Potter is Teddy Roosevelt

For Potter's book report project this month, they had to choose a famous person who was not an athlete or actor. Potter choose to portray Teddy Roosevelt. He had to read a biography, write a summary report, and then dress up as his character in front of the class while reading his report. The class and teachers were then supposed to guess who he was. It was a great time! We made Potter a very nice costume (although you can't get the full effect of the hat in these pictures) and he got a 100% on his project. We are very proud of him!

Camden Yards

Another rare photo of Dave and I ---together! Potter took this of us, also in center field position.

Potter showing off his pitching prowess!

Molly doing the same, not to be outdone by her brother!
Me with Potter and Molly at the entrance to Camden Yards.

More Camden Yards

The Yankees are warming up on the field. It was 88 degrees at the start of the game!

A member of the Navy threw out the opening pitch of the game.

The giant scoreboard.

A view of the field and most of the stadium from over in right field at an observation deck.


Right before we left, we did a complete loop through the whole stadium. Dave and the kids mostly in center field-ish position.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is impressive for its size and the sheer number of people that have served the nation who are buried there. Since we went on Memorial Day, we weren't realizing that the President would be coming to make his address at the Tomb of the Unknown, so unfortunately, we weren't allowed (by the Secret Service) to walk much of anywhere on the grounds; fortunately though, we ended up with a front row seat as the Presidential motorcade passed by, with the President on our side, waving to us. Regardless of how you feel about the President and his policies, it is cool to see a sitting president in person! I did take a video of his motorcade entering the cemetery, but it is quite lengthy and you can't see the President, just the limo that he is riding in. I opted not to post that, just the pictures I got that represent why we have the freedoms that we do.

Tired kids.....

After two long days of non-stop walking and sightseeing, the kids were beat. We let them veg out in the a/c, watch a totally mindless show on tv, and eventually, we just ate dinner in our room, letting the kids have pizza on our beds. They thought that was very fun!

Supreme court and the Capitol

Potter in front of the Supreme Court. This was after a really long day of walking.


Cool view of the Supreme Court building.

Potter on the steps of the Captiol. It was closed because of the holiday. We had really wanted to go in, but another time!

Metro ride

Brief metro trip from the Smithsonian up to Capital South. Potter had been dying to ride the metro all day. He was happy after this. Everyone had a good time.

Short break

After the museum, the kids needed some outside time, so Dave provided popsicles. They were a big hit!!

While the kids were waiting for treats, I had to find something to keep them occupied. I had them gather sticks from all over and pile them up. I told them we would light a fire and roast marshmallows. Yeah, you do whatever you need to do!!!! It kept them busy for at least 20 minutes!!!

Museum of Natural History

The kids with Dave in front of an enormous elephant. When we walked into the museum, Molly asked 'where is Rexie?' in reference to the giant T-Rex that is in the lobby of the Museum of Natural History in NYC. I reminded her that we would be going there next weekend, when we visit our friends Kate and Rob. She seemed somewhat pacified.


Dave with the kids in front of a T-Rex, but not the one Molly wanted to see.

Molly and Potter in front of the Easter Island statue. This is also something that they have learned about from the movie 'Night in the Museum'. Of course, this, too, is not the one from the movie. You may also be able to tell that Molly is a bit of a booger here. She had been scolded about something and was not in the mood for a photo.



Molly loves giraffes and wanted to have her picture taken with this one.


Potter inside a simulated termite hill. There was a huge bug exhibit. Ick.

Sprinklers on the Washington Mall

Potter and Molly enjoyed the sprinklers near the Washington Monument. Molly got doused at the very end, but since it was warm outside, she was pretty happy about being wet!!

Making our way to the Washington Mall

A nice shot of the Washington Monument.
Potter and Molly at the entrance to the World War II Memorial. That is my favorite memorial in Washington D.C. A definite one to visit if you have not done so yet.

A rare digital picture of me in front of the giant pool at the World War II Memorial, with Molly in the background.

The kids and I are putting our hands into the pool. That is, until a volunteer lady came over and told us we weren't allowed to do that. Caleb didn't understand this and was very upset. Screaming ensued!
The reflecting pond, with the Lincoln Memorial in the background. We did not walk down this time to the Lincoln Memorial, and likewise, we didn't see the Vietnam Memorial, which is right across the way.

Walking along Pennsylvania Avenue

A really cool view of the Old Executive Building. Walking around the perimeter of this building, it is so big you can't fathom it. We were wondering how much stone it took to construct!!
A shot of the fam in front of the White House. It was such a pretty day that it only made the White House that much more beautiful to look at.
A stately shot of the White House. Really gorgeous!!
Caleb makes it into a picture, in front of the White House no less. Notice that he is carrying his favorite item in the world, the ever-present green Starbucks straw!!

The Treasury Building. Potter said that the head of the Treasury Department must have a really, really large checking account!!

National Zoo - Elephants!

The elephant decided to walk around and get a drink while we were there. The kids all got a kick out of seeing him use his long trunk. It is amazing to see how big they are in person!

More National Zoo

The tiger finally decided to get up and move around a bit while we were there. I think he had been sedentary for a loooonnnnggg time and there was big excitement when he got up to stretch his legs.
The pandas are always a big draw at the zoo. Last time we were there in September of 2005, this 'baby' had just been born and was not on display. He is now something like 240 pounds and HUGE!! He looks just like Potter's stuffed panda does, sitting on his rear and chowing down on eucalyptus. It was really quick fun to see so up close and in person. We also saw the office where they have all of the panda cams that you can watch online at the National Zoo website. There is a women there who sits with a joystick to move the cameras whenever the panda decides to move around. It is very cool, you should check out the website.

A cute Potter and Molly picture right outside of the Panda habitat.

A tired Caleb who doesn't get to be the center of attention in pictures too much.

A mostly complete family shot of us in front of the Oryx. They are horse-sized animals with the longest horns I have ever seen.

Miscellaneous cute kids this weekend

This was too cute to pass up!! Caleb loves to help with the laundry, now he is the laundry!


Molly's doll Lavendar is getting some dinner. We had to use real spoons and real bowls. Thankfully, we didn't have to feed her real food. And there are no real poops to clean up either!



Caleb loves getting piggy back rides from Potter, and Potter is pretty strong to hold Caleb at that angle on his back. Two happy brothers!!

Caleb is stacking blocks!

Annual Poly Sci B-Mets game

Every May, the grad students in Dave's department put together a cookout at one of the B-Mets home games. There is a pavilion along the third base line where there are tons of tables and a fenced in area (good for keeping children in view), along with huge tables of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken spiedies, and all the other usual baseball game fare. Everyone has a great time (there is a keg for the adults, so that helps out too!) and the kids can enjoy either watching the game along the fence line, where they are face to face with the outfield, watching the trains go by (behind the outfield) or they can run around and use up their energy! Luckily, the weather was perfect, nice and cool, no rain, and a little sun before it got later in the evening.

Caleb finally warmed out to not being held the entire night and started wandering around a bit. The visiting team's bullpen abutts the area where we picnic, so kids can go right up to the fence and chat with the players, get baseballs signed, etc....Caleb became fascinated with one of the relief pitchers (I think it was because he was so tall, at least to Caleb), that he kept going over to the fence to engage him. At last, he was able to get a high five from him and he turned around and ran straight back to Mommy!!!

Potter, Dave and Caleb enjoy the nice night, good view of the ballfield, and hanging out along the third base line (and the outfield).


Something rare: a family photo!! One of the spouses of a grad student offered to take this picture when the night was still young and all the kids were in good humor!


Nothin' better than a cold beer and keeping watch on the game.