Damnit Jim! I'm a Toddler, Not an Astronaut!

Apologies to Dr. McCoy and a hearty scolding to anyone who doesn't recognize the oft-uttered Star Trek phrase. But it's on my mind, having spent the afternoon with our dear friends the Riviellos (and their terrific kids, Tote, Julia and James) at the Udvar Hazy Center. They were in town from Pennsylvania for a parents play date: a chance to hear the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra perform and dinner out. Meanwhile the kids took over the livingroom with plates of pizza and a stack of movies -- Harry is now in love with Ratatouille, thanks to our sleepover.

This morning, after heaps of waffles, we headed over to UHazy and its mecca of airplanes. Harry and Tote literally ran through the cavernous place yelling "mommy look at this plane! Mommy look at this one!" They reminded me of Irish Setters, pointing here, pointing there. (To the left you'll see them piloting a Cesna together). But the headliner of Hazy is definitely the Space Shuttle Enterprise, featured on Potty Mouth this summer. It was just as great this time, and thanks to the passage of time, Harry was at least 10 times more excited to see it, if that's even possible.