Halloween Costumes

 Our little engineer and mad scientist.

He's got mad scientist hair. I had to unbutton the bottom button so he could get up and down the stairs.

Once again the weather in Maryland was perfect for trick or treating. Happy Halloween.

Home with Grammy and Grandpa

We did some real-life stuff while my parents were here too.

Beckett had his first days of preschool.

He is loving preschool this year. He's happy to go everyday, but he's happiest when it's my turn to go with him.

I also went to teach my class on Tuesday night. My dad came with me and learned all about the Early Renaissance. My mom, Kristi, and I went to see Austenland. We laughed so much. I want to see it again. (Felix got left with my parents a lot--when I went to class, went to the movie, went to preschool. He was not thrilled about it.)

Beckett did lots of bubble blowing and bubble popping.

Felix played peek-a-boo.

My parents brought the boys some really fabulous gifts - a workbook that my mom spent lots of time doing with Beckett, a lizard that grew when placed in water, and this book that they read so many times.

On Sunday night Nate came home. He flew into Reagan, so we all drove down to pick him up, and then we left my parents there, in Washington. They hoofed it around the city, saw lots of stuff without dragging around the grandkids, and came home in the dark of night. I went and picked them up at the metro station.

 On the last day I had this really fabulous idea: let's go outside and take some pictures. This is how they turned out:

I burst out laughing every time I see them.

Fort McHenry with Grammy and Grandpa

Hmmm. I am just now noticing a battle field theme with these trips with my parents. Antietam: Civil War. Harper's Ferry: Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War. Fort McHenry: War of 1812. I guess I should have put that together sooner.

On our way to Fort McHenry I played the Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast on the Bombardment of Baltimore. Nate and I had talked about doing that for the folks we take to Fort McHenry, and I was so proud of myself for remembering. So we were all prepared and refreshed on the battle, the players, and why Francis Scott Key was out in the harbor that night with the British.

Walking the ramparts.

(This picture of my dad and Felix! Is there a sweeter baby?)

Beckett counted all of the columns.

Beckett in jail.

I did have the stroller with me. I promise.

We ate snacks looking out at the harbor and the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

We also saw this WWII bomber flying over the harbor. Somehow my mom snatched this shot.

Our Next Destination: Home. (Actually, Washington, D.C. for my parents. I sent them to wander the streets there solo.)

P.S. Another trip to Fort McHenry

Harper's Ferry with Grammy and Grandpa

Anyone who reads this blog with even a tiny bit of regularity knows that I love Harper's Ferry. Come and visit me. I will take you to Harper's Ferry. When I took my parents to Harper's Ferry we did all our favorite Harper's Ferry activities.

We ate ice cream in my favorite courtyard.The ice cream at Harper's Ferry is so good.

 I attempted to get good photos of Felix.

We threw rocks in the water. Felix attempted to dive in. We strolled through the ruins.

I saw two deer and a blue heron.We watched the kayakers on the Shenandoah. And (you knew it was coming) we watched the trains.

Our next destination: Fort McHenry

P.S. I take my sister to Harper's Ferry. That post is far funnier than this one.

Antietam with Grammy and Grandpa

When Nate went to Alaska (this blog is still waiting for the report) my parents came out to save me from ten days of solo parenting. (They know how to keep their grandchildren alive and well.) We had the best time. The kids were so happy. Beckett, especially. He kept telling my parents, "I'm so glad you are here." (Keep melting their hearts B. I have a feeling it's to your advantage.)

We couldn't just sit around all week, so one new thing that Beckett learned while my parents were here was the definition of the word "destination." Our first destination together was Antietam. On a phone call to Nate on the way there Beckett announced, "Our destination is Antietam!" (My dad had just finished explaining the word to him.) Here he is, pointing out our destination on the map. Antietam Creek. My dad had read a book about Antietam, so it was like having our own personal tour guide. Awesome!

On our way to Dunker Church.

We all walked into the Mumma Cemetery. It predates the war by, oh, about a century.

My dad, Felix, and I got out and walked along the Bloody Lane and Sunken Road.

We walked to the observation tower where we could see Beckett and my mom waiting for us.

Next we drove over to Burnside Bridge.

We watched people floating down the river. They looked cool. We were hot. It was worth it.

Our next destination: Harper's Ferry.

P.S. Our last trip to Antietam.