Cabin Fever Cures // The National Aquarium

A week in and we were getting bored. Sick of the four walls. It has been cold and gray, and I haven't had much enthusiasm for bundling up and heading outside.  But when I woke up yesterday morning, I knew we had to go. The where part was uncertain and almost irrelevant. But it had to happen.

My vote was an art museum. I've been craving visual stimulation and inspiration. I was in the mood for wacky and whimsical, but I knew that despite the polite response from Gus, it wouldn't be hitting any home runs.

When I called to invite my mom, she completely poo-pood the idea, but wasn't able to produce any viable alternatives. So I suggested that if she would foot the bill, I would be willing to take the kids to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The truth is, I don't actually like aquariums that much. In fact, I'm not terribly interested in anything "sciencey" except when it involves nature in a natural setting. Then I can get on board. Gus, however, loves aquariums. When I told him about the change in plans, he very literally jumped for joy.

In the hour between telling the kids we were going and actually leaving, I started to have all sorts of second doubts. Actually, it was just one doubt: is visiting an aquarium ethical? I warned my children that when we got home I was going to do the research so this could very well be their last visit. My "ethics" are a pretty insufferable thing to bear. I have concerns about so many things but then don't take very strong stands, which makes me a kill-joy who is still participating in the questionable activity.

I haven't gone on to figure out if all aquariums, and probably zoos for that matter too, should be avoided. After watching the joy and curiosity that overcame my children, I'm not sure if I want to. I'm desperately hoping that when done right, both institutions provide valuable research and support conservation measures in such a way to justify their existence.

Arlo had to be pulled from each and every exhibit. He spent five minutes with his eyes locked with a puffin, his new best friend named Stinky. Later he cried when we left his even newer best friend, Sharky. Gus bounced from one exhibit to the next, identifying fish I have never heard of.  Alamae stared wide-eyed and amazed in the dramatic light, entranced by the recorded whale songs.

I'm so grateful that my mom vetoed the art museum (though I'm forcing them to go visit one with me sooner rather than later) and that she treated us to the day on the Inner Harbor. Aquariums and lunches at Shack Shack are far from free.  So thanks, mom.

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This Weekend We / 24 Hours in Baltimore

Quite frankly, my decision to spend the Christmas money my granddad gave me on an extended  double date in Baltimore two weeks before the baby's due date was genius.  The weeks leading up to a baby's undisclosed arrival are long, very long. I start imagining that every cramp is "the beginning." I desperately try to will myself into labor, to will a baby into my arms.

However, because I was so excited about this past weekend's plans, I have mostly avoided this trap. I wanted last night to happen more than I wanted an early labor and delivery.  Now that last night is in the past, nothing will stop me from trying to wish myself unpregnant.

Joanna and Geoffery took the bus from Brooklyn to Baltimore to spend 24 hours with us, a last hurrah of sorts. After baby number four comes, there will be a whole lot less expendable income for fancy dinners and not so fancy hotels.

We stayed at the Biltmore Suites, which are run down, kind of dirty, but a little bit wonderful. Patterns on patterns, nothing really as clean as it should be, most things in need of repair. The three flights of stairs (no elevator) to the room slant enough to make you feel like you drank too much. Some people claim the place is haunted. We've stayed there before, and I would stay there again. It's got personality in spades, and it's super cheap. When traveling, I have a hard time spending money on hotels and flights (I once booked Tom and my tickets from DC to New Orleans that had two layovers just to save 40 bucks). I would much rather have the extra money to spend on extravagant meals and junk store shopping. We spent nearly four times more on dinner at Woodberry Kitchen than we did on the room, and I think we did the right thing on both accounts. After thirteen years of traveling together, Joanna and I have developed pretty similar ideas on how it's done, a fact that I think we both take almost completely for granted.

We drank beers at Brewer's Art, brunched at Paper Moon, and shopped the Avenue in Hampden. Despite the terrible, terrible cold, every single bit was great. Four grown adults crowded into one room, whispering like kids as one by one people nodded off.

And now I'm back at home with three rowdy kids and snow storm finally on the horizon. We'll pop some popcorn, watch The Book of Life, and I'll go back to imagining that every ache, every pang of pressure is a sure sign that she's on her way. In reality, she will most likely go 13 days past her due date, just like her big brothers, only finally coming to the world when she senses that an epidural will be forced on us if she doesn't finally make her move. If only Joanna was coming back next weekend, the wait would maybe be bearable.

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This Weekend We / Lantern Parade

On Saturday night we drove to Baltimore for another edition of our friends' gonna be an annual Lantern Party Parade. This is the second year (last year), so that makes it a tradition, right?

The costumes were a little tricky this year. We knew Arlo wasn't going to wear the shark costume that my mom bought him because he finds it absolutely terrifying. I thought that I might be able to finagle a clothing based costume. Working with clothing we already had and ideas that didn't require make-up since we were coming straight from a wedding, we decided on lumberjacks. Gus was especially excited because it meant he got to carry around an axle. Arlo, however, proved to be difficult again; a lumberjack who refuses to wear his hat and suspenders is really just a boy in a flannel. Since the rest of the family was in a theme, Sena decided to re-envision her colonial costume and brand herself as a lumberjack's daughter.

Regardless, the parade was pretty great, even if I spent most of the time on the fringes playing spot the dogs with Arlo. He finds little furry creatures far more exciting than drum lines and stilters. Baltimore isn't my city, and is never having been, but I definitely have a soft spot for it. It's fun to parade with friends who do claim the city as their own, with their Natty Bo, John Waters, and blue crab lanterns.

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