Bits and Bots...

For comparison, this is the REAL Ponte Vecchio...
Molly is proving to be a marvelous Magna Doodle artist! She was doing this completely from memory! Wow!

William was none too certain about the alligators at the National Aquarium.

He seemed fascinated by this peep hole though!

This Anti Slavery book was quite disturbing, but William was enjoying saying his ABC's with it!

The Town Crier!

By far, the most appropriate outfit for William!

Even a Monkey can play this piano!

Fun in the barrel at Romp and Roll!

We haven't actually been too busy lately. I am recovering well and preparing for my next surgery on 1/20 for my left hand. William has a nasty cold and has now given it to me, so I am hoping we will both be recovered by next week. William is really enjoying having another person around, though he is a really crummy roommate! He climbs out of his crib and wakes Molly up very early every morning. He is singing more and more these days, and was up early serenading Molly with the Teletubbies theme song this morning!

Is This Glass Bullet-Proof ?

William observes the Snowman with some interest mixed with trepidation...
The Snowman scared me more than William!

We passed by many,many broken down and abandoned structures...

Old train cars...

Makeshift dumps...

Graffiti emblazoned scrap metal recycling yards...

Graffiti emblazoned train cars...

More refuse....(note the Church Steeple in the background)

Part of the B&O Museum experience includes a 30 minute ride on a real train. It runs on the actual original mile of track that was first laid in the United States! However, it turns out that this is also one of the most run down miles of track in the United States... The odd thing was, as we were passing by row after row of tenement buildings and a virtual dumping ground for all things metal, no longer used, the train was playing Christmas music and we got a visit from Frosty the Snowman handing out candy canes. It was a really strange contrast!

B & O Railroad Museum...

Engineer Molly!
Notice how huge the engine is next to William!

Richard takes the controls!

Molly, William, and Richard sitting in the caboose...

They had TONS of model trains set up for the Holiday...

William peeking out through the end gate of a train car...

A coal heater in a train car...

William actually got to put coal in it!

Molly and Pudd peeking out of a train car...

Mommy and Pudd...

William looking out into the roundhouse...

Happy New Year! - Caution- Many Pictures!!!

The United States Botanical Garden has a special exhibit during the holiday season. They recreate all major Capitol buildings out of only plant materials. They also have amazing trains set up going around a neat village. It was fantastic and William loved it!

The White House- note the swingset for Malia and Sasha!
The Jefferson Memorial- There is even a little Thomas Jefferson inside!

Washington Monument

William exploring a Banana leaf...

Jason and Pudd pretending to be Jungle Explorers!

The Castle was the Centerpiece, at least 15 feet high!

Pagoda...

Mommy, Molly and Pudd...

Part of the little train village...

Santa's Workshop...

The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe...

Another Fairytale House...

The 7 Dwarves House...

Choo Choo Train....

Jason looks as intrigued as William!

More Village...

Mommy and Pudd...

Molly won First Prize for her Supreme Court Model! Ha!

There were so many beautiful orchids...

The gigantic US Capitol Model, including the Grant statue in front...

Molly and Kelly ringing in the New Year!!!

Cowboy William enjoying his Christmas presents...

All in all we have had a great holiday. My hand is still not supposed to be used, hence the lack of posting. Hope everyone is having a great New Year!