Batts Go to Washington - Day 5.5

Tonight, I took Hunter out for a very special evening at Medieval Times - we had a blast!

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Seating is first come, first serve, so Hunter and I got there about an hour early. After we had our tickets, we wandered around to see the sights, and then sat down with some pine coladas (just like the lords and ladies of old ;o) While we waited, we talked about what it might have been like to live during the middle ages. Hunter decided that being a prince would be awesome :o)



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Each section is color coded, and you are supposed to cheer for that color knight - our knight was the red one



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The knights of the realm, being welcomed by the king



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Hunter (ever manners-conscious) was not pleased about having to eat with his hands haha, but he did well :o)

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I received a flower from our good knight - the lady behind me really does not look pleased about it haha

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Satisfied customer

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And of course, a stop at the gift shop before we left - Hunter also picked out something for his sister - a lovely piece of headwear :o)

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I wish Justin could have joined us, but we decided that Morgan probably wouldn't do well at her age - hopefully next time we can all go, but for tonight, it was a very special night for Hunter and I :o)

(ps: check out videos on the school blog!)

Batts Go to Washington - Day 5

Today we went to the Smithsonian National Zoo! It was a great day to be at the zoo, a little bit muggy, but it wasn't hot, so it was fine!

Our visit was made even more special because an old friend from Glenbard East joined us! Michelle and her husband live out this way with their two adorable kids - it was a great meetup!

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This Orangutan was actually swinging on a cable that stretches across the walkways! It is a little unnerving, but very cool - and there is a zoo employee nearby to make sure people aren't standing directly underneath as they pass by (ie: the *splash* zone...ewwww)


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We decided this guy must be a Grateful Dead fan :o) (Morgan was not amused by these roaming orangatans - poor thing :o)


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Briana and Morgan :o)

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Michelle and I!

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I think the zoo will go down in the books as Morgan's favorite Washington DC spot! It was a really fun day - now on to a special, Mother/Son date tonight!

Batts Go to Washington - Day 5

Today we checked out the Smithsonian Museum of American History! We spent three hours, and I think we saw *maybe* half - hopefully we'll go back on Friday to see the rest!

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What we did see was amazing! (please excuse the poor photo quality - the regular lens for my good nikon fell victim to the attack of a two year old - any pics not taken with my super zoom lens are taken with a low-quality regular old camera... and the lighting in most of the exhibits was VERY low!)

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This is the Gunboat Philadelphia - 'The Philadelphia was one of a fleet of Continental gunboats that stopped the advance of British forces on Lake Champlain during the Battle of Valcour Island in 1776. Sunk during the battle, it was discovered and raised in 1935'




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George Washington's dress uniform (the *actual* thing!) worn for formal events and official portraits



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Here, Hunter is discovering the various types of food that the continental army had to eat


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Hunter, trying to make fire using flint and steel


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George Washington's sword (again, the *actual* thing!) Also, the tea table on the left was Washington's, from his home in Mount Vernon




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This was a very cool section of the WWII exhibit, set up like a stage, with film clips of USO shows (we saw Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, and the Andrews Sisters)



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I found this item to be particularly amazing - it is the *actual* top hat that Lincoln wore on the night he was assassinated at the Ford Theatre in 1865



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A gravy boat from John and Abigail Adams' china set, which they personally purchased from France in 1780


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From the 'America on the Move' exhibit - an L train from Chicago in the 1950's

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One amazing thing we saw, that you aren't allowed to take pictures of, was the original 'Star Spangled Banner'! It is the 30' x 34' flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the battle of Baltimore in 1814, and inspired Francis Scott Key to write what would become our national anthem! The enormous flag is housed in an 'environmentally controlled', dimly lit chamber, so you can't take any pictures - you'll just have to trust me, it was awesome!

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On our way back to the car, we stopped to take some photos with the good camera, just for fun!

Smithsonian Castle:

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Handsome young man:

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Sweet little, uncooperative, Morgan :o)

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Playing around on the National Mall

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It was another great day here in our nation's capital! Tomorrow it's on to the National Zoo!

Batts Go to Washington - Day 4

Today we went back to the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space, but this time we found an awesome parking spot, right in front of the museum, which equals 3 free hours of parking!
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First we checked out the exhibit about commercial flight in America:



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Here, Hunter could move the wings and flaps from models of various planes throughout history, and compare how they function


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"You can be my wingman anytime."

"Bullsh*t! You can be mine."



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After a walk through the fighter jet exhibit, we went on a flight simulator. We chose the F16 simulator, which was mild enough that I could take Morgan on, but still awful enough that I was dizzy for quite some time afterwards - but Hunter had fun, so who cares :o)

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After the simulator, we made our way upstairs, to the 'Air and Sea Operations' exhibit! This one is particularly near and dear to our hearts :o)


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This exhibit was wonderful, and it absolutely made you feel as if you were walking through the real deal!

This next picture is for my dad :o)


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They had a video of planes landing on the flight deck, which made you feel like you were on the bridge!


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Here is the other side, with planes taking off


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After the aircraft carrier, it was on to the exhibit about the planets, old news as Hunter has been working hard to learn the planets, but he did enjoy this model -


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Replica of Amelia Earhart's plane. This exhibit had tons of fascinating info (did you know that Amelia Earhart designed her own line of clothing and luggage??)


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Probably one of my favorite exhibits - the Wright Brothers!


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Replica of the 1903 flyer - made of "spruce, canvas, and good old fashion American ingenuity" (lovely quote from Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian :o)


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On our way out, we took one more pass through the 'How Things Fly' exhibit. Here, Hunter is standing on a scale that tells him what his weight would be on various planets. I would like to propose legislation that would make it legal to give your moon weight on your driver's license!


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Checking out what goes on in the engine when the propeller is turned


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Learning about thrust vs. propeller in a vacuum (hint: thrust wins!)


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And finally, Here is Hunter, standing next to the Appolo 11 command module - what a day!




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I think we can declare today's museum visit a success!

Tomorrow, we are headed to the Museum of American History - stay tuned!