White House and National Mall

The day didn't go nearly as smoothly as the previous days, but despite a few hiccups we made it through and enjoyed our time in the Nation's Capital.

We left Baltimore at 6:15 to wade through traffic heading into DC. I found parking and made it to the White House visitors center with plenty of time to use the bathroom and look around for a few minutes before it was time to start our White House tour at 9am. As we walked from the visitors center to the White House gate I realized I needed my ID which I didn’t have with us. You aren't allowed to take anything in the White House, so I was careful to leave all backpacks and purse in the car, but had forgotten to pull out my ID.  Luckily the car which was not too far away. They said they would still allow us in after our scheduled time. The kids were good sports and were troopers to walk the extra mile to get to the car and back again.

I think after waking the kids up that early, driving through traffic, the walking back and forth and making it through several security checks to get in, the kids were underwhelmed by the White House.  They were hoping to see more of it than the few rooms on the main level that are open.

But as we were leaving the staff at the White House gave out candy for Halloween with the packaging signed by President and Melania Trump so they enjoyed the momento.

We walked back to the car again to get our backpack since it wasn’t allowed at the White House, but we wanted to have it with us for the day. Then went to the explore the National Mall. We started at the Natural History Museum which was fun, but kids were getting hungry after awhile.

 I looked up a Subway which we had a gift card to and it was right across from the Smithsonian, Unfortunately it ended up being in a secure building for employees only. We were directed to another one that didn’t sound too far away but ended up being quite a walk for tired kids.  After what felt like way too much effort we finally got everyone fed, which increased moods dramatically. 

We went to Air and Space Museum next.  Preston loved the Wright Brother's exhibit. 

Brielle was the most excited for the American history museum which ended up being the favorite for everyone. By about 3:30 everyone was done and kept sitting at any movie being shown.  I started going through the exhibits quickly and then guiding them to the fun hands-on parts that they would especially like.  They perked up when we found some fun interactive sections that they didn't want to leave and stayed until closing.

We made it out of the parking garage right before 6 which gave us the early bird pricing for parking. There was more to see but kids were too worn out to continue. I drove them past the monuments so they could at least see some of them. I ended up with 23,000 steps; the kids walked almost all of that also.
We stopped by Costco for gas and dinner on our way back up to Baltimore and kids (and I) were very happy to climb into bed.  

Fort McHenry

After a busy Monday and in planning for a late night, we decided to have a slower day on Tuesday and went to Fort McHenry.  James was able to come with us in the morning for a short time before needing to get to his conference. The kids were enjoying it so much that we dropped James off and then went back to finish. There was an interactive Jr. ranger program, interesting movie (watched twice) and caves to explore. The kids got to change the flag-a larger one is put up during the day.

We went back to the hotel for lunch and all the kids took a nap.

Later that afternoon we walked down to the inner harbor to the American Visionary Art Museum for the Halloween event which kids loved.

The 'haunted house' was perfect for Preston.  Blow up halloween figures and jumping spiders all in a large open banquet room. Just enough to startle without actually being scary.  They got some candy and designed and colored Monsters.  

We then explored the rest of the museum.

It was a combination of fun and strange.

The boy's favorite exhibit...the flatulence wall. 

James met us as we left the museum and we caught a ferry across the harbor to go to the aquarium after we all took a turn to ride on the electric scooter James had rented. 

As part of the conference James was invited to an after hours event at the aquarium and was allowed to have the family join.

We ended the evening by walking back to the hotel and had dinner at 10pm…we’re not adjusting to east coast time. ;)

Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg and Hershey

Monday we planned to head to Pennsylvania.  There were so many options for day trips from Baltimore and it was hard to narrow down what to do. We packed as much into our time as possible for Monday and decided on the following schedule:
8-9 drive to Harpers Ferry
9-11 explore
11-12 drive to Gettysburg
12-2 explore
2-3 drive to Hershey
3-5 explore
5-6:45 drive back to Baltimore
This worked well with the parameters of when things were open (9-5), and splitting up the driving.  But of course only allowed us to experience a tiny portion of what we could have done if we had all day (or multiple days) at each place.

We got to harpers ferry 2 minutes too late.  As in Preston threw up in the car right before we pulled into the parking lot.  Luckily it wasn’t too stinky and I had wet wipes to clean him up.  I think he got carsick as he was coloring during the drive.  We went to the visitors center first to get Ethan's 4th grade national parks pass, but there wasn’t much to see there.  They recommend taking the shuttle to the lower town because of lack of parking, but the shuttle left right when we got there and we decided to drive to save time.  There was plenty of parking when we got there (but the lot looked full when we left 2 hours later). 

There was lots to see and we could have spent a whole day there, but managed to get to quite a bit in our budgeted time.  We crossed the river, stopped at the bookshop, information building (no more Jr. ranger books available as they had run out the day before), stone steps, church, Jefferson’s rock, confectionary shop and John brown museum. 

We were listening to a book “Flashback Four: The Lincoln Project” while we were driving which was talking about Gettysburg and helped the kids be interested.  Gettysburg should have be at least an all day place also, so we didn't do it justice-but I don’t know that the kids would have appreciated that long there.   

The 4th grade parks pass doesn't include most of the tours and we opted out of paying for any extras but instead chose to walk to the cemetery. We probably should have driven, I didn’t realize how far it would be or that there was parking right by it, it was cold and windy but good to walk after sitting in the car. The kids enjoyed being able to see where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address.  (And Preston has been quoting it ever since). :)

We then toured the Mills house which we all enjoyed.  The book was talking about Lincoln staying at the Mills house right as we were pulling up to go there.  There was a lot for the kids to see and explore which gave me time to read more the plaques displayed on the walls about the history.  We all left learning lots of new things.

And then on to Hershey.  The kids were the most excited for this part which is why I left it for the end of the day.  The 2 hours we scheduled was way more than we needed as it was not busy that day and we didn't have to wait.

  The chocolate tour (free) was quick with no lines.  We are ended up going twice. I had looked at prices ahead of time and debated paying for an activity there.  I ended up choosing the chocolate tasting which was excellent and engaging enough for all the kids to enjoy it.  They've been more mindful about eating chocolate since then.  The kids wanted to buy the whole gift shop, but it was expensive.  We got a few sale candy and an ornament and left to get back to Baltimore.

  We got back in time to pick up James and have dinner with him. We just ate breakfast and lunch while driving so it was mostly snacks.  For dinner we went to the Inner Harbor and ate at Pizzaria Unos while we filled James in on our adventures of the day. 

Baltimore, Maryland

James had a conference for work in Baltimore. With all there is to do and see around that area we decided to make it a family trip and tried to fit in as much as we possibly could into the 10 days were were there.  Saturday was a travel day, which went smoothly.  We flew from LA to Austin and then to Baltimore.

James had to go to meetings on Sunday, so the kids and I were on our own most of the day.  We went to church at the Inner Harbor Ward.  The building looked like an old office building in the outside which made us question if we were in the right place, but inside was typical church style.  The primary was practicing for their program.  One of the sunbeams got up and was told his part to copy.  ‘I have agency’ must have sounded like 'say the abc’s' as he suddenly started singing the alphabet song.

After church we went to the Walters Museum for a Dia de los Muertos celebration.  Brielle had just done a report for school about the traditions surrounding that holiday, so we wanted to experience it a little bit.

She was sad to be missing out on the party they were having at her school that week, but was able to tell us all kinds of interesting facts as we explored the museum.

That afternoon we were able attend the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra playing at St. Matthew's Catholic Church.  They played songs from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, etc.  which we all enjoyed.  Every October Baltimore promotes the arts with "Free Fall Baltimore", so both the Walters Museum and Orchestra were free events that we were able to take advantage of.

 That evening we went for a walk up Federal Hill to appreciate the view of the harbor and city.  The kids were mostly excited to roll down the hills. :)

Fall Fun (Family Journal Entry)

Kibaki died.  Kind of a big deal that I forgot to even mention in family journal last week. Her life expectancy was 15-16 years.  She was 16 last month and has been fading the past year so we’ve been anticipating it. 

We had a family memorial service for her on Monday night and buried her in our side yard after sharing experiences we’ve had with her.  She was the perfect pet (clean, not stinky, inexpensive, no one had to watch her when we traveled).  James got her for me for my birthday in 2003 and she’s traveled across the country to Michigan and back with many adventures of being an escape artist.

We went to the pumpkin patch on Thursday and met up with the SoCal Finlay cousins.  After going through the corn maze, squash tunnel, riding the tractor and playing ‘ring the pumpkin,’ everyone picked out their favorite which we painted tonight.

Friday night we went to the football game at the high school.  Preston loved cheering and stomping and was entertaining everyone around us with his enthusiasm.

Saturday morning James helped with campaigning.  The kids got to start the day off with a trip to donut man with Aunt Helen, Aunt Erin and Gramma Finlay.  Tiger tails are always a big hit. 

I then took the kids to volleyball (we had away games in Hacienda Heights, which went well) and then we went to a preschool reunion for Preston. 

We loved his preschool group and since 2 of the families moved we don’t get to see them very often, so it was so much fun to get together with all of them and see the Jamison’s new house.

Saturday night James watched the boys, Brielle watched the Johnson boys and I joined up with some of the women from our ward and stake for the annual “witches night out” where we all dress as witches and go out on the town.

I had a Relief Society Temple Trip on Tuesday and Crafter’s Corner on Friday.  Also a PTA meeting, volunteering in Preston’s class and making breakfasts for James’ employees for Vet Tech week. 

James kept busy with work and campaigns and enjoyed volunteering at the senior dinner on Friday to help serve food.  The kids enjoyed playing with cousins every chance they could as we said goodbye to the Johnson’s who head off to South Korea tomorrow.

 Bonus: (not part of family journal entry) Preston has always loved to give me flowers.  At one point I gave him a limit of once a day, since he picks them from our yard.  It's happening less and less as he is getting older so I wanted to capture this sweet memory.  He was emptying his shoes after school (brings the sandbox home with him), and rang the doorbell.  I answered the door expecting him to have his hands full of shoes, socks and backpack and not being able to open the door himself. Instead he give me a huge smile, hands me the flowers and says these are for you! :)