Someday

I will have a life. Right now it is all about the kids. Not that I mind, but it is nice to feel like I have some sort of identity every now and then. At least I have the reputation of being the cool mom. That has it's advantages.

Trevor - Basketball, basketball, and basketball

Lindsay - Babysitting, babysitting and choir

Shelby - Volleyball, art, piano

Jillian - Art and piano

Ron - Work, work and more work

Me - Just trying to keep us on schedule :)

D.C. Trip - Friday

The kids showed up at 10:30 and were looking tired and worn out, but there was no time for showering, napping or kicking back.

After a quick trip to the food court, we were off to the Capitol, took some pictures and then went to the Senate Office building to sing for Mark Begich. He and his staffed were very welcoming. The kids sang great.

We then walked the length of the Mall and headed towards the Washington Monument. Only a few kids made the trek, the rest collapsed about halfway due to exhaustion!! Oh goodness, it was 76 degrees and they acted like they might die. I guess they are true Alaskans.

Annie and I were in need of a restroom, so we headed into the Smithsonian Institute and were welcomed by the "Pile of Loot" from "Night at the Museum." I can't remember this scene at all. But it was an interesting.

Some of the girls wanted to find the swimming pool at the University of Maryland last night so of course Annie and I went off with them. The hotel gave us a map. How hard could it be?? Apparently quite hard. We wandered all over. We finally found the pool, decided it was in the middle of nowhere and headed back to the hotel. Watched a baseball game. Got lost. Asked for directions. Got lost. Asked again for directions. Found our way. Some kids asked us for directions. We directed. (We were quick learners)

Once we finally got bak to the hotel it was about time to check on the kids and send them all off to bed. Long fun day.

Thursday in D.C.

Annie and I are feeling like D.C. pros. The Metro, busses, shuttles, Express...we've got it all down. I'm not so impressed with the politics here, but they sure have figured out their public transportation. I guess that is one positive thing.

We went to Mt. Vernon today. It was a beautiful ride there. The old homes along the river were quite impressive. It is an interesting thing to stand wherethe first President stood. The grounds are gorgeous, very well kept.

We met a friend of Annie's for lunch. Then we were off to sightsee again. We really didn't have much time. The Smithsonian Museums all close at 5:30! But we did see our first D.C. Rally and a protest, chatted with the Secret Service, saw some important Afghan or Pakistani officer, and watched as many "important" people flooded a hotel amid hordes of m

ore Secret Service. It was all very entertaining. Oh, and we walked by the White House.

This is the most amazing escalator. It has to be more than five stories high. What on earth if you tripped. Yikes.

Went back to Georgetown for the evening. Wandered around, got a bite to eat and headed back, only to miss the train that would get us back to the airport in time for the shuttle to the hotel. We ended up taking a taxi from the airport - $23 dollars later, we were home from another educational day.

D.C. Trip - Wednesday

Okay, I know it's been forever - but my life just hasn't been too news worthy :)

However, it is most interesting now. Here are some pics of my first full day in D.C. with Annie. The weather was fine most of the day, and then it got rainy. No worries though. We didn't melt.

The day started out funny. We got on the wrong train, but ended up going somewhere we had heard about. The architecture is amazing here. The brick sidewalks and old buildings, churches, cemeteries and history envelops you. I honestly could spend two weeks here and still not see it all.

Of course we had so start with coffee.

This old church was beautiful.

The sights are truly everywhere.

The Metro provided great entertainment. It is a great way to travel.

The Holocaust Museum didn't allow pictures. It was an experience I hope I never forget. I can't even begin to wrap my brain around the horror of it all.

The Museum of Natural History was another story. Pictures a plenty. The evolution garbage is everywhere. 300 trillion billion years ago dust particles "gently" collided into each other....blah blah blah. I have yet to understand why some so-called intelligent scientists find their theory easier to accept than "God did it."

The Hope Diamond. Wonder if they'd let be borrow it??

What to do tomorrow??

Dangers of the Nintendo Wii

                                      


Who would have thought that the Wii could be such a dangerous toy.  Trampolines, roller blades, bungee jumping - now one might expect an accident.  But the Wii.  A video game.  A simple controller.  Buyer beware!  The Wii could be hazardous to your health, or your child's.

Lindsay was up next.  I had just had my rear kicked on Jillian Michael's Workout.  I was pooped.  Lindsay's walking, stretching, walking, bending, and then back to walking.  I'm chatting on the phone, when all of the sudden there is a scream.  A wail.  Someone is officially dying I'm sure.  Lindsay said her foot slipped off the edge of the Wii Fitness Board.  Being the good mom that I am, I tell her to walk it off.  She whimpers.  I'm thinking, come on babe, it isn't labor, walk!  Dutifully, she walks.  I'm watching her attempt to walk, and I ask to look at the ankle that she says she hurt.  Duh!!! It isn't the ankle.  I notice that there is an odd protrusion on the side of her foot.  Broken?  Maybe walking isn't such a good idea.  Ice, that's what we need!  Elevation!  We decide to let her go to bed and check it in the morning.  

Morning arrives...the foot doesn't look or feel any better.  So off to the Doc in the Box.  X-ray.  Definitely broken.  Crutches.  Wrapped.  Off to the orthopedist.  The break is at an odd place, right next to a growth plate.  The broken part is floating...possible pins.  Oh, no!  After the Doc looked at it, he assured Lindsay that it would heal just fine, BUT she was not allowed to put any weight on it for SIX weeks.  That is an eternity to a 12 year old.  

                                    

Lime green was the color of choice.  

                                                             

She is learning to walk with crutches.  Her first break.  This will go down in the Howe family history.