First Grade

July 30, 2013

Time for FIRST GRADE!!



Picking Green Beans

July 14, 2013

We came back from our trips and jumped into the garden.  The green beans were coming in and it was time to can.  I can't say I enjoy picking the beans in the middle of July, but I do love to eat them.  Having the canned for year round yumminess is definitely worth a the days of picking, snapping, and canning.

Washington DC Day 5

July 12, 2013

Our last day in DC we went to Six Flags America to have some fun.  It was a cold rainy day, but that didn't stop us.  We spent the day on the rides and in the water park.  

As we drove back to the house, we stopped at the Iwo Jima Memorial.  I was beautiful to see it lit up against the dark blue night sky.  

Washington DC Day 4

July 11, 2013

Today we spent more time walking the city of DC.  We crammed in alot today since it was going to be our last day in the city.  Our first stop off the Metro was at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The kids had a blast at the Bug Lecture.  They each got to hold the bugs and learn about them from the speaker.  We also stayed for feeding time with the giant spiders.  Gross.

Next, we went over to the National Aquarium with our kids.  The rest of group headed  to the Holocaust Museum.  Since our kids are still little, we made the decision to do the aquarium instead.  They each got to try on a walrus tooth and a sea turtle shell.  Max wondered if he could grow a giant tooth when his start falling out.  

Max was lucky to get to see two very diffent sets of shark jaws.  The one above is at the National Aquarium.  It was a typical shark of modern age.  The jaws below were at the Smithsonian.  It was from a Megaladon Shark during the dinosaur ages.  It was crazy to see the size difference.  This day was pivotal for Max and he started talking about studying the animals of the ocean when he grew up.  For the time being he has decided to become a Marine Biologist.  I love to watch his little brain spin when he learns new information.

After meeting back up with the group, we walked down to the White House for some pictures.  It was intriguing to see how much police force surrounds the White House.  It definitely made you want to remain calm and not draw any attention to yourself.

Later we walked over the the Memorial for Fallen Police Officers.  The kids found some very tame squirrels here that ate from their hands.  

While waiting in line at the National Treasury Museum, Jonathan gave his speech on the Holocaust.  It was full of facts and very touching as you thought about the loss of life during that period of history.  Next, Tristan talked about George Washington and what he did for our country.  Once inside the National Treasury, we were able to see the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and The Constitution.  

In the afternoon, we walked over the the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.  We all enjoyed seeing all the giant aircrafts.  

We also saw an example of a Moon Rock Box.  This was special to us because my grandfather Pa helped to construct these once he returned from WWII.  He always had a love of the moon and told us stories about what they built for the space missions.

As the day came to a close we headed to the north part of the city to see the National Zoo.  This Zoo houses some of the rare giant pandas.  Shortly after our trip, one of the pandas gave birth.  The kids enjoyed seeing all the animals and relaxing as we toured the zoo.  One of the coolest parts of the zoo trip were the seals.  All the kids sat by the large tank window and they swam all around them.  It was neat to watch the seals check out and investigate our kids.  We all got in some good laughs as they "talked" to us.  

Finally, the night came to a close with my favorite meal . . .pizza.  We ate on a street table outside a pizzeria.  Yummy!!  It was some really good pizza.