George Washington, D.C. Visit

Before we went on the trip I told Popcorn and Sinatra that we were going to Washington D.C. Sinatra was clueless, but Popcorn kept correcting me: "It's George Washington, D.C, Mom!" He didn't believe that it was just Washington D.C. until the end of the weekend, and refused to say (or let you say) anything but his pronunciation.

These kids keep me laughing!

Jon and a co-worker/friend had business that ended in D.C, so the families tagged along and we all enjoyed a mini vacation.

Here's most of the crew in front of the Lincoln Memorial at sunset on our last day.



Shakespeare in front of the Washington monument.



Shakespeare and his friend enjoyed the hands-on section of the American History Smithsonian Museum. This was a section dedicated to lesser-known inventors.



At one point we packed 9 children into the back of the mini van. Shhh! We made the kids in the back duck.



While visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier the younger boys were as good as gold. The signs all ask for silence and respect. The only peep they made for 10 minutes was when Sinatra leaned over and whispered, "Mom, is he gonna' kill somebody?"

Wild, Wild, Wild, Wild Animals

My wild chickens hatched at our local zoo on Tuesday.


My friend, Melissa, and I braved the wilds without husbands, but with 8 creatures.

Here is Gem with a cougar.

And here are my big kids with the sea lions.

After Gem freed Shakespeare from a giant spider web . . .
We joined our friends: you've met Muppet and Adrenaline, but I'd like to introduce the 6 year old who is sticking out his tongue--"Ondependya" (something he says before he charges--we don't know why), and the little guy standing in front--"Cub".
Popcorn and Cub looking at the gorillas.

Funny moment: I called Gem over to see the rhinos that were mating and Shakespeare came running, exclaiming, "They're still doing it!" A lady next to me laughed and said, "Well, I guess that's one way to teach them."