjoyed lunch in town before making our way to Washington DC for a quick driving tour. Jay was at the perfect age for touring the Naval Academy, he really enjoyed seeing the grounds, the dorms, and the academic buildings, especially seeing as this year he will be looking into colleges.

The first lot of photographs here are from the Naval Academy.

These few are from Annapolis.  If you are looking for a great place to eat, try Mangia Italian Grill & Sports Cafe.  Upstairs they have paper on the tables with crayons for the kids, there is a fireplace and the meals are delicious.

You can find more information about the United States Naval Academy and visiting Annapolis on their respective websites.