a little behind

Just can't get enough

We went back to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. They have a new exhibit called Dig It. The Smithsonian is amazing they can even make dirt be the most fascinating thing you have ever seen. Reese loved it but we all know he has always been fascinated with dirt.

While we were there we realized we missed more than half of the fun last time we went. I learned you really need at least two maybe three full days to see everything.

Dylan was really excited to see the Crystal Skull. He was a little disappointed to find out the truth. Sometimes fiction is just more fun.

I really liked the Easter Island Statue, and the Yap Valuable (rai). Someday Dylan and I will have to go to the Pacific to see them in their natural setting, for now this will have to do.

Manassas National Battlefield Park

On the way home from the cavern we made a stop at Manassas National Battlefield Park. It was excruciatingly hot. We walked about a mile on a trail around the battlefield I thought I might die. I couldn't stop thinking of all the men and boys fighting in uniform walking or running miles and miles carrying all sorts of heavy ammunition and weapons.

I would have liked a little more time in the visitors center the artifacts are really interesting. I am enjoying the rich history of the area. I just wish I could read as fast as Reese can run. It took him about two seconds to figure out that the really cool stuff was outside. Reese LOVES Cannons. I’m not even sure that he knows what they do. It just shows that you don’t have to understand something to think it is super awesome!

Before we left we snapped a shot of Reese with Stone Wall Jackson.

Luray Caverns

Saturday we went on a ride to see the Shenandoah Mountains. Our destination Luray Caverns.

Dylan and have always enjoyed caves, caverns, and crevices. One for one of our first dates we went to the Ice Caves out on the Arizona strip and the Bloomington caves. We also went to Montezuma’s Mines in Kanab, Utah. In Madison Wisconsin, we went to the Cave of the Mounds. While visiting Mexico we explored Las Grutas. We like Caves! The first time Dylan held my hand was in a tunnel under the streets of St. George. He just likes being in the dark with me.

Luray Caverns was Reese’s first caving experience. I’m not sure we have passed down our love of caves. At first he really liked it. I didn’t mind that he could run without escaping. (On second thought maybe that’s why Dylan took me to all those caves.) I loved the super nice fences that kept him from falling off of the steep parts. He really liked all the little formations in the path. It was really funny to watch when the stalactites dripped on him. The look of confusion was classic. In the end he said he wanted to go home. I think we might have a little claustrophobic boy on our hands.

Zoo

Yesterday was Dylan’s day off so we went to the National Zoological Park. Sounds Fancy. As a matter of fact it is very fancy! We got to see Lions, Tigers and Giant Panda Bears. The pandas were really fun to watch. It was a first for all of us. Rees said his favorite was the tigers. He also liked the Petting Zoo, Monkeys, and Bugs (giant centipede, huge flying cockroaches, and the biggest aunt farm I have ever seen) Yuck! Dylan’s favorite was the Blue Iguana it was gigantic! I have to say I liked the Pandas the best. We enjoyed our packed lunches by the enormous Tortoise couple entertained by all the people passing buy. They were almost as fun to watch as the animals.

Home for nap time.

Dylan and I spent the evening with his co-workers at Fogo de Chao a really nice Brazilian Steakhouse. I ate more last night than I did all of last week together. We both loved the food and the company. It was nice to meet all the people Dylan has been talking about this summer. I will post pictures later if we can get our hands on them.

Reese got to play with Karyn and Joe. (Thanks)

I love that Dylan has had so much time to spend with us it will be hard for us to get back into the school routine!

Will Run For Ice Cream

I did it...I ran my first 5k. My friend Karen and I ran in the Crystal City Twlighter last Week.

Then we got Ice Cream at Cold Stone. It just proves that anyone can run you just have to find proper motivation.
I had a really great time! It was fun to see all the people, we ran up a little hill and caught a quick view of DC. Then the track snaked down and around the parking lot of the pentagon.
It was a really great experience!