Taking a 6-year-old on vacation can be difficult. Will they like where you're going? Will they ask, "Are we there yet?" 17 million times? What about safety? You get the point. Well, we ventured off for about 2 weeks to DC and then on to OBX with both kids in tow.

The vacation began with two cars in the shop the day before we left and a decision to rent a car. That was revoked after discovering that they charge you an arm and a leg. So, we set off in Ben's truck which would have been fine except that about 2 hours into the trip, the air conditioning went. Now, hindsight is 20-20 and in that perspective, we would have parked the car and rented one--I can get used to using only one arm right? But, instead we decided to drive without. Then it rained which meant we had to roll the windows up. Oh, and did I mention it was 90 degrees? Great fun! But, Ethan and Rachel both did great. In fact, Ethan only once asked if we were there yet and that was on the way home after 6 straight hours of driving.

So, kids will be kids. Our first stop was DC where thanks to Sears Reward Points, we stayed for three nights for free at an incredible hotel. Though we saw the sights, ate where the tourists ate, etc. I think Ethan's favorite parts of the trip were riding the carousel, riding the Metro and feeding the pigeons. Though he did give our Capitol tour guide quite a run for her money. She told us she was impressed by how attentive he was and what good questions he asked. Ethan told us that the Capitol was his favorite part of the trip. He was very interested in the whispering room, the crypt and all the statues. He also liked the Air and Space Museum and the National Zoo. We were all disappointed that the Museum of American History was closed but there was much to do. The only sight we didn't have a chance to see was the White House. Though we decided that next time we'll call our Congressman a few months in advance and get tickets for a tour anyway.

Then, it was off to OBX, NC, and the ocean. Ethan was very apprehensive of going in the ocean for fear of sharks. And, once he saw how big the waves were, the fear increased. However, his parents are mean :) so we made him go in. By the end of the vacation, he was body surfing and using his boogie board to ride the waves in to shore. He also played all of us in foose ball matches, learned to play Dominoes (along with the rest of us who are now addicted, thanks Aunt Nina!), played putt-putt where he scored a hole-in-one (see below), rode on a ferry to Ocrocoke, and even ate frog legs and crayfish. What an adventure! As you can see by the one golf picture, Ethan was just about the center of everyone's attention. However, my brother's girlfriend became the center of his attention (sorry, Emily!)

All-in-all, Ethan and the rest of us had fun. In fact, on the way home he commented that he was ready for school to start because he had a great summer vacation.

We've done good :)