Washington Memorial

The Washington Monument was so cool! Garett absolutely loved it because he kept saying it was the tallest structure in Washington D.C. and nothing was allowed to be built taller than it. He liked the story that they ran out of money to build it, so they stopped. When they started building it again- they had to get stone from a different quarry and that is why the building is two-toned. He bought a "Galactic Grabber" at the Air and Space Museum earlier that day, so he carried it around with him and "grabbed" everything he could along the National Mall from the Smithsonian to the Lincoln Memorial. I love seeing his little body in the above picture next to this huge monument...carrying his grabber.

Air and Space Museum

We did enjoy the Air and Space Museum. We saw some amazing things. We probably liked the moon rocks the best, but we also enjoyed the prototype for the Hubble Telescope and the
Apollo Mission Spacecraft. We got to see an IMAX movie about Fighter jet pilots performing their mission Operation Red Flag which was fascinating. Garett was enthralled. This last picture is Garett outside the museum writing some notes to take back to show Dad. He had quite an amazing little notebook when we got home!

We had the greatest flight ever. Garett had the window and he was Mr. Observant during flight. When we were deboarding, he all of a sudden stopped at the door and turned to the flight attendant and said, "I just think you should know- your wing is wobbly and you have a whole in the wing." The flight attendant said, "That is very important. You had better tell the captain." So, she had him go tell the captain. The co-pilot said that he had better take his seat (he left and went and stood in the galley so Garett could sit in his co-pilot's seat. The pilot then gave him the best lesson in aviation including a great lesson radar and 'holes in wings' and autopilot buttons. He had him push any button he was curious about including the red button that takes the plane off of autopilot. He felt pretty proud of himself for setting the captain straight about the wobbly and holey wing. I felt pretty happy the pilot would take so much time with my little boy teaching him about aviation. Later that afternoon, we went to the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum which was fun. It did, however, pale in comparison to his firsthand experience in the airplane's cockpit earlier that day.

Here we come Washington D.C.

Garett and I went on a Mommy-son trip to Washington D.C. to see some of the things that make our country really neat. Here is a shot of us at the airport just prior to our flight.

Bravery

This is how we will forever know that 4 > 3

Orange you haven't fun?

Hair commentary

I got my haircut. I was going through a little vanity crisis when I asked Tate while I was tucking him into bed if he liked my hair better short or long. This was his EXACT answer. "Ya know, Mom, some women have their hair short when they would look better with it long. Some moms have long hair when it would look better short. But you, Mom, look beautiful whichever way you have your hair- short OR long." Hmmmm.... I'm not sure where he learned to come up with an answer like that, but I doubt he will ever go to the prom alone.

Not vegetarians

Every night we come to dinner Marissa has one question, "So, Mom, what animal are we eating tonight?"

Appliances

Garett told me today that I was like an air conditioner and he was like a vaccuum. I just blow my information all over the place and he sucked it all up. Nothing like being compared to an appliance on Mother's Day!

Mom's dinner

The kids were busy at work with Kevin (not shown) cooking up a fantastic Mother's Day Dinner. We had grilled asparagus, capellini pomodoro with fresh basil, and Bananas Foster. The kids love to have jobs in the kitchen! They wouldn't let me help- they put me in Mother's Day Prison- which meant I was supposed to go lay down and take a nap while they made dinner. Okay!

Cindy's Sweater

I told this sweet lady, Cindy, from church that I liked her sweater about a month ago. She told me she got it at the Eddie Bauer outlet about 30 minutes away. I went there looking for it but it had gone off sale, so I decided not to buy it. She later asked me if I had gotten the sweater and I told her that I had not. She showed up at church today with this sweater in a gift bag for me. She said she had fun picking it out. Can you believe someone would do that? It is the perfect size and color and I love it.

Mother's Day with Tate, Garett and Marissa! What a great day!

Goalie

Tate playing Goalie for his soccer team, the Purple Dragons.

Pollen Eyes

No. I did not beat up my little girl. The pollen does that all on its own. Marissa has been the hardest hit this year with allergies.

I caught Garett being sly and trying to sneak out the back door to play outside at 8am dressed like this!

Revenge of the Six-Armed Monster!

Tate's Business Card

One of Daddy's special treats almost devoured.

Harry Potter

Tate is basking in the glory of Harry Potter after finishing the seventh novel. He is proud of himself and ready to dive into new books.

Gator Glory

Marissa is enjoying a ride without her brothers hanging around. She is really into driving all by herself with "no help".

Indian Artifacts

Tate is always on the hunt for an authentic discovery. Hopefully the Museum will write him back!

This is Marissa Carol before school one day.

Missy and Mommy

This is life through the lens of a six-year-old camera boy.

Tate and me sitting outside on the front porch.

Gruesome Grub

 Garett was thrilled with his new cookbook from Grandma and Grandad titled "Gruesome Grub and Disgusting Dishes" and his new personalized apron.

Carrot Man

This is a scene drawn by Tate of "Carrot Man" robbing a bank and being stopped by "Carrot Police". So cute!

Garett's 6th birthday

Tate's bird costume

Marissa's Easter Curls

Easter Huddle

This is my favorite image from Easter morning. The kids had gone through their baskets, sampling candy along the way, admiring their chocolate Easter bunny (Garett's special request!), and found their golden eggs. Then, I look over and they are huddling. When they were done, they started gathering candy into a pile for Kevin and me. They had decided to share their candy because surely we were disappointed at the Easter Bunny having forgotten us! They didn't feel it was fair for them to have candy and for us to suffer without it.

Dinner with Dad

Dad has started making dinner with the kids on Sunday nights. Tonight's feast was scallops and asparagus with a special reduction sauce. Oh- it was divine. The kids were not in love with the scallops but they were awesome sports and totally ready to do it again.

Homemade Easter Suckers

Trouble

Garett and Marissa got in trouble for bickering with each other. I told them to write each other a note saying something nice to the other one. This was Garett's note. Marissa, I love you. I don't want you to get in trouble." That was the nice thing he had to say to Marissa! Ha!

Green Dinner preparations on St. Patrick's Day