Places to Go - Nags Head, NC (The Outer Banks)

If you are a parent with young children (too young for school) or if you don't have children, there is no better deal on the East Coast than the Outer Banks after Labor Day. The rates plummet, the crowds leave, BUT the water is warm and the weather is perfect (usually mid-80s during the day, turning cooler at night). Since this is F's last year as a preschooler (next year = kindergarden, yikes) we couldn't wait to take advantage of the low September rent. We found this beautiful, beautiful house through a rental agency (there are literally thousands to choose from) and invited my parents to come with us. My dad has stage four cancer (he's doing incredibly well, but sometimes he has trouble walking), thus it was important to me that we booked an oceanfront house. But if you're flexible, there are tons of houses farther back for much cheaper (though make sure to rent somewhere that provides hurricane insurance, as it is the season).

So off we headed with a minivan full of stuff (including a bag of dinosaurs and several headbands). We haven't been to the beach in almost two years, plus, this was T's first trip ever, so I wasn't sure what the general reaction would be. Luckily, as soon as we arrived, the girls RAN onto shore and played and played (before we even had time to get bathing suits on them). And the baby would have walked into the ocean if it weren't for grandma (thank god for grandparents). So off to a good start . . .

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Places to Go - The National Gallery of Art (Washington D.C)

All summer long, I've been wanting to see Allen Ginsberg's photography show at the National Gallery of Art (yes, I still like On the Road, despite being in my thirties). Further, I've read about the National Gallery's Stories in Art program (for children ages 4-7) and wanted to check it out. Well, summer being summer, time sort of slipped away from us. And before I knew it, the Ginsberg exhibit was about to close (it ended in early September) and the summer session of Stories in Art had ended (the winter series begins in January). So, during Ginsberg's final week, I packed up the children (all three) and drove the mini-van to the National Gallery (or, rather, the $22 parking lot next to National Gallery).

I was a little nervous as art museum's aren't exactly made for children. This fear was not alleviated as I entered the galleries and encountered several mean stares from the other patrons (and at this point in the morning my children were all exceptionally well-behaved). Still I persevered and watching F (my almost-five year old) and P (my almost-4 year old) react to the art was truly wonderful. I loved all their questions - "Mom, why's that lady sad? Why is that man purple? Why is that girl wearing such a fancy dress? What's that a picture of? Isn't this the most beautiful thing ever?" etc. The baby, however, was a different story. I was hoping he would relax in his stroller (as he often does) but all T wanted to do was attack the art. Full-scale attack. So we had to leave (sadly). Luckily, we did have a chance to check out the Ginsberg exhibit, but unfortunately (1) black and white photos bore my children. REALLY bore my children and (2) all of the photos had handwritten captions which my children would not let me read (see my picture above of the Neal Cassidy pic). On the upside, on the way out we stumbled across an Alex Katz painting, I'm a little obsessed with him lately so I was sort of awestruck for a moment.

Despite our need to escape the museum, the day was not lost, as the National Gallery has a lovely sculpture garden, complete with a cafe and a gigantic fountain. So we spent the rest of the day at the fountain eating ice cream and chasing ducks. And watching the baby attack the landscaping (much better than attacking art). All in all a lovely day.

How about everyone else? Has anyone ever tried the Stories in Art program? How is it?

Things to Do - Smell Flowers and Play in Rain

Even though I'm a stay-at-home mom, I'm actually quite awful at staying home with my kids. I'm always jealous of parents who can spend the whole day in the house and have a wonderful time (and a little awestruck by them). It's not that I don't try, but after a few hours the mess starts to drive me crazy, as does the destruction, the noise, and the inability to sit on a couch and read a book. Thus, we're always going places. Which is fun. But lately I'm trying to remind myself how fun it can be just to relax and look around and watch my children's minds at work - changing blocks into neighborhoods, throwing a birthday party for a stuffed animal, dancing to the Yo Gabba Gabba album. Or just smelling/attacking flowers and playing in the rain. Because some days you don't need to go anywhere. Really. Or so I keep trying to tell myself.

What about everyone else? What are the best ways to stay at home with kids and still relax? Any suggestions?

Have a great weekend! See you on Monday!

Places to Go - The Jefferson Memorial (Washington D.C.)

Despite the fact that we live less than fifteen minutes from the National Mall, we rarely visit the monuments. Part of the reason has to do with a horrific experience involving F's desire at the age of 2 to climb all the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial (where to put the stroller? what if she falls? Or (more likely) what if one of the ten zillion tourists crushes her?). Further the parking situation by the reflecting pool never makes things easy. I find it grueling, at best.

But the Jefferson Memorial is an entirely different story. First of all, it has its own HUGE FREE parking lot, which took me over two years to discover. To get there just take the Park Police exit off of 395N and you'll find it. Second, crowds do not flock to the Jefferson Memorial in the numbers they do to the other memorials (except during cherry blossom season). And, most importantly, the statue itself is surrounded by huge beautiful lawns. If you have children these lawns are perfect for duck duck goose or picnics or even mild games of tag. And, if you go at night, the memorial is a great place to watch dusk fall over the city and the tidal basin. which is beautiful. My oldest daughter now asks to go to the "big statue" all the time. if you live in the DC area, you should go there. now. seriously. now.