Family trip to the National Cathedral #family #vacation #washingtondc

The National Cathedral is an impressive building.  It was raining when we came outside, so we didn't tour the grounds.  If you drive here, it's pay to park as well as pay to enter.  They're still recovering from the 2011 earthquake and are fundraising with legos (building a lego cathedral replica).  While I was there I lit a candle in remembrance of my sister (see my instagram for pictures). 

Family trip to the National Zoo #family #vacation #washingtondc

This wasn't our last stop of the day, but I took a lot of photos here.  We drove over early as we didn't want parking to be gone.  It's $25 to park at the zoo, even though the zoo itself is free.  There were food trucks scattered around for a choice of edibles.

Family trip to the National Arboretum #family #vacation #washingtondc

We actually did this one the same day as the Air and Space Museum.  With so much there being closed, we had extra time.  So we wandered into the Arboretum to check it out.

Inside and outside, there's a lot to explore.  There's even a children's garden with mister, area to dig, and more.

Family trip to Air and Space #family #vacation #summer #smithsonian #washingtondc

Our timing was really off for part of this trip.  2/3 of the Air and Space Museum were closed for renovations/updates.  So, it really didn't take us long at all to get through.  After we finished with the art, this is where we headed.

Family Trip to National Art Gallery #family #vacation #summer #washingtondc

There's plenty here if you're a fan of what I would call 'classical' art.  The first floor is filled with art (painting & sculpture) in both wings.  Downstairs is the gift shop and other types of art (furniture, dishes, etc).  All of it worth the time to take in.

While we were there we also saw painters practicing by duplicating some of the art work in the gallery.  Fascinating to watch them work.

Visiting Zoo Atlanta on a whim #family #summer #nicemorningout

I rejoined the Atlanta Zoo this year. I took my kids plus two out a month or so ago. I decided I wanted to get out again Sunday morning, so I convinced everyone to get up "early" so we could be there by 9a. Until October, members can get in 30 minutes earlier on Sundays, so I really wanted to take advantage of that. Especially given that one of the lots is currently under construction which can make finding a parking spot near the Zoo an issue.

With the construction going on and several exhibits closed, it only took us about 2 hours to go through and see everything.  The nice part was that it wasn't overly hot by the time we got home.  Below are some of the shots I managed to take in between Poke-hunting.

Goofy things kids do

Out of the blue the other day, my daughter decided she wanted to try an experiment. She asked for balloons, but when she couldn't find them she changed it slightly. Water in a ziploc baggie pierced by a sharpened pencil.. no leak.



She expanded the experiment a little..

Off to a Slow Start

I don't know about you, but my summer is actually off to a somewhat slow start. I'm not counting last week's work schedule. This isn't a bad thing, it's just what it is. So far we've not done much more than have a sleepover one night at home and send my kids off to one another. It's not hugely surprising. Many of our friends have already had their family trip (or are on it), we don't go until later. My kids have belt testing this weekend, so we've had to be around for training for that. My kids won't do summer camp until next month (when most of their friends are done with theirs).

I worry that we won't "enjoy" summer until it's over, but then I have to take a deep breath and remember it IS summer and we are doing something unusual... taking it easy. That's such an odd/off feeling for me. I've gotten so used to the hustle that not having to just seems wrong somehow. Of course, by the time summer is over I'll have figured it out. Which, of course, is when I'll have to hustle again.

Buford Dam Park

We were invited to an end of year party out at Buford Dam Park (just past the dam itself).

The park had a playground, picnic area, volleyball area, soccer area..

and beach! We were somewhat surprised at the lack of people out there, but really didn't mind. For $4/car, it was a wonderful outing for the kids. They splashed in the lake, had lunch, and in general enjoyed their last day of school.

It's a place we're going to keep in mind potentially returning to during the summer.

School's OUT!

Six Flags

I took my kids last Friday out to Six Flags for homeschool day. A wonderful thing to be able to do on what would normally have been a school day. The passes included lunch (sandwich, coke, chips, apple and a cookie) as well as a return pass for later in the season.

I think our main disappointment was that we couldn't go to Skull Island. Of course, it doesn't open until Memorial DAy weekend.

The longest wait the kids had was for Superman. It was about an hour. The problem here was that we went right after lunch, when everyone was in the same area.

By end of day, we all had our capes. I've decided all moms need a Wonder Woman cape. My daughter picked the Green Lantern, my son went for Superman.

This was the Goliath as it went overhead. I was by the covered pathway not far from the Georgia Scorcher.

Regal Cinemas Movie Express

This has probably been posted on multiple freebie sites by now, but I hadn't seen it yet. Since I hadn't seen it, I figured there's others that haven't either, so I'm sharing it here. Regal Cinemas is bringing back their $1 summer movies. You can search on your zip code here: http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/. It appears that in my area, the shows are the same for all the theaters. It'll just be a matter of how far I care to drive.

Way too hot

My kids and I went out to Six Flags last Friday. They'd earned tickets through the Read to Succeed program. I had "purchased" my ticket using Coke reward points. I made sure we had plenty of fluids, but we still came home over heated. It didn't help that the Batman ride had no air circulation while waiting (the line took about 45 minutes to get through).

We arrived as early as the park opened and managed to get through approx. 6 rides before the heat (and crowds) truly hit. By the time it was lunch (around 2), the kids were just about done. We managed one more ride after and gave up. I was drenched and had a headache started, by the time we got home my daughter had a headache too.

So, word of warning from experience.. take lots of breaks in the shade (or air) if you go to Six Flags any time soon.

Dickey's Peaches

Before we headed home on Friday, it was mentioned that there was a peach orchard not far away from where we were. They had homemade peach ice cream and more to be enjoyed.

When we pulled up, this was the view of the front of the orchard. This is actually the processing facility for Dickeys peaches.

Of course, we had to sample the FRESH peach ice cream.

While we ate, we watched the peaches get washed and sorted and packaged.

I have to admit, this isn't something I'd have gone out of my way to go see. But as it was in the same area we were in, I had no problem stopping. We came home with a small box of peaches, some peach fruit spread and peach & vidalia onion salsa. A worthy side trip, in my opinion.

Noah's Ark

Over the summer, the Georgia Cyber Academy is still having outings and Meet & Greets. Last Thursday I took the kids out to Noah's Ark (in Locust Grove) on a school outing. I'd heard of the facility, but hadn't had the chance to go check it out. It was rather hot in the sun, but most of the trail was actually shaded. We picnicked before going in to view the animals. For those that have never been, entry is free though they do ask for donations.

On arrival and as you go in, you're likely to be greeted by these guys. They were scattered all around the grounds and would come quite close.

There was one of these fairly close to the fence line and my kids were quite amazed at how big they really are.

An oddly decorated duck

When we first arrived, these guys were 'thrumming' constantly. It made an interesting noise to listen to. The kids thought it sounded like bongos in the distance.

On the way out, I was apparently VERY interesting to the male.. he followed me all along the fence line, stopping when I stopped and continuing when I did.

Comfy pigs in the shade

By far the apparent favorite of the kids.. not really surprising.

These guys were actually pretty big. I was impressed.

Museum of Commercial Aviation

I had never heard of this until it appeared on Living Social. Since I had my friend's kids with me, we went out last week to check the National Museum of Commercial Aviation out. It's a very small museum, just south of the airport not far from the Atlanta Farmer's Market. They're also fairly new and haven't been able to put out a lot of things they've had donated. If you go, don't expect it to take a long time, but do TAKE your time to check it out. The man on staff when we were there was very helpful and more than willing to take the time to answer questions the kids had.

If you go, you might consider a side trip to explore the Farmer's Market while you're out there. Due to time constraints, we drove through the market, only stopping for hot boiled peanuts.

It was a Zoo!

I took my kids and their buddies out to the Zoo Tuesday. We got out there before it got too hot and left in time to get lunch back at the house. It was what I'd call a "speed trip", but the kids seemed to enjoy it anyway. A worth while investment since we're members and everyone was "free".