Independence Week

As usual, the kids get overly excited about the Fourth of July, as they do every holiday. Seriously, their expectations for every holiday are so high that the actual holiday can never live up to their hype. Also, where do they get this from? Is it my fault? Do I overdo every holiday? Sigh.

Fourth of July 2015 was extra fun though, because Grandma Terry flew in from LA the very day of the holiday (remember, Stayc was in China during this time?). For breakfast, I came down to Lutece's very own homemade patriotic pancakes.

The kids and I took a walk at the Arboretum in the morning to expend some energy and get outdoors while we waited for Grandma's flight.

Then we made a patriotic cake . . .

It looks good, but if I remember correctly, it was just ok tasting :). When Grandma got in, we had dinner, ate the cake, and then set off the fireworks from the package in the first picture. They always seem to get more of a kick out of cheap fireworks they can set off themselves rather than the big shows they just have to watch.

While Grandma was in town, we drove down to Berea and did a little shopping in the arts and crafts shops.

We took some girly pictures on the butterfly bench, and I'm trying to figure out where Phoenix was for all of this . . . Hmmm.

Last, but certainly not least, we did the hike at Anglin Falls that the kids absolutely love. It was fun to have Grandma here with us for a week (and a serious relief for me!)

Spring Break: All About the Museums

During our Spring Break visit to D.C., we spent two full days downtown at the various museums and sites. As the kids have gotten older, they have outstripped me in stamina and endurance. After seeing three (and a half) museums the first day, they were ready for another museum. Fortunately, I'm still the one with the money and the car, so we went home (also, museums were closing).

We started at the National Musuem of Natural History, the kids' absolute FAVORITE. I don't even know how many times we've been there, but it never seems to get old.

Then I dragged them to the modern building of the National Gallery. Sadly, due to renovation, all the rooms with paintings were closed. However, we did get to see all the sculpture, which the kids really enjoyed.

As you can see, I had some fun myself.

Luckily, the kids were game.

Such great stuff!

After the National Gallery, we headed to the Museum of National History, one which the kids have never been to in all their visits to D.C. (gasp!). It didn't capture their interest much, but we did get to see the original U.S. flag in all its glory (and dimness . . . it's housed in a dark room). One of these days, we'll go back and do the museum some justice.

The next day, we headed downtown again, this time with Stayc and Grandma DuBravac in tow. After nabbing tour tickets to the Mint (the Department of Printing and Engraving), we drove over to Arlington National Cemetery to visit Grandpa DuBravac's grave and put some flowers on it.

We did the Air and Space Museum and then rushed over to the National Archives (another first for the kids and me) to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Very cool.

We had tickets for the 3:00 p.m. tour at the Department of Printing and Engraving . . . you know, where they print MONEY, and we literally ran the mile and a half from the National Archives to make it in time. Whew! (Grandma sent us on ahead and still made it in time, so maybe we didn't have to run after all :)

This was a favorite museum visit for the kids. The tour was fascinating and it was really cool to learn how they make money and watch them do it. We also learned that Phoenix is worth more money than Lutece. Tough luck, Lutece.

We tried to get into the Holocaust Memorial Museum (which is right next to the Mint), but tickets were all gone. Next time.

How lucky are we to have a Grandma who lives right near Washington D.C.? Seriously lucky.

Spring Break: Mount Vernon

We decided that Spring Break was a perfect time to visit Grandma DuBravac and Washington D.C. this year. Lutece has become quite the travel planner, and I hardly have to plan any of our trips these days. It only took 19 years of marriage and raising two children to finally have help in that department. Thank goodness for a daughter who is as regimented and scheduled as I am.

She had every day planned out, and first on the list was a trip to Mount Vernon, which the kids never seem to get enough of. They love the "tradition" of visiting certain sites in D.C., and a trip there just isn't complete without them.

 As usual, we saw all the buildings, grounds, cemeteries, museums, and gardens.

Lutece takes site-seeing very seriously.

One special addition this year was lunch at the Restaurant at Mt. Vernon Inn, which was very good! We told the kids the story of how Stayc and I got engaged at that very restaurant, some 20 years earlier. It's good to share these places and stories with our kids. I feel very grateful that 20 years later, Stayc and I still enjoy spending time together . . . now with our small family in tow.

Christmas Morning 2014

I had hoped to post about Christmas 2014 before the end of January 2015, but alas, the weekend came too quickly and my attention was diverted to the needs of children.

This was a good, calm Christmas. I was worried when I looked at the seemingly long lists of gifts I'd bought for the kids and saw all the presents under the tree that it would be an incredibly materialistic holiday with a glut of toys. However, when all the presents were unwrapped, I was relieved to find that it wasn't so very much after all. Go figure. 

This may have been due in part to the fact that many of the presents were simple and useful items, such as clothing. Everything Lutece is wearing in this picture was new for Christmas (Did I not mention in a previous post Lutece's current love of skinny jeans, long-sleeved t-shirts, and cardigan sweaters?) The hat (and sweater) was a present from Grandma DuBravac. Since it was the only present under the tree with no name tag on it, and the kids love it equally (after all, it has a penguin on it), they share it.

As I stated, there were lots of useful items (clothing, jammies, a few art supplies), and then some toys to make it fun. Phoenix received three toys that he has loved: the Snap Circuits Rover (see top picture), the Zoob Challenge (see above picture), and Kapla building blocks (see below). All of them are STEM toys (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Phoenix definitely has a niche.
 

I had read great reviews about these blocks and wasn't sure how they would be received, but I needn't have worried. They have been a huge hit . . . with EVERYONE.

I told Stayc that I'll get him an extension pack for his next birthday :).

And even though Lutece loves the Kapla blocks too, this year was definitely the year of the Lego for her. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her legos. We spent the remaining week of Christmas vacation rebuilding every Lego kit we've ever gotten over the last several years. The kids have an entire city set up on Phoenix's large "train" table upstairs. (I think I may love the Legos even more than Lutece though . . . that's what I want for my next birthday :).

I finally convinced Grandma Terry to play Legos with me (yes, me) the day before she left. Despite her lukewarm love of blocks and toys, it was wonderful having her play spend time with us at Christmas. (She does love her computer games though . . . something she and Phoenix share :).

A Day at the Museums

The one museum the kids had been dying to see for the months leading up to our DC trip was the International Spy Museum. Lutece heard about it from somewhere and determined that we needed to experience it. Grandma got tickets for everyone*, and we made a day out of going downtown, visiting not just one, but three museums by the end of the afternoon.

I thought the Spy Museum was fascinating and quite enjoyed myself. The kids enjoyed themselves as well, but will, I think, appreciate it even more in another few years. There were a few hands-on activities, like the above simulation of holding on to the ledge of a skyscraper with a wind-machine blowing on you, or the system of air ducts that the kids could climb around in. There were also lots of cerebral and/or computerized quizzes and activities that the kids *mostly* enjoyed.

Two things worth noting: 1) Lutece really wanted to be an independent agent during our time at the Spy Museum, meaning, she begged me to be able to walk around the museum herself, without having to be with the family. I finally consented, and told her to meet us at a specific time (about 45 minutes later). Even though I was vaguely concerned for her (and I still tried to keep her in my sight), I feel like she is responsible enough to manage on her own and stay safe. I suppose I should have consulted with Stayc on this decision, as he wasn't as comfortable with the idea of her being left on her own. Within 20 minutes, he was searching the entire museum for her. I finally found her near the end and told her she needed to stay closer to the group. She responded, "Mom, I still have 20 minutes. I know because I just asked someone for the time." My responsible little/big girl.

2) Not only did Grandma pay all our entrance fees into the museum, she also promised the kids one item from the gift shop (which was super cool). Lutece had her heart set on a spy watch, and when she found one, most of the cousins wanted one too. Phoenix decided on an all-purpose knife/tool/etc. Super fun stuff!

After the International Spy Museum, we hit the Shake Shack for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. While Stayc, Aleithe, and Annie ordered the food inside, I sat outside and set four different watches to the correct time :).

After lunch and saying goodbye to cousins, we headed across the street to the National Portrait Gallery. Although it is part of the Smithsonian collection of museums, it is off the mall, and thus not as frequented nor well-known. In fact, this was the first time I'd ever been there. It was marvelous! I'm excited to return. The first floor had a collection of modern dance icons, including various videos of performances. The kids were entranced by "Thriller."

Understandably, the kids were not extremely interested in viewing portraits of famous, dead Americans, so I bribed them with Tic-Tacs. If they could identify 10 people they knew and tell me something about them, they could have a pack of Tic-Tacs.

Needless to say, it kept them occupied and vaguely interested, and they were able to identify such American greats as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Andrew Jackson, Pocahontas, and even Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

 

The Tic-Tacs also kept them occupied while we waited for Dad outside the museum.

Lutece fiddled with her new watch and told me what time it was in Sydney, Hong Kong, and 15 other places in the world.

I thought the kids would be exhausted after two museums, but they asked to go to the American Museum of Natural History (their favorite, hands-down), so we walked the couple of blocks to the mall and enjoyed another couple of hours at the Natural History museum.

Whew! All the adults were wiped out by then . . . and the kids look a little tired too. I asked for one final picture on the mall before we got on the Metro, but Lutece wasn't cooperating. I love these next few pictures. I asked them to quickly put their arms around each other so I could take a picture. Lutece wouldn't do it.

Phoenix tried to make her, and I heard him say to her under his breath, "Just do it Lutece. The faster we do it, the faster it will be over with." Smart kid.

She refused, so we finally just got a picture of them side-by-side, but smiling at least. The kids really ARE good travelers (albeit not great picture-takers). I'll take it!

* Sometimes I don't think the kids realize how good they have it with their Grandmas, who are always buying or doing something or other for them. They are very blessed!

A Visit to Arlington

The day after the Fourth (that would be, ahem, the fifth), we spent the morning at Arlington National Cemetery visiting Grandpa DuBravac's grave.

It was the first time we'd been able to see the gravestone in person. The kids helped Grandma decorate the grave with flowers, small flags, and even a pipe-cleaner firework that Lutece made.

 Afterwards, we wandered around the cemetery because, really, it's beautiful.

 

We made it to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just in time to see the changing of the guard.

It was fascinating. I'm glad the kids got to see it.