Washington DC

We had to drive through Washington DC, so we planned to spend the day there, visiting all of the sites at the Nation's Capital.

This is a picture taken at the WWII Memorial. Each star represents 100 service men and women who were killed. The WWII Memorial is breath taking and a nice reminder of the Greatest Generation.
The Washington Memorial. Pretty Amazing!
We ate a sack lunch on some benches at the Mall. If you look way in the back you can see the Capital building. We did not walk down to see it.
And this is why. I'm not sure if this picture captures how hot and humid it was in DC when we were there. But look at Matthew's hair and Nicholas's face and you get the idea.

The Lincoln Memorial. My favorite. On the sides of the Memorial they have the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address carved into the walls. They are such inspiring speeches. I wish I could vote for him.
The boys in front of the White House. Isn't Holden's shirt perfect for our visit? It wasn't even planned.

Driving

For our summer vacation this year we headed to Williamsburg, Virginia. We left really early and drove. Joe feels it is important to document the actual driving so here you go.

Here we are all buckled up and ready to go. We were suppose to leave at 4, but set the alarm wrong and left at 5 instead. The boys were sleepy but excited to be headed out.

One of our many potty breaks. If you've ever traveled with me, you understand the significance of the word many.

We drove through New York City. Even driving through the city is exciting.

There are lots of amazing bridges between Massachusetts and Virginia. Here is one of them.

But let's be really honest, this is the reason the boys like car trips. Lots of video game time.

Holden's Baptism

The Orange Tigers

Matthew waited for a long time to play soccer.  Joe took him to his first practice.  After he asked him what he thought and Matthew said, "Boring!"  Then he told me the same thing when he got home.  He did have a good time for the most part.  The best part of all?  His very best friend in the whole world, Caleb Yeager, was on his team.

Questionare

What is the wallpaper on your cellphone? What ever came with the phone

Did you get anough sleep last night?Is that even possible?

What’s the first thing you thought about this morning? It's time to get up already?

What’s the last thing you thought about before you went to sleep last night? Does life ever really slow down?

What do you have handy at your bedside? an alarm clock

Grilled or Fried? Grilled, at least when it comes to chicken

What makes you unique?I say things others don't and I look at life differently

Are you afraid of the dark? I fear darkness, but not the dark.

Favorite hangout? Anywhere with Joe.(Except Disco Biscuit concerts)

3 things food items you cannot live without? Olive oil, flour, and yeast

Are you a giver or a taker? Both, but I think everyone is. I give more to my kids than I take. And to my parents and husband I probably take more than I give.

Are you high maintenance? Again, it depends on the role in which I am playing. Joe would say I am high maintenance, but I think others wouldn't think so. (Oh and for the record if being high maintenance means I get to lay on the couch and watch TV all day, I want to become more high maintenance.)

What are your nicknames? Wello. Most people don't know that.

Mommy’s girl/boy or daddy’s girl/boy? Both…

What is your favorite thing about your dad? My dad is loyal and he loves us. I never doubted that.

What 1 thing would you take with you on a deserted island? Netflix and something to watch it on.

First thing you will save in a fire? I'm pretty sure I would be so overwhelmed that I wouldn't be able to save anything. I just shut down in moments of stress.

Blonde or Brunette boys? Brunette.

Whats your favorite color? I don't have a favorite color, that would require me to commit to something.

What are the things you always take with you? kids

What did you wanna be when you were a kid? I don't remember. It was that long ago.

What do you usually do when the clock turns 10:10? Nothing. Does anyone do something special?

What’s the color of your bedsheet? beige
Did America really put a man on the moon? Yes

So I took this off Kristine's blog and I think I accidently published it with her answers. I am so smart. If you are reading this part, these are my answers.

Wordless Wednesday

Ten On Tuesday

Things I Do Before 8:30 In The Morning

1. Laundry-At least start the never ending process

2. Dishes-Load and Unload dishwasher

3. Beds- Both me and the kids

4. Shower & Get Dressed- Both me and the kids

5. Make Lunches for Joe and Nicholas

6. Brush Teeth and Hair- Both me and the kids

7. Scriptures & Prayers-Personal and Family

8. 10 minutes of Yoga

9. Breakfast

10. Check E-mail

**Note: My friend Lucy does a list on her blog every Tuesday. The topic is suggested by an outside source and then she (and other bloggers I assume) write on that topic. Today the given topic was favorite birds. Since I'm not even sure I know the names of 10 birds I made up my own topic. (I cheat.)

*Disclaimer: I do have bad days where I do not make it through all 10 things.

We've been accepted

Denmark, here we come!

When we applied for the Lawyers without borders program we were told that we could be on the list for years. Apparently, all the natural disasters have made travelers more anxious about leaving the borders of the good old United States of America. But not us.

We did assume that when we did make it to the top of the list, we would be headed someplace where our rudimentary spanish would be useful, but apparently not. That's OK, we can live with it. We are very excited to begin our adventure.

So obviously you are asking when we are leaving, just check today's date and you will know.

to noel on our anniversary

As a special gift, I wish
I could give you a few more hours for every day.
But not to give you more time
to drive from place to place
or take care of your responsibilities
that multiply continuously.

Rather, I would prefer
that the sun didn't set so fast
so that we had more time
to walk through parks hand in hand,
to get away liek we always plan.

And more importantly,
to just do more of the same.
Such as talking and laughing,
driving from place to place together,
discussing our plans and future,
watching the boys
explore the world and discover
that regardless of what we have or do,
what makes us happiest,
is simply having time with each other.

Portraits of the boys

These were created with real black and white film.

Embracing the Geekiness

Lately there has been an onslaught of evidence that the members of the Metzger family are geeks.

Evidence #1

Spinner Magazine published a top 10 list of the biggest geeks in music. Near the very top at position number 3 is They Might Be Giants. The signicance of this? We love TMBG. They are the boy's favorite band. (Yes, even beating out Phish.) Nicholas got an MP3 player for Christmas which is loaded almost entirely with TMBG songs.

Evidence #2

Speaking of Christmas, Joe and I got the kids a telescope for Christmas. A really big one that can see the spot on Jupiter. Wrapped up it was taller than Holden and Matthew. Just the fact that we would get them that instead of something cool like a Wii, provides tons of proof into our inner geek.

Evidence #3

The other day our friends invited us to go to the Connecticut Science Museum with them. The boys were so excited you would have thought that we were on our way to Disney. Upon leaving they were so sad and kept asking when we were coming back. There is a fun, even if it is smaller, science museum in Springfield and if I were a willing participant, we would go daily. It isn't just science museums though. Given carte blance to pick an activity for our family to do in New York City, Holden chose to go to the Metropolitan Museum Of Art.

Evidence #4

Our trips to the library are a highlight of our week. We leave with about half the library. And not just fun books, but all sorts of non-fiction as well.

I think you are getting the idea, even if I don't mention the fact that I homeschool, that we sing in the car, that we all get super excited if we catch Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me (The NPR news quiz show) on the radio, or that last night the boys were hugely disappointed that I made them turn off a documentary on origami to go to bed.

While my first inclination was to deny the evidence and continue under the assumption that we are cool, I have decided to embrace the geekiness. Metzger are geeks. But, we're pretty cool ones.

Coolness

I have a tendency to worry that my children's current behavior is a foreshadowing of things to come.

For example, Matthew has become obsessed with being cool. He informed me that he is not cute but cool. My four year old also informed me that his super power is that you can not wipe his cool off. I know this is adorable, but instead of just enjoying the moment I become stressed of how this will play out when he is in middle school.

Hence, the following conversation which occurred after he asked me again if he was cool.

Me: Matthew, it is more important to do the right thing and follow Jesus than it is to be cool.

Matthew: Why?

Me: Because we love Jesus and want to be like him.

Matthew: Well, I think Jesus is cool.

Maybe I worry too much.

Follow the Prophet

Rudolph

Away in a manger