DC Day 2

Today we went to see the Capital Building.  Aden and Rylan became Junior DC police officers. 

We took a stroll through the botanical gardens

 

Then went to the Air and Space Museum. Pictures were not taken due to the lack of enough hands to grab both children and a camera. 

Back at the Museum of the Native American for some kid exhibits

Now, time for ice cream on the Mall

A quick jaunt to the Natural History Museum before the Sox game

IMAX movie: Monarch butterflies!

Real butterflies!!!

Now off to the Sox game at Camden yards. This was a great park. Pity the traffic was so congested so we arrived a bit later than we originally wanted, but our view made up for it. 

Some fireworks after the show made our night. 

Washington DC

The car trip was pretty good. Most of the time we slept or listened music

We started walking right before it down poured and sought refuge in the museum of the Native American

Everywhere we go we can see the  Capitol building. Today we went inside it. 

Street Law SCOTUS Institute Day 2

Great opening activity about certiorari.  Never thought selecting cases to go before SCOTUS could be so much fun.  Ciara and boys are off to Air and Space Museum while I continue with Justice Nominations.  One of the amazing aspects of this institute are the inside connections.  Last night we had a presentation by Patty Millet who has been nominated to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.  Today, two women who have worked in the Bush and Obama Administrations on Justice Selection.  

We finished today's session with a trip to the Supreme Court.  Two of the Court's clerks spoke with is about the process then we went to the Court room and heard from a guide.

  Ended up in the gift shop where I bought two ties. 

Back with fam, we meandered through traffic down to Baltimore for a Sox game.  Sox lost against great start by Chris Tillman.  Great fireworks show however and it was nice to see the fans lively.  

Tomorrow we do a moot court and then walk around with Ciara and the boys.  

Practicing.....

Testing, can I blog from my phone?

Back in School and Loving It!

Needless to say, this was a long rough year. I've very grateful to the faculty and students of Richmond Middle and High School for helping me to integrate into the community. Now its my turn to become the student. Moving back to Social Studies has invigorated me to go back to school to work along with other educators and adults passionate about teaching, public administration, governance, politics and learning. This week I started the Summer Technology Institute in Belfast. Its a week long course, I've very excited as it fits perfectly with my probationary teacher goals. I'll finish the course, participate in reading discussions and work on a project that I will actually be using in the class room. Perfect. I'll have a week reprieve and then my Public Administration Course begins. It will be a busy summer, hopefully I stay disciplined. I've been accepted into a C.A.S. program so these classes will count towards that degree and help me with my teaching.

Don't Call Me Shirley

Leslie Nielson died this morning. He starred in my favorite comedy of all time - Airplane!. He will forever represent wacky comedies and bonding with my grandfather - a self proclaimed dumb Polack from Brooklyn that smelled of Garcia y Vega Cigars and Smirnoff Vodka. Priceless.

Operation: Dinner Out

I made reservations at Apollo's Bistro in Waterville to celebrate our anniversary. We had eaten there once before. The spring after Aden was born, I surprised Ciara with a full day at the Spa including a lunch upstairs in the Bistro. She has had her haircut there since, but this was our first opportunity to dress up and enjoy a night out for dinner. Ciara wore the dress I bought for her in Boston. She had been looking for shoes with Marie and I was keeping an eye on Aden. In doing so, I saw an extremely HOT dress and told Ciara she had to try it on. Needless to say, she sizzled and insisted we buy it.

Ciara ordered the Mixed Apple Salad as a starter. On the salad was a stuffed Squash blossom that was fantastic.

For our main meals, Ciara had the Butter Poached Lobster with homemade gnocchi in a beur blanc sauce.


I had braised rib over tagliattle with a bolognese sauce. MMMM. Both dishes were delicious but my favorite was the gnocchi.

We followed dinner with coffee and dessert - a flourless chocolate torte for me and creme brulee for her. She said it was the best she had ever had. We then went and saw Dinner for Schmucks. It was good, but the evening alone with her was great.