We’ve got a friend who is having a problem. It’s a problem that a lot of people probably have, but most probably don’t know about it.
A couple of years ago at work we started developing a mobile application. None of us had any mobile experience to speak of, so we read some books. As we began debugging early versions of the app, we learned pretty quickly that we needed a standardized build process.
I’ve never liked shaving. In fact, it seems as if I’ve hated it for most of my adult life. It could be inaccurate, but I remember being very nonchalant about getting a razor for Christmas from a friend – I think I was 14 or 15. It also seems like it was quite a while before I used it.
So as we write all these posts about our vacation, I feel like I should start an “Anthony’s best quotes” page for all the crazy things my sweet child has come up with this week. I hate to clutter the vacation stuff with them or have someone miss one so… here I am to tell you a few good ones…
So we opted out of the busy city today and thought we would check out Mount Vernon. Wow I am so glad we did. Kirk went all out today and got the full package plus the National Treasure 2 tour. So we got to ride the spirit of Washington tour boat – pretty short, beautiful views, very relaxing! We toured the house and grounds, went to the distillery and gristmill… we arrived at 11am (should have been there at 9 but I let everyone sleep in… note to anyone who goes… do it early! There is soooo much to see!) and we left around 5:30. The house was amazing. Can’t even imagine the work it took to make it so magnificent. The gardens, the buildings, the work… most amazing to me was the faux brick exterior: beveled wood made in shape of stone and painted - while the pain it wet they put clean sand on it - making it look like stone! I am sure I can’t do the description well enough but it looked very cool! What else… so many things I can’t tell you all… Washington was truly before his times… rotating crop fields, composting, sanitation, freeing slaves… just very cool to think he was thinking so far ahead.
Today was an un-energetic day. Everyone was a little tired, Syd wasn’t feeling great and I didn’t sleep well last night. And oh… it was raining. We started out our day with the Wax Museum. First up take a picture of Anthony with all 44 wax Presidents… yep you read that right. EVERY last one of our presidents. Anthony has a picture with them all. We made him keep the pictures in order so there is no confusion later when we get them off the camera as to who they are! He even sat next to Lincoln in his Presidential box at the theater where he was shot. We got a few other shots of various famous people. Notable people other than the presidents: Johnny Depp, George Clooney (kids are into Danny Ocean movies), Julia Roberts (they didn’t know who she was – when is it ok to show Syd “Pretty Woman” ? I love that movie!) Britney Spears (and yes they made her look like a tramp in wax too… swinging on a pole); Tiger Woods (the sports section was lacking); Oprah (the skinny version – barely recognized her!) Can’t think of who else….It was pretty expensive for our blood and was cool until we realized we were done and that was all there was. Don’t think we would bother ever again, but Anthony got his pic with all the presidents like he wanted, so I guess it was good. Then we walked a bit, ate lunch and then headed to the Natural History Museum. Highlights: Dinosaurs, Gems (Syd and I enjoyed this), Mammals… Sure the kids will fill this in. Then off across the National Mall to the Air and Space Museum. It was pretty cool. Nothing that really excites me personally. Kids were wilting at this point. So we headed out, hopped on the Metro and came back to the hotel. Of course those wimpy children who couldn’t look at anything more are currently wrestling in the other bedroom (yep this is why Kirk and I get a 2 bedroom suite … he’s watching TV in the common space, I’m in our room and the kids have their own – though Sydney does sleep on the pull-out sofa.)
Today we started out at the National Zoo…aka The animal hotel thingy… according to Anthony on the way home when he was a little overtired and not thinking well. The Pandas were pretty cool. We arrived at 10 and walked around the zoo until just before 4… 2 downfalls to this zoo 1- lots of exhibits were under construction. 2- the hill… you wander thru the zoo enjoying the scenery and then suddenly realize you have been here for hours and are exhausted and …. you parked at the top of the hill and you now have to walk the 8/10th of the mile up hill back to your car. Note to any coming here in the future… park in c or d lots… they are at the bottom of the hill… you will enjoy the end of the day much better!
Today was the first day in DC! We visited many monuments and memorials. My favorite was the Lincoln memorial. We also went to the Smithsonian Museum of American history. My two favorite parts of that was the first lady’s dress. my favorite one was Ms.Obama’s dress. My other favorite thing was the original Sam and Friends [a Jim Henson creation] puppets.
Today we spent a lot of time with our wonderful family. The kids swam and played together. I think this was the first time ALL the kids have interacted and had a good time together.
We went to Gettysburg today. We walked around the battlefield, looking at statues of people and cannons that they used in the Civil War. I took pictures of a lot of stuff there. There was one large memorial site, it had the names of soldiers who died. It had a statue of Abraham Lincoln!!! :) He gave his Gettysburg address near there. We went up in the big memorial and looked at everything from above.
