Helicopter seeds

All the trees are green now, and the gutters (and car windscreens, and cracks in the pavement) are coated!

Indoor Golf Tournament

Had some time before leaving for school bus, indicating that nobody had dawdled or gotten distracted in morning preparations... so they had a golf tournament, that consisted of hitting the golf ball from the top level of the house right down to the basement. Very creative, and very popular.

American Donut

This is what most people seem to be talking about when they talk about a plain donut. It is almost as big as the bread plate, and we shared it among three for dessert night.

Planting for spring/summer

Finally got to nursery to buy stuff to try to grow. Discovered that visit to Australia would mean that we would miss ripening of tomatoes (they helpfully put maturing time on label). We discovered that you could buy a big plant for a bit more, that already has some baby tomatoes on it! So I am hopeful the boys will get to pick some tomatoes.
Also planted - strawberries, basil, and peas (from seed). Think a bird might have got to the pea seeds, but have whole packet and enthusiastic 4 year old, so not too worried.
Still to plant - sunflowers out the front! Tried to buy sunflowers that weren't going to grow to 6ft tall this time.

Last skate of the season

We went to free skating, as a family today, which was rather special. Mr 4 chose to stick with us, but Mr 6 was off and doing his own thing. In some cases, that involved sticking with his brother and giving him tips. So thoughtful! Last skate of the season for us, rink closes in a week, to reopen next September.

Mission BBQ

Mission BBQ - started in Glen Burnie, and has now expanded to a couple of sites around Maryland, including one in Annapolis. We thought we'd give it a try for a Friday night out (with grandparents and tired kids).
We thought it would be a sit down restaurant. but the format is more like McDonalds, where you order then find a table. TV's in every corner of the room, which I was sad about, because my 6 year old became a zombie. No salad unless you remembered to order a side (and pay for it). Room full of 'service' memorabilia - not just defence force, but coast guard, police, fire department, anyone who serves really. One toilet for each sex (big restaurant, so constant queue!).
But, quick service, nice pulled pork, the salad I got was definitely green, and I'd go there again, just not when I wanted a restaurant experience. Maybe if I wanted high protein low carb lunch? No obvious kids menu, so we were able to order the kids 'junior' (smaller) pulled pork buns and chips.
The photo is of the BBQ truck, that serves free food to service people, the one example I was given was when the riots were on in Baltimore, it was driven up there and served food for 24 hours.

Washington DC via Hop On/Hop Off Bus

We probably won't do this every visit, but it was a good fit this time, to buy tickets on the sight seeing bus, and see a little more of DC than what we usually see trudging around the Mall, plus there is a guide on each bus giving a commentary pointing out landmarks and giving a bit of history.

Highly recommended - Franklin D Roosevelt memorial, then walk around to the Jefferson Memorial. The Roosevelt memorial is beautiful and peaceful, with many quotes and waterfalls in the different 'rooms' of the memorial, tracing his time as president. The Jefferson memorial has a lovely view from the steps to each lunch from. I think that is the quiet side of the Tidal Basin too.

Hubby went and looked at the Library of Congress, which from the photos looks like fantastic architecture, and I think next time I will go too, but I hesitated to take kids to a library. I think we would have struggled to get the back packs through the security anyway.
We took the boys to the Air and Space Museum instead, which I found a bit trying, maybe partially because I was tired, but also because the boys were running around too fast to actually take stuff in or even read any information boards. I think I like the annex better!

Helicopter trees all ready to go

The helicopter seed trees are all primed and ready to go. Give it a week and we will be hip deep in helicopter seeds...

Ramshead for after work drinks

Strange and unusual occasion, because we have grandparents to take care of the kids for a bit, we got to go to drinks with some work colleagues. I forgot to take a photo, but found one - and the wisteria was in flower for us and just as lovely as in this photo. It was particularly nice to sit and relax with some chat.
I thought the Ramshead was more 'pubby', but actually, we sat down at a table, were given a menu, and most people had a bit of dinner, as well as drinks. Maybe it is more like an Australian pub when they have a band on, later in the week.

Source - http://www.ramsheadgroup.com/2013/06/04/outdoor-dining-at-rams-head-tavern-annapolis-savage-mill/

William Paca House

Lovely to see the gardens in springtime. The tour was very informative, but tough on the children in terms of length and not being able to even touch the chairs. Icecream at the dock afterwards!

Night in hotel without children...

The small things in life really are precious. It was very nice to get a wander in down town Annapolis past bed time (6.30-7pm), eat at expensive restaurant without kids menu, and not have to rearrange furniture to fit extra trolley bed - and read book until bored in comfy couch in dappled sunshine!

Women's Lacrosse

Went and watched a women's lacrosse game. Rather enjoyed the quiet atmosphere (and free entry). Navy Women 10, Boston Uni 5.

Hot Dogs and S'mores

First grilling of the season... Boys particularly enthusiastic over s'mores.

Hot dogs taste much better with a bit of smoke and browning! My first attempt at lighting the BBQ with charcoal burner. Neighbour offered lighter fluid incase of failure, which was very generous. I did succeed with brown paper and matches!

Crab Feast

First crab feast of the season!

T is for Turtle Bread

Another fun project that the kids loved, and a big sense of achievement when we ate it together for lunch!

Double Rainbow!

Glorious double rainbow today. Lit up by setting sun after the rain had rolled through in the afternoon.

Science Projects (and 6 year olds)

Each year in USA schools there is a chance to participate in a Science Fair. For a 6 year old, it is difficult to know how much to help and how much not to help, and how to help them develop the scientific method that is a good foundation for later...

There are a lot of projects involving lollies - how long they stick to paper, what dissolves them faster, putting mentos in soda, and then there are projects that are really unique (last year I saw one where this boy had developed an experiment looking at how fast the dominoes fell when placed close or far apart - he raced them against a train on some tracks), and some projects that seem a bit stilted and self conscious.

Luckily our boy is in it for the green participation ribbon that everyone gets.

Ice Dispensers

Lovely thing about American hotels is that they all seem to have ice dispensers, which is very handy to know when travelling with a small water cooler to refill water bottles on the road. Good job for children when trying to pack too.

How snow is made

It was appropriate that in Canada we learnt how snow forms - instead of water forming around the dust particles and forming clouds, when it is cold enough, the water crystalizes around the little dust particles and then falls. Icy snow is when the cloud is a rain cloud, but the water freezes on the way down - very dangerous for roads, tree branches, powerlines and power transformers.

Missing the start of spring

Because we spent the end of March in Canada, where Winter was still holding on, it was a shock to get home and see trees with green, and to know that we had missed the cherry blossoms in DC (early this year, peaking on the 23-24th March), and in Annapolis...
So I have not walked around in a huge cloud of happiness taking repeated photos of trees with blossoms on them. Here are some from last year.

Reusable breakfast crockery and cutlery!

The small sign that you can't read, says, "disposable diningware available upon request". This is the first hotel breakfast that I have been to that doesn't require you to use disposable stuff, and I was ecstatic!