Virginia Adventure # 2- Mount Vernon

Yesterday it was the current President's house and today it was the first President's house.  Last time we were here, Dan mentioned going to Mount Vernon, but it seemed too difficult since we didn't have a rental car.  Que current visit and a rental car- we are also closer this time.  It was a freezing day, especially compared to yesterday.  I still wore my flip flops since I can't stand my tennis shoes.  Not sure why I brought them.  I think the high was 44 degrees!  That's mighty cold for a Southern California girl!

Lax car seat laws in Virginia allow for a lot more freedom to wiggle :)

I think Katie's favorite part of the visit was seeing all of the animals.  They had cows, very noisy sheep and lambs, geese, chickens, and pigs.  Katie wanted to feed all of the animals. I think they appreciated getting access to hay that was previously out of reach

Katie made a new friend

 We also explored all of the trails and walked down to the Potomac River to try and keep warm.  Katie was throwing rocks into the river with such gusto that I was worried she might fall in.  Dan and I devised a plan in case that happened :)  Luckily we didn't have to save her, because that water looked freezing. 

Exploring George Washington's property

We made it to the River

Levi was really not sure about the cold weather.  I think he misses Escondido!

 On our walk back up to the house for our tour we walked through Washington's orchards (totally bare) and  found a huge field of sheep and baby lambs.  They were so loud.  At first I thought it was kids making the bizarre noises, but once everyone left I knew it was the lambs.  Strange little fellows.

By this point Levi was cold and crying so we asked if we could do our tour early and luckily it was okay.  It was plenty warm inside the house.

So happy to all be together again at Mount Vernon

They said the men decorated the main part of the house and that the women decorated the master bedroom.  The whole house was painted in the most expensive paint colors to show how wealthy Washington was.  His bedroom was a simple white design.  Guess Martha wasn't as interested in showing off as her husband.  On the way to the exit we watched a blacksmith making a trivet and then went to meet Martha Washington.  Katie asked her what she liked to eat :)  Guess it was lunch time or really dinner time by that point.

Virginia Adventure # 1- White House Tour and National Mall

For our anniversary we scored a White House tour from our Congressman.  After thorough security checks, we got to go inside.  Katie searched and searched for the first doggie, to no avail :)  She did however get scolded by the Secret Service for crossing the red rope and touching the official White House furniture.  Levi also got hungry during the tour and got to have his lunch in the White House- not many kids can say they have had those experiences :)  Katie also got compliments from the Secret Service for her patriotic dress!

The family in front of the White House

White House Junior Ranger

After the tour, Katie filled out her Jr Ranger packet and picked up another badge.  I think there will be a lot of opportunities for badges on this trip if she wants to do them.  We then walked around the mall from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial.  There was a High School band playing in front of the Lincoln Memorial- Levi loved the music :)  One great thing about visiting DC a year and a half ago was that we didn't feel rushed to do anything.  We played on the grass and meandered through the mall.  I love not being in a rush and just getting to hang out as a family.  Katie chased a squirrel all over (he seemed to enjoy it and kept coming back for more)

She loved climbing up the poles and running along the wall by the Washington Monument

I captured her for a quick cuddle

My adventurous daughter always looking for a new challenge

Is there a better place for tummy time?

Visiting Lincoln

We finished the evening with a fabulous dinner right across the street from the White House at this little outdoor french cafe.  It was wonderful.  Katie and Levi slept through almost the entire dinner so we got to drink wine and enjoy an adult conversation.  Dan had duck and I had that huge bowl of mussels.  We also got crab cake (notice no s there) and dessert.  The weather was beautiful and warm all day too. 

Adventures at the Science Center

Since Katie is at my parent's house on a slumber party and Levi will only nap in my arms I decided to write a little about what we have been up to since Dan left on Monday night.  We have done something fun everyday so far.  On Thursday we went to the Fleet Science Center at Balboa Park.  Katie loved the upstairs play area.  There were just enough kids to interact with, but not too many to be overwhelming.

My favorite parts

Katie's favorite was loading food

This was a tornado that you had to try and disturb from forming

This wooden xylophone was loud enough to be heard all over the room but played a soft, beautiful tone

Maybe a new Thursday thing?  Only 48 more says until we go to D.C. to see Daddy

My Handsome Three Month Old!

I want to say that my son is beautiful, but I know the correct term for a boy is handsome, so I guess I will go with it.  We had his pictures done when he was three months and 9 days.  I love them so much.  Newborn pictures were sweet, but these ones show his little personality and I know him so much more.  Three month olds are adorable!

Here's Levi:

Katie (3) and Levi (3 months)

Enjoying his thumb

Tummy Time!

Beautiful Blue Eyes

Daddy and Levi

The Kassebaum Four

 I love the picture of Dan with him since he will be leaving soon.  I can't wait to get some more pictures done when he gets home :)

ADHD Treatment without Meds!

A friend of mine recently posted a list of suggestions from her doctor for her son who was diagnosed with ADHD.  They wanted to try something other than medication first and see if it could work.  From teaching, I do beleive that some kids need medication to function in school, but why not try these tips first to see if a more natural approach can work in your family.  Heck, even if you don't have a child with ADHD, all of these tips led to a healthier lifestyle for everyone.

DR. TIPS:

1. Screen time (tv, movies, phones, etc...) no more than 1 hour a week.
2. Vigorous activity(swimming, running, etc...)
3. Going into nature out of the city for slow stimulants exposure
4. Eating foods high in omega 3 (avocado, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds) all nuts and seeds are raw unsalted...
5. 800mg of fish oil each day
6. Absolutely no video games
7. Low amounts of bread
8. No food coloring, especially red-40
9. Go as preservative free as possible. Her rule is if God didn't make it that way, don't eat it. For example, don't buy chicken nuggets in a box u heat up, buy chicken breasts, cook them and cut them up. 


My friend was happy to report that her son's behavior in school had greatly improved on his report card.  KUDDOS!

Does anything survivie children?

Katie went to use the bathroom today by herself (yay!).  I heard her flush and hop off the toilet and then she never came out so I went in to check on her.  She was back on the potty with a tooth brush in her mouth.  After a while I helped her wipe some more and then we flushed and I saw a little green toothbrush spinning around in the toilet.  Dope.  Shoulda notice that it was no longer in her mouth.  Now Dan is going to remove the toilet and try to find the toothbrush before it clogs everything.  Glad it was a nice new toilet.  Hopefully he gets Katie to bed quickly so he can start working on this project :)

love my kids!