Chris graduated with a BA in Intelligence Studies from AMU (American Military University) this spring. There were no plans to travel to a commencement ceremony until they unveiled that it would be held in DC at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall. DAR holds a special place in the Vensko family as Kaye (Chris' Gma) has worked tirelessly to uncover lineage and ancestry records and prove her and her daughter belong to this unique community of women. It was an opportunity to take a quick tour around DC with Chris' Gma and Dad and celebrate all Chris' hard work over the years knocking out school with a family, full time job (double time if you know my hubby's work ethic), and consistently inconsistent business travel.
The ceremony was unique and memorable and included hundreds, possibly thousands of graduates......
Jake eventually got tired of all that listening and clapping.
Yay Daddy!
The Hall was beautiful and right in the heart of historic DC with the White House only a block away.
Jake was pretty rambunctious and funny when it came to bed time in the hotel. One night as we all got into bed and turned out the lights he insisted on talking about his "boogies" for at least a half an hour. He went on and on about how big they were and even how they were stuck! He never seemed that interested in them before and I know he was just trying to make us laugh and respond. Our protocol is to not engage in conversation with him in hopes that he will go to sleep sooner, but we were all just giggling under the sheets. Then to top it off when all was finally quiet I sneezed and you hear the sweetst little boy voice say "bless you mommy!". I engaged (how could I not?) "thank you honey, thanks you very much". So cute!
Time for some sight seeing!
The Obamas were so gracious and said to come back anytime. :) We went to a very exciting and delicious Mexican restaurant on our last day near Dupont circle and these life size cut-outs made for some fun pictures.
Gma Kaye getting it all on camera.
The only other time that I have been to the DC area was right before Chris deployed in teen degree temps. The monuments were empty, the fountains were frozen with snow on the ground, and it was a more somber experience just because it was winter. This time around summer was in full bloom with flowers, people, and even a roller hockey game in front of the White House. Both were different experiences that I cherish for different reasons.
Jake was a trooper given all the traveling we did, but the tyrant and defiant side kicked into full gear as soon as the plane took off from Hawaii. He understands a bit more about emotions now and used that to his full advantage as he would hit, push away, and then softly say sorry with a gentle pat only to do it again in 2 minutes. Vacations are often hustle bustle and he seemed to do better once we headed back to LA for down time with the family.
The Washington Monument. Just a side note, I was bent over nearly touching my toes to get this picture and Gma Kaye has the picture of my backside to prove it! Ha, but it turned out great.
Looking down from the Washington monument onto the Lincoln Memorial. One monument lead to another and made for a walk worthy day.
The WWII monument was beautiful and quite a sight to see with the fountains. All along the wall upon entering it were sculptures of various scenes from that era, this one in particular was of the Airborne rangers.
Dancing up the Lincoln Memorial steps is the only way to go.
Everywhere we looked there seemed to be a perfect shot of another memorial or historic building in the background. The planning, building, and most of all the meaning behind them all was so great to experience together.
On our last day we decided to hit up the museums, in particular the Smithsonian. Little did I know that the Smithsonian actually encompasses 18 or so different museums that were all connected by secret gardens with flowers and sculptures. The best part was that it was all FREEEEEEEEEE!!!! You could walk into the museum of Natural History and walk right out to enter the museum of African Art if you so pleased. In Hawaii we have a couple small museums that are nice and abundant in Hawaiian and Asian culture, but they all cost money are not interactive enough to keep me interested or return with a fee. I loved the free part....LOVED IT!
Passing through a garden after exploring the Museum of Natural History (the one with all the dino bones and the biggest diamond ever) and on our way to the Air and Space museum.
This museum was great to let Jake on the loose as there was a great interactive area (that I had to pull Chris away from) and part of a 1940's era plane that Jake could run through and through again and again...and he did, again and again. I don't even think he looked around inside he just liked to run up the stairs through the aircraft and back down over and over.
Finally GGma loured Jake away from the plane with her secret stash of gummy bears and instantly Jake turned on the charm with a hug and kiss in exchange for some sweets.
After a few short days in DC, Chris stayed for the week to work and we all headed back to LA. Jake and I went down to Long Beach to spend some quality time with my Mom.
Of course we had to do some shopping while we were in town....
I am pretty sure that this is true for most kids, but I know for mine that if you want to have a somewhat decent day to include shopping or getting anything productive done, it's best to alternate that with a freedom activity where Jake can run, explore, and be the wild child that he is. Even in 50 degree temps the beach sounded appealing for just such an activity and Jake loved chasing the birds up and down the beach.
I was freezing.
Jake and Oma waving to the lifeguard boat.
My Mom bought this wagon for Jake, which he absolutely loved. But what he loved even more than riding around the neighborhood in it was pulling, insistently all by himself I might add, the dog around in it. He pulled him all the way up the block and back...Ironman worthiness already in his genes!
A final fun activity on our last day in Long Beach was a trip to the stables. They offered short pony rides, a petting zoo, and a chance to walk along the stables and admire the horses. Jake was a natural and honestly I think he was waiting for the "giddy up" part that never came.
That night Chris flew back into town and we headed up to Santa Clarita for the duration of our trip. A family tradition of making Kooskies for breakfast was calling my prego appetite and to make sure that I got enough to eat (there is never enough of these yummy things) I declared a Kooskie Cook-Off! The secret ingredients to this wonderful dish are simple, but how much of what you put in makes a big difference in the taste (all of which I like by the way). Four contestants were up for the challenge and each had to make their own batch for the rest of the family to judge. Stan, Chris, Kim, and Gma & Gpa did a great job and in the end, I was full and felt like the winner for conning everyone else into just making sure that I had enough Kooskies in my belly. mmm, yummy memories :)
Stan and Kim have quite different scooping methods, but ultimately Stan was the first one with his pot on the table!
Chris has a tedious and time consuming method, but it was all worth the wait.
Great job everyone!!! Jake can't even put down his spoon to take a picture.
While at the Vensko's we enjoyed the pool, all the food that we are deprived of in Hawaii, and most of all the trampoline.
Jake was all about his Auntie Kate. He would grab her hand the minute she walked into the room and convince her to play with him as long as he could.
My Mom, Jenny, and Kate jumping during the family graduation BBQ for all the graduates. Chris with his BA, Thomas from HS, and Kate from Jr. High. Congrats!
Kevin and Thomas defying gravity.....
Chris aiding Thomas in a great lift off.
Uncle T and Jake channeling the Mohawk for graduation.
What we do to get a child to look and smile for a camera....:)
Congrats Thomas!
Celebrations followed and many great memories were made. We had a great graduation vacation and are headed back to Cali next week for a good friends wedding. A close friend of Chris' and the best man at our wedding is getting marriend in Chico, CA. Chris is the best man with Jake as the ring bearer. Do I have to train him? I probably should try and use some wedding dialogue and make walking down the hallway with a steady pillow at hand a fun activity for the next few days. What will I do if he refuses....oh geeze. Any words of encouragement from others is welcome and cross your fingers for us!
