Washington

Aaaargh - these pictures are loading so slowly. And there are so many to load ;). But here are a few for today.

These are from the National Museum of American History.

Beautiful weather. We were so pleased to get to see this museum. It has been closed for over a year. We had been able to see a few pieces of china the week (literally) before it closed, but that's it. So we were ready! We spent the entire day there, only leaving for lunch and some live music nearby. We saw Oscar the Grouch and Kermit the Frog, Dorothy's ruby slippers, and Abe Lincoln's hat, loved the First Ladies' gowns, and compared the size of our hands with Abraham Lincoln's,

Kelsey used some of her money to buy a disposable camera. Here she is taking a picture of Dumbo. I did the same thing :-).

There were lots of hands on activities. Keegan is wind surfing, trying to balance the sail.

The girls played with colonial toys... and spent quite a long time in an inventors display. We also enjoyed a lab area. Here, Kelsey is performing an experiment with acids and bases.

All in all, a great day.

Live from the Kennedy Center...

Caitlyn and I went to the Bolshoi Ballet at the Kennedy Center. It was wonderful. The dancers were amazing. We got to sit on the second row. Because she looked "so elegant," an artist sketched Caitlyn during intermission. Owen Wilson (from "Marley and Me") came in at intermission. He wasn't as exciting as the dancers, though ;-).We were very excited to see that the show was sold out and we had tickets ON THE SECOND ROW (I know I already mentioned that, but it's worth saying twice :-)

Caitlyn was especially impressed with a long series of fouette turns. And a complicated lift that we don't know how to describe. I especially liked some leaps of the Pirate King which we also do not know how to describe, but you can just know that they were super!

Finally, their corps de ballet was always together, even in fast parts AND they kicked their legs and jumped to the same height as their partners AND their knees were always straight!

Ooh la la - Caitlyn and I had a very healthy lunch on the terrace -

Chocolate mousse, cannelloni, and chocolate Napoleon No photos were allowed once we went in for the show, but here is a picture of the stage, taken during the tour. It looked much different a couple of hours later!

The costumes and scenery during the show were amazing.

It was a pirate story and at the end the characters were on a big ship on stage. The water looked real, constantly moving. They used a scrim which we knew what it was thanks to our experiences with Miss Lori Ann and Miss Marilyn. A big storm came and the ship broke in two, tipping and throwing everyone into the sea. I don't know how that ship split into 2 pieces, but it was so cool!

Kelsey Quote

Daddy.
Daddy.
DADDY - How is your nap going?

:-)

Home again, home again

We are home from a SUPER trip to Washington. Some of the highlights...

The Bolshoi Ballet was incredible!!!! We loved, loved, loved it!

Kelsey likes buying souvenirs ;-) - she has 2 new books of paper dolls, a t-shirt, a new dress, and a stuffed puppy (it's from Build-a-bear, totally unrelated to anything in Washington, but it was her money.... lol)

2 hours is a long time to be crammed into a very hot, very full Metro car because of delays,

but people were still nice to the girls

the swimming pool was cold

we are very glad the Smithsonian American History Museum was open

"Troy," the lead guy at the dinner theater's "High School Musical," was also our waiter. He waited on our table, went and did the first half of the show, came out and refilled drinks at intermission, then went backstage to finish the show! Too funny.

you can listen to one CD a lot of times in one week :-)

George Washington is on Facebook

I can drive in DC traffic. Yay, me. Not that I would want to regularly

riding the Metro is fun

trying to stand the entire ride without holding on to anything is even more fun

spinning around poles in an empty Metro car is possibly the most fun of all

the National Building Museum is, appropriately, in a gorgeous building

long escalators are fun

falling backwards onto a hotel bed is really fun

we love that Geico let us go along - YAY, Geico.

still loved the Bolshoi Ballet

it's very cool to touch a moon rock, even if you've done it before

the Smithsonian knows that kids like hands-on displays and has some very cool ones

there are many fun photo ops at Madame Tussaud's :-)

seeing Abe Lincoln's hat is cool, no matter how old you are

we like viewing very old clothes

the Smithsonian has a war boat from the Revolutionary War - WOW

sleeping (or staying awake :-) in sleeping bags is fun

Mount Vernon has a gorgeous view AND a very cool kids area

the girls and I love to travel

And finally,

Dorothy (whose shoes we saw :-) was right that there's no place like home!

BRB

For the two of you who read this who aren't on Facebook ;-), I am thrilled to say that we are going with Bill on an unexpected vacation (ok, he will be working, but for the girls and me - it's a vacation!!!) See you in a week!

In case you can't read the sign it says, "We're happy."

Kelsey Quote

Checking out a roller coaster, "If I liked going upside-down, I bet I would like this one."

Kelsey QuoteS

Falling on a slide, "Oh. I don't know if I like that."

Singing with a CD, "'So get your groove on with us tonite' - pause - but we have a conflict."

Kelsey, "Please take my Pollyanna [hairstyle] down."

Me, "Down? Before you swim?"

Kelse, "Yes."

Me, "Won't it get more in your face that way?"

Kelse,"Yes, but I'll like it."

Ooooookay.

"It seems like all day since this morning."

That's my girl :-)

POOL PARTY!!!!

Kelsey got very brave about jumping into the pool. She even put her face underwater a few times, voluntarily!!!!

Go, Kelse!

Keegy going off the diving board Keegan and Sophia

2 girls + 1 tube = funny

Isn't this the cutest picture???? It's my favorite of the batch.

Kelsey and her sweet friend Tyleah had lots of fun jumping in the pool together

So much fun!

Keegan Quote

Eighty-five days until my birthday!!!!!!


She has a 22 item wish list made out already, too. Lol :-)

Another Dance Performance

But not ours :-). We got to see some of our friends dance this weekend.

Caitlyn and Emma

Caitlyn made this shirt herself in case you want to be impressed :-). I am.

Our good friend Peter

Alicia - see note below

Keegan and Kelsey with their good friend Sophia The girls with Caitlyn's very oldest friend, Lindsay. They met before they were even 2 years old.

(Note to Alicia - Please, please don't leave us!!!! )

Keegan Quote

" I am the Eggman."
LOL - she's been brainwashed by the Beatles!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Yee-haw!

At the rodeo

The youngest future bull riders rode sheep!

Pretty amusing to watch :-).

Still loving my camera.

See how I can take pictures of moving subjects now??? Yippee!

It was tempting, but we did NOT bring home a free kitten :-)

See you next time!

Kelsey Quote

Riding in the car with Bill,
"Boy, you sure did pick up speed quickly!"

Gymnastics

Kelsey Quote

If I get a brown fish, I may name it Hash Brown.

Silly sisters

Toys and games of the 1800's

I have been inspired by a friend of mine who is posting on Facebook everyday pictures of the neat things she and her daughter are doing over the summer. I don't think I can keep up with her (I am sure her pictures upload more quickly than mine do), but am definitely encouraged to post more :-).

We went one morning to tour an old house and learn about games and toys of the 1800's. The most startling thing we learned is that when the house was built, chicken bones were mixed into the walls in the mortal. There. Your history lesson for the day. More than you ever wanted to know. I have no idea why. I was so taken aback that I didn't even think to ask.

Playing graces, a game in which you throw and catch a ring on a stick or sticks. It was supposed to make the girls graceful.

Will Keegan be able to catch it? You'll have to live in suspense. I don't remember if she did or not :-).

Kelsey, ready for the hoop race.

Making marbles out of clay

Wordless Wednesday

End-of-year Dance Rectal

I can't believe it has taken me this long to post recital pictures, but obviously it has :-). This year Kelsey was in 1 ballet and 1 tap dance. Keegan was in 2 ballet, 2 tap, and 1 musical theater. And Keegan and her friend Sophia got to choreograph and help teach the dance for the preschool class. Caitlyn was in several and choreographed (with a friend) 1 :-). Good times all around. Here ya' go.....

Keegan's ballet. She is in the center.
Caitlyn in partnering class

Kelsey in black in the centerClogging - Caitlyn on your right

Performing a scene from The Sound of Music

Caitlyn and Keegan

I know I posted this one from partnering already on Wednesday, but it's worth repeating.

Beginner pointe class

Caitlyn and her friend Rayonna choreographed this dance
Kelsey's ballet. She is kneeling, to your right

Ballet

Caitlyn with the orange and pink sash

Tap

Keegan is playing the (imaginary) drums

Keegan on your right, Caitlyn in the center with the hat

Keegan center right, Caitlyn right

Group shot - that's Kelsey in the front row with the tutu around her head - it's for a dance where she was a flower :o)

I can't believe it's done for the year. We're so dance focused so much of the year, it's a huge change when classes end.

What a great studio and teacher my girls are blessed to have!

Waterpark #2

Hmmmm, just found this draft I had started of more waterpark pictures. Well, it's more fun to see them spread out than all at once anyway. Yeah, yeah, that's what I'll tell myself ;-)

Kelsey and Bill

Playing with the underwater case

Caitlyn and Keegan loved the waves in the wave pool.

Cookout!

Thanks, Lisa!