Vacation Days 3 and 4

On Day 3, Papa Runner and I left all the kids for a day with Grandma and Grandpa and had a "date" at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. That was really interesting and worth the visit. All kinds of memorabilia from different time periods. I especially liked the Inaugural Dresses worn by First Ladies. Brett liked the History of Transportation. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures there.

On Day 4, we took the twins with us to another Air and Space Museum by Dulles Airport. Also worth seeing. It had one of the retired Space Shuttles (Discovery).

He didn't want to go up in the tower
because "towers are for princesses!"

Once we got inside, they all loved
watching planes take off and land.

They want to be the first twins in space:
Sassy the pilot and Monkey the space walker

Vacation Day 2

Our second field trip was to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Some of the highlights:

Exploring a Cockpit

A rocket

A plane

Lunar landing module

Smartie's

Sweetie's (with some help)

The Wright Brothers' Plane

Smartie's is 3D

Sweetie's version

We watched an IMAX on the Hubble telescope

Sweetie looked at the Big Dipper with hers

I especially loved this because Smartie
learned about the Orion Nebula this year.
It was featured in the movie

We walked past the Capitol

Sweetie's version

and Smartie's

Hard at work with her notebook

Our final stop of the day was the National Archives to see the Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. No pictures allowed, but no problem with drawings!  

                      

Family Vacation/Field Trips

My in-laws spent a month in DC at our church house. We were able to spend a week (including travel days) with them. It worked out that the girls had two school days left to finish out the year, so we turned our vacation into field trips. A great end to our fourth year of home schooling. Papa Runner and I, along with my brother-in-law and his new bride, took the girls around the National Mall on day 1. Here are some of our pictures along with the girls' "notes" they took. The note taking is something we started on a field trip last summer, and it really helps the girls remember what they saw.

Washington Monument

Smartie's interpretation

Sweetie's interpretation

World War II Memorial

As seen by Smartie

As seen by Sweetie

MLK Memorial

Profile view a la Smartie

Sweetie dutifully copied it

The Lincoln Memorial

Smartie liked the quote

Sweetie made sure to add shoes

Our "Tour Group"

As we left the Lincoln Memorial, we saw Marine One (Presidential helicopter) fly overhead, make a left turn by the Washington Memorial, and head for a landing at the White House. I wasn't fast enough to get a picture, unfortunately, but it was exciting.

"He's actually in there, Mom!"

Sweetie drew this before seeing it, and was
excited to see there really were guards on the roof

Smartie

Blessed

You know that saying, God won't give you more than you can handle? Well, I must be the most pathetic baby Christian ever. This is what He's given me to handle:

• loving parents who cared for my needs and raised me well
• a husband who loves me and our children and who provides for our needs
• a beautiful, large home
• a van AND a car
• four fabulous children who are smart, beautiful, and well behaved
• a healthy family
• access to quality health care the rare time we're not
• plentiful food and clean water
• a safe city with low crime and no war
• a college degree so I could provide for my family if I needed to
• enough money that I can stay home
• freedom to worship Him as I choose
• a wonderful church family
• sisters who are my best friends
• a great extended family

In fact, I can't think of one problem to complain about. Oh sure, my life isn't perfect, but it isn't a struggle. I've been so blessed.

Home with Sick Kids

We stayed home from church today with sick kids. What do we do when we're sick? Watch Sesame Street videos on YouTube, of course. Is it sad that I know these versions better than the real songs? Some of our favorites:

Volunteer Profile: Marathon Runner

Volunteer Profile: Marathon Runner

How cool is this? I'm the featured volunteer in the September newsletter for the Preeclampsia Foundation!

Weird Dream

Last night I dreamed I was a superspy who could turn invisible. I was having a lot of trouble sneaking into the terrorist compound despite my invisibility. Suddenly, I realize I'm dreaming. I turn to my Handler and say, "You know this is a dream, right?"

He says, "Yeah, so?"

I say, "Well then, I can just *fly* in."

"No," he says, "that's not your superpower."