Today we took a walk around the monuments and ended early afternoon to give everyone a chance to rest and the kids a chance to play in the pool. We started by getting off the blue line at Arlington and walking across the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial. From there we went by the Korean War Memorial and the MLK Memorial. We again ate lunch from a lunch truck, passed by the White House, stopped for coffee and finished up at McPherson Square Metrorail Station for the trip back to the hotel. Izzy is having the time of her life with Apuuli.
Selfie with Izzy at the Lincoln MemorialGroup picture at the Lincoln Memorial (Dad was still wandering through the exhibit downstairs). Susanna, Izzy, and me with Barbara and Apuuli.Izzy and Apuuli at the Lincoln Memorial.Izzy on the Arlington Memorial Bridge.At the Lincoln Memorial.Playing on the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
Today we enjoyed a leisurely start, eating breakfast (Izzy eating 2 breakfasts) at the hotel and heading into the city to visit the Museum of Natural History. The museum was a hit for the kids, with the favorites being the T-rex fossil (eating a Triceratops), the mummies in the Egypt section, and the crystals and gems sections. We had lunch and a subsequent ice-cream snack at the food trucks that were outside the museum.
After the museum, we attempted to walk to the White House to get a look, but were overtaken by events. The Easter Egg Roll had the entire area blocked off, and some problem in the subway kept us from taking the blue line back to our car. After careful consultation with the oracle called Google, we were able to find a bus route that took us back to our car.
The kids headed to the pool as soon as we got to the hotel, and we ate take-out for dinner.
Izzy enjoying the Natural History Museum.The favorite exhibit!Susanna enjoying a coffee with a little photobomb by Izzy.
This weekend Will and I headed to Boston for a short trip. He had wanted to visit the Museum of Science and maSantarpio’s Pizzake a weekend out of the trip.
The plan was to head out when we woke up on Saturday morning and visit the museum. We didn’t have a fixed schedule, but a few ideas of where we could go. We woke up to a warm and humid Connecticut morning hinting at a hot and unpleasant day to walk around a city. However, the weather in Boston was perfect. Warm with a breeze pushing away the humidity by the time we got there.
We said our goodbyes to a crying Izzy, put on a Malcom Gladwell podcast (that Will tolerated) and headed north. Our first stop was a used bookstore near the Boston Commons, the Brattle Book Shop. We found parking a few blocks away (weekend parking after most of the universities are done for the year is not too bad). Will picked up a Shakespeare play for a friend, and I just wandered around the store for a while.
On the way back to the car we grabbed lunch at Jacob Wirth Restaurant prior to driving over the the Museum of Science. We spent a few hours wandering around the museum. One could easily spend an entire day at the museum. But with ADHD, we tended to bounce around a bit. We did find good seats for the lightning show and finished up early afternoon.
After checking into the hotel, we caught a late afternoon showing of “Deadpool 2” and then had dinner at Santarpio’s Pizza. I laughed so hard during the movie that I cried, though the language would make a submarine sailor proud. Pizza was perfect. I know the thin crust isn’t Will’s favorite, but I love it.
The walk around the hotel. Chelsea, MA
Sunday morning was cold and wet. At least the rain held off until we were driving home. After breakfast I went for a short walk around the hotel, but quickly decided that a short sleeve shirt was under-dressed. Plus the neighborhood wasn’t the most scenic for walking.
We drove to Harvard Square to wander around and find another bookstore. The used bookstore we had planned to visit wasn’t open, so we wandered around the Harvard Coop bookstore where Will picked up the next two books in the series he is reading. We stopped by the Curious George store and got Izzy another stuffed animal (not like she needs any though).
We grabbed a light lunch and extra bagels at a Brueggers Bagels and headed out of the city to our final stop – Mindtrek VR in Marlborough, MA. We signed up for an hour-long game. The setup and game were pretty cool. We strapped on the VR gear and wandered around a large room. We had a team of five. The first game was defending against zombies and the second was walking through a space station shooting robots. The virtual reality was pretty cool – there were walks across virtual catwalks high in the air. I don’t like heights, so they were a little scary. Even though I was really walking on a flat concrete floor, it seemed way up in the air. Will and I certainly weren’t the best shooters on our team, but we had fun and it was a lot of work. I broke into a sweat just walking around the virtual world (and my few hundred feet of space in the real world).
A quick upload while waiting in Kastrup for our flight to Oslo (and then home). Note to self: the WiFi at CPH is very good for a free connection.
More pictures of the lake from Dan’s cabin.
Kronobergs slott (castle), Sweden.
Will on the walkway to Kronobergs slott near Växjö in Småland, Sweden. The ruins are located on an island in lake Helgasjön. Will, Susanna and I went to the ruins while Ben went fishing with Dan.
On Friday, the boys and I took the train from Copenhagen to Alvesta, Sweden. We had to switch trains twice – our original train from Copenhagen was cancelled and we had to pass through an ID check at Kastrup Airport before crossing the border into Sweden. It was a little stressful to have to figure out where to go, but at least the people at the information desk spoke English.
In Copenhagen central station, we met a French family on their way to Stockholm that spoke little English and no Swedish. They stuck with us for the train swaps at Kastrup and again at Malmo. Their daughter sat next to Will on the train ride from Copenhagen to Kastrup, thinking he was older. She was shocked when he said he was 13. She was 18. Of course, it embarrasses Will when I tell the story. But his new haircut makes him look older.
On Saturday, we had Isabella’s christening – Susanna posted pictures on Isabella’s website.
Sunday was an easy day. We cleaned up from the celebration and the boys took it easy.
Monday we went to Kosta and got fish pedicures and ate lunch. After lunch we took a guided tour of the glass blowing factory. In the evening, Susanna’s sister, Rebecka, took the train back to her home, and we headed out to Susanna’s Dad, Dan’s, cabin which is near Sävsjöström, Sweden on Alstern Lake. The boys and I were going to camp out for the night, but after dinner Will felt sick, so Will and I came home while Ben camped out with Dan.
This morning, Will, Susanna and I went back to the cabin and joined Ben and Dan for breakfast. Breakfast was followed by checking out Dan’s harvester, and Ben rode along while Dan took down a few trees. We spent this afternoon taking it easy and playing kubb while the boys took turns trying to figure out the antique (1960s) moped.
Susanna keeping warm next to the sauna at the cabin on the lake.
Enjoying the brisk Swedish evening on Alstern Lake, Sweden.
A low camera angle and short (8-inch) wall make Will look like a giant at Herråkra Church, Sweden
Will and Ben watching the glass blowers work at Kosta, Sweden.
Will taking alone time to carve points on sticks at the cabin on the lake.
Susanna’s sister, Sofia, setting up flowers at the church the day before her wedding.
Susanna, beautiful as always, ready for Sofia’s wedding (and of course, 4 months pregnant). Sofia had to fix Susanna’s hair the day before the wedding after declaring that the hair cut she got here before the trip looked like a 5-year-old had cut it. Rebecka added that she thought that Susanna had cut it herself. Both honest as only sisters can be.
Hanging out with Susanna’s grandmothers (Ruth and Kerstin) in traditional dresses (Värendsdräkt) from their region in Sweden. Time for the reception and drinking to begin.
I’ve been a little slow to finish posting the pictures from St. Louis. We have had a busy 10 days since we got back from our vacation. Now I need another vacation.
Benjamin exploring the roof of the City Museum. Yes, that is a bus hanging over the edge of the roof. It reminded me that I don’t really like heights.
Susanna and Benjamin resting before our tour of Cathedral Cavern.
Susanna enjoying the City Museum, St. Louis. Beautiful as always.
Susanna, the boys, and I are taking a little over a week to drive to St. Louis and visit family. We spent a couple of days in the Ozarks camping in a huge cabin (so not really camping). We spent two days floating on the rivers down there, and even toured a cave (Cathedral Cave). Today we went to the City Museum for the morning, and tonight we will watch fireworks in Webster Groves. Here are some pictures from the trip so far:
Ben and Brady taking a break at the City Museum
Susanna and my dad at the entrance to the Cathedral Cave.
Climbing at the City Museum, St. Louis.
The Curtis boys at the City Museum, St. Louis.
Exploring the City Museum, St. Louis.
Will and Ben in motion (as always). City Museum,St. Louis.
More pictures from our family vacation to Cancun, Mexico last week. Just in because maybe someone isn’t sick of vacation pictures. Anyway, I’m almost done. Probably one more dump of pictures tomorrow night.
Will playing at the beach by our hotel and completely ignoring Susanna’s requests to look up for the picture.
Enjoying the beach by the hotel (picture by Benjamin).
Benjamin enjoying his drink by the beach (and not too happy to be the subject of the photograph).
On Tuesday, Will and I borrowed one of the resort’s catamarans for a short sail. Despite many hours sailing our own sailboat, a water depth of maybe 20 feet, and life jackets, Will clung to the middle of the boat for most of the trip. He said it wasn’t the same without a cockpit to sit in.
Benjamin enjoying the swimming pool at the resort.
Susanna: “Just one more picture, please.”
On Wednesday, Ben and I went on a snorkeling adventure for the morning. Here we are waiting to get underway out to the reef.
Benjamin enjoying the water at the reef on our snorkeling adventure on Wednesday.
One of the may underwater sights that Ben and I saw on our snorkeling adventure.
Benjamin swimming ahead of me at the reef.
Benjamin enjoying a break after snorkeling, before our van ride back to the hotel. “Dad, can you get me another drink, please?”