Museums Part 1

27 June
Sorry abut the delay on the posting. Last night was rough, jet lag and five year olds don't mix. But I am pleased to say we had great fun yesterday. Lindsay and Nick's place is in a cool neighborhood. I know it's cool because it's urban, and we are surrounded by hipsters, half of them with small kids. It's just like being at home.



Wednesday we spent trolling two museums, the Pergamonmuseum, and the Neues Museum. The Pergamonmuseum has reconstructed the Market Gates of Miletus, the Ishtar Gates, and has many more artifacts from ancient civilizations. What impressed all of us most was how they had the gates reconstructed inside the museum building has the gates would have been where they stood.



The main attraction at the Neues was a 3000 year old bust of Nefertiti. Sorry no pictures allowed. It suffices to say, the bust of Nefertiti you can picture in your head right now, this is it. But we do have some pictures of other Egyptian stuff.



Both museums are on Museumsinsel (Museum Island) were they have five or so museums in one place, nerd heaven, we loved it. Credit were credit is due Janelle is great at being mom/tour guide.



-Issac

Location:Berlin, Germany

European Expedition Day 1

After many hours of airplane travel, we touched down in the small, calm airport of Berlin. The kids traveled really well for being on polite behavior for a total of 18 hours (including layovers and waiting in lines and on busses).


The taxi ride to the apartment was enough of a thrill ride to cross a few other extreme experiences off my list. Let's just say that distance between cars is really measured in millimeters and signaling is optional as well as traveling at a constant speed. There was a lot of gunning the engine and slamming on the breaks; and even the 3-year-old was clutching the edge of her carseat.
We spent the day stretching our legs and visiting a grocery store. We are extremely lucky to have a great place to stay courtesy of Issac's cousin Lindsey.


- Janelle NG

Location:Berlin, Germany

Testing out video

-Issac

Fun at "the Other" park

We got an invite from our volleyball playing friends to join them at Wash Park for some fun on a Sunday.


Beck is not quite tall enough to play volleyball, not that his Dad is, so he and his Mom played the beautiful game.



The park was an ant hill as usual but we all had a great time. When Issac was out the game got intense. Below is Charlie out jumping Jon, and Jon out smarting Charlie.



Nina and Lydia are getting along swimmingly, but then who doesn't love these two.



Hope you enjoy the pictures and take care until next time.



-Issac

Location:Washington Park

Mother's Day (not the Norman Rockwell version )

Very proud of her sculpture. This was one moment we weren't crying or whining.
-Janelle NG

Sing a Song

Beck singing one of his favorite songs.

NG Reunion Tour

I need this sign for my class room.


The team got back together, if only for one day. To go on a field trip to the USGS rock core lab. As you can see I was paying close attention but everyone had fun. Thanks to Kristie for inviting me, and three of my students, to tag along with the little seventh graders.
The three freshmen I brought had a great time not being the smallest ones around for a change. I miss field tips, that's going to be my goal next year, to set up field trips for all the freshmen to go on. The core lab was fun and the USGS people were great. But I do have to say I was a bit disappointed we did not get to go into the Ice Core Lab. Oh well, there's always next year.