Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum {Summer Travels}

Jul28

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC is close to the US Capitol building and the National Gallery of Art. It’s walking distance to all the other Smithsonians and the National Mall. This is one of my kids’ favorite museums, and they look forward to visiting, probably because of the total geek factor of the exhibits, and lot’s on walk-through exhibits and hands-on stations.

Hands on exhibit “How things fly”

Mars Rover

WWII Airplanes

First private space flight vehicle.

Sputnik!

Mars Viking Lander

Stardust collector

First round-the-world air balloon flight

First private space flight vehicle

Apollo Command Module

Missiles

So much fun, and *free* to visit! (You know I love that!) For more on the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, click here.

Best,

Krysten

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Chinatown Express, Washington DC {Summer Travels}

Jul26

Typically when we are on road trips, daycations, staycations and museum hops, I pack my kids a backpack with a bottle of water and their lunch. Lunch at a museum can really break the budget (not so fun for me). But in this case, I made an exception because the price was reasonable, and it doubled for entertainment with my kids. My younger boy really likes Kung Fu Panda, and on the DVD, there is this great segment called Mr. Ping’s Noodle House where Alton Brown (Geeky Science Cooking Show guy, who we love of course) shows the audience how real Chinese noodles are made.

So when I saw the Yelp! listing with this photo:

and then found out that the plates are around $5, I decided to splurge! It was totally worth it! Plus it was only a mile walk to the Air and Space museum, which was our next stop. *Bonus*

Friendship Gate, Chinatown, H Street NW at 7th Street NW
(the largest single span Chinese arch in the world.)

Here we are! The Chinatown Express sign was covered by a new awning with only Chinese writing on it.

Well, we didn’t get to see the long noodles being made, but they were making dumplings and my boys were satisfied with that!

Auntie came too!

Me and Seth!

Ready with the chop sticks!

Beef with Udon Noodles

Orange chicken, shrimp with vegetable, rice noodle with curry and white rice.

Vegetable and Tofu with Udon Noodles

Pork Buns

The star of riches is shining on you.

Now is the time to try something new.

The star of riches is shining on you.

You will have good health, you will be surrounded by luxury.

I would definitely recommend a trip if you’re in the DC area and are looking for a reasonable lunch within walking distance to lots of attractions!

Best,
Krysten
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Hershey, PA: Chocolate World {Summer Travels}

Jul19

On our way down to Virginia, we stopped at Hershey Chocolate World by request for a quick visit to the factory and some chocolate, of course. We will have to come back some other time for a full visit to the park, but for now, this satisfied our sweet tooth! Especially since the main tour and factory role-play is *FREE* unless you choose to buy tickets to their extra attractions, or buy some souvenirs!

The beautiful Pennsylvania Countryside

Welcome to Hershey!

In line for the tour.

Moo-tiful!

”It’s the milk chocolate!”

Never too old…

Factory worker role-play.

A sweet diversion!

Best,
Krysten
Clickable Party

First Roller Coaster Ride! Old Orchard Beach {Summer Travels}

Jul18

Ok, although this was the most expensive ticket I have ever purchased ($5 each) for the shortest roller coaster ride in history, my boys were totally jazzed that they got to go on a real-life-roller-coaster!

In line…

and waiting…

tickets please…

ready…

thumbs-up…

here we go!!!

Woo hoo!

We made it!

Whew!

A pic from the main attraction, Old Orchard Beach.

Best,

Krysten

Clickable Party

Bocce Love {Party Activity}

Jul13

Every year when we go to Maine, my family plays Bocce. It’s kind of like bowling, but with small colored balls and a court instead of a lane. Ok, it’s not much like bowling at all, but it’s loads of fun and almost any age can play! It’s a great family tradition that you should try!

Here’s some pix from our bocce battles!

2009

2010

2011

As you can see, Bocce is a great backyard game to add to a family reunion or birthday party!

Best,

Krysten

Clickable Party

Fourth of July {Party time!} and special birthday

Jul12

We had a fab time on the Fourth with my family up in Maine (knew we would)! We had a very special birthday, and celebrated the 4th in style with Maine Lobster!

Here’s the gang!

The t-shirts! That’s my aunt and my mom.

Mike and Lucy

The newlyweds.

Play pass the baby!

Auntie’s turn!

My turn!

Mommy’s turn!

Dessert table. Maine to Florida Patriotic color scheme for my Uncle’s birthday!

The cake.

I tried to make one of those cute mini-banners, and it was a bit wonky, but still cute.

Setting up.

LOBSTA!

The feast begins.

BFFs

Sisters from another mister.

There’s the birthday boy!

Dessert!

Cake

Birthday blueberry muffins.

Lots o’candles.

Flag cake…Yum!

The view of the lake.

Awesome family time! Tomorrow we’re off to DC for a couple of weeks. If I see some great party stuff, I will be sure to share it!

Best,

Krysten

Clickable Party

Waymarking: Roger Williams Zoo {Geeky Activity and Summer Travels}

Jul11

This summer, we are going to be traveling quite a bit. Something that my family started a couple of years ago was Waymarking. This is fun and can get the kids involved in learning things about geography, longitude and latitude and picture taking. It’s also a neat way to log where you’ve been and contribute to the webosphere. It just takes a few minutes to make your very own waymarks, or to check in with one someone else has set up.

I made a pinterest board for all the places I hope to take the kids!

We went to the Roger Williams Zoo with my in-laws and the other cousins at the end of June. Our waymark is under review – (I forgot to take our picture at the entrance!)

And here are some super fun pictures from our visit! We somehow picked the busiest day of the year, but it wasn’t too hot and the kids had a blast.

Wind tunnel

THE Tree

How far can you jump?

The infamous camel

Monkey! My fav!

My monkey.

Water fight

Domesticated endangered animals – Nigerian goat.

Penguins

Harbor seals (my other fav)

Giraffes

Watching the elephants

“My hat is AWESOME!”

A little sparrow visiting us during lunch

The cousins

With his papa

And that is it – fabulous day! If you want to try out waymarking with your family, they now have added scavenger hunts! So cool!

Best,
Krysten
Clickable Party

Squam Lake, New Hampshire {Summer Travels}

Jun30

After hiking up and down the trail around Cow Cave and Beede Falls in New Hampshire, the boys wanted to have a “real swim,” so we made our way over to Squam Lake. In case you hadn’t heard, this is where they filmed On Golden Pond (one of my personal favs).

Great buddies.

The lake.

Fun accomplished.

Best,

Krysten

Trip to Sandwich – Cow Cave and Beede Falls {Summer Travels}

Jun29

The area around Sandwich, NH is absolutely gorgeous. There is so much to do, especially if you’re an outdoorsy-type. Lots of hiking trails and lakes to boat, swim and jet-ski, fish and the like. The boys and I took a drive over to Beede Falls and Cow Cave on Sunday, which is a perfect little hike to the falls and a very rewarding view! You can continue along the trail for a longer hike, and just enjoy all the sights and sounds.

The trail.

The boys in front of Cow Cave.

We continued to hike along the trail, stopped for a short picnic lunch, and went up to see more of the amazing views that seemed to get more beautiful with each step.