Secret Magazine Exchange

To pass time on the airplane, we will all need a new magazine to keep us occupied! So, to add a little spice, Delaine came up with the idea to draw names (like for Aunt Allyne's Christmas). Depending on whose name you draw, you would select a magazine that fits her (or Jackson's) particular interests. Next week we will all exchange our gifts at Mamaw's, since Mallory and I will be home for Easter.

Since physically drawing names is quite impractical via internet, we are going to switch things up a bit! Comment on this blog with your name and the number of your choice (between 1-9). Please don't repeat numbers! First comment, first serve! After you select a number, I will email/text/phone you with your assigned name (because each number represents a name)! If you have any questions- or if I didn't explain this well enough- you can also post those in the comment box! 

Oh, because deadlines are our friends, you have until Wednesday, March 28, 2012 11:59pm to comment with a number before you are randomly assigned a name.

Memorable Museums

I [Meredith] wanted to create a post so that everyone could chime in without having to create an entire post alone (because we all know how much Macy hates doing anything alone :D)... So let's all pitch in snapshot thoughts about other museums we have visited! Comment on this post, or, if you want more space, create a new one!!

Since I am a Fightin' Texas Aggie I'll share about the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum on the Texas A&M Campus. I have visited the museum a couple of times; the first was with my family, and the second with the Harmony FFA. With my family I remember the virtual parachute trip and the puzzle Macy bought that we put together over and over and over. We also took pictures outside the museum by the statue of horses. Otherwise I don't remember a whole lot about the trip; however, the ag trip was just last year. We were killing time while the other teams where participating in their state contest so we had plenty of time to look around. 

The feature exhibit at that time was The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection and First Ladies Red Dress Collection. There were beautiful red dresses of all types that had been worn by past first ladies and other famous ladies. 

We also had fun testing out the Oval Office and President Bush's Laurel Office at Camp David. 

Finally, we spent a lot of time in the really comfortable chairs in the Situation Room, where really important decisions are made at the White House.

Overall, I really enjoyed my trip to the George Bush Library and Museum and can't wait to visit the Metropolitan Museum and American Museum of Natural History in N.Y.C.!

Now it's your turn! Comment on this blog and tell about a memorable museum visit you have had!

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Originally opened February  1872, the current building was built in 1874.


The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Grant Wood, American artist


Head of Tutankhamun

Arms and Armor Gallery
Vermeer, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher



Van Gogh, Wheatfield with Cypresses



George Washington Crossing the Delaware
Leutze




Mary Cassatt: Young Mother Sewing
Gallery765

Empire State Building, NYC

Empire State Building…Looking up
The Empire State Building is built on land that was once bought for $ 2, 600 by John Thompson for a farm. Later the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was built on a part of this land and eventually sold for an estimated 20 million in 1928.The actual building began on March 17, 1930. With a labor force of 3000 men the framework rose 4 1/2 stories per week.  On May 1,  1931 President Hoover pressed a switch in Washington D.C.  and turned on the lights, the building was officially opened.
The ESB has its own zip code, 10118.
102 floors
In 1950 a new antenna made the building 217 feet higher, for a total height of 1,467 feet.
Looking down

Some of the tallest buildings members of the Lyle Family have been to…
CN Tower, 1,815 ft., 5th tallest in the world; Toronto, Canada
Willis Tower, 1,730 ft. , formerly Sears Tower in Chicago, 1974 – 1998 tallest in the world. 7th tallest, presently.
World Trade Center, 1,727 ft,  tallest building in the world, 1972-1974, tallest building ever destroyed.
John Hancock Building,  1,500 ft.,World's tallest mixed-use building 1969–2008
Empire State Building, 1,474 ft, tallest freestanding structure 1931 – 1967; Tallest skyscraper 1931-1973; First skyscraper with 100+ floors, presently 17th tallest.

KK wins the prize, I think - for being up in all of them!

Why are the two heights of the Empire State Building different? I don't know - still researching...

The Statue

Did you know…
That the statue, representing liberty, was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States for its centennial?

That the statue arrived from Paris, France in 1885 and was stored until the pedestal could be completed in 1886?

That the correct name of the Statue of Liberty is Liberty Enlightening the World ?

The seven rays of her crown show that Liberty can enlighten the seven continents and the seven seas ?

The island that Liberty Enlightening the World stands upon was at one time Fort Wood. The 11 point star fort aided in the protection of the New York Harbor?

Now you know! Check out the nps page to learn more fascinating facts.
www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm

Ava

An Apple a Day Kept the Fighting Away!

Growing up, Michael, Jeffrey, and I had the privilege of traveling with Maw-maw, Grandaddy, and Delaine many summers.  One summer, I remember going to Carlsbad Caverns.  Maw-maw took a picture at every corner we turned as we entered the cave!  Maw-maw, are you bringing your camera?  I'm sure we will have many picture taking opportunities! :)  

Another trip, I remember driving through the Badlands.  We were a little worried we might run out of gas while we were out in the middle of nowhere and as we continued to see abandoned cars on the side of the road, we became even more worried.  I believe in New York, we should not have to be concerned about being out in the middle of nowhere! 

Last, but CERTAINLY not least was the time we crossed the Rio Grande in a row boat.  I was scared to death while riding in the boat, but I guess if it had tipped over the men pushing us would have been able to save me!  Thankfully, I am no longer scared of boats.  This is good since we will be riding the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.  I believe that water might be a bit deeper than where we were on the Rio Grande.  

During all of these trips, Maw-maw encouraged us to eat an apple each day.  This was supposed to keep us from fighting (I'm not sure of how well that helped, JJ and MM were kind of mean).  Now that we are going to the Big Apple, we might need to bring a suitcase full of apples.  Especially since there are 8 women!  

My Little Piggy

This little piggy went to the market.
This little piggy stayed home.
This little piggy ate roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
And this little piggy went "wee, wee, wee" all the way home....
BUT.....
My little piggy had fun days
And ate Serendipity Sundaes.
My little piggy saw a Statue with a crown
And ate a big hot dog downtown!
The Empire State Building sure was tall.
Glad my little piggy did not fall!
My little piggy went to Tiffany's
Whew, that store costs pretty pennies!
My little piggy went to Broadway.
Then to Maw-maw sang "Happy Birthday"
While your little piggies cried, "Oh, what a pity."
My little piggy went to New York City!


-KK