Supreme Court in Washington D.C.

Our next day in D.C. was still alot of walking but a lot less than the day before since I found the subway station near our hotel.  That morning we started out by getting on the subway and getting off at the subway stop behind Congress so we could walk over to the Supreme Court.  This first picture is us headed to the court, but stopping in front of the library for a quick picture.  I heard after we had already left that the National Library is very impressive and something worth seeing.  I didn't know so we just walked by.




The Supreme Court









Inside they have two stair cases like this.  We walked around looking and ate breakfast in the cafeteria there.  (I don't recommend) 


I had hoped to get on one of the tours that they do in the court room, but we missed it by a few minutes and the kids weren't terribly interested in staying longer just to go in the court room.  I went in on the tour about 7 years ago and it was very interesting.  It's by far the best part of going there.

10 free books for military

Each active duty military member is authorized 10 free Paperback Books and/or Playaways (audio books) a year through MilitaryOne Source.

HOW TO GET THEM:
Sign up for Military OneSource.  Once you login, click on the "Tools" tab near the top right of the page. Scroll down to the "Family & Recreation" banner, and under the "Libraries"
heading, click on "Online Library Resources" this brings up a page with many options instead of picking any of those look above them where it shows the list of things you have clicked on choose "Library Resources".   This will bring up a different page Click on "Playaway and Paperback books". You can pick what you want from the non fiction and fiction lists and add it to your cart. You do not have to get ten at once. You have a year from your first book all 10.  (don't forget that next to each selection it will say whether or not it is paper back or a playaway)

Playaways are pre-loaded on MP3 players with a start, stop and pause functions. When you pause it, it remembers where you left off--if you forget to pause, it will at least remember the last chapter playing.
They are also available for checkout at your base library. They provide incentive to exercise and/or are great for travel. Exercise incentive
because you will want to keep listening to the story (being read by someone else) and will hopefully look forward to the next workout to follow the story through until the end.

Additionally, the "Library" tab provides a lot of other free services for active duty families.
One awesome resource is the Peterson's Online Academic Skills Course that helps our Airmen, their spouses and kids advance their math and verbal skills. Individuals start by taking pre-tests which measure current skill level. Then the course builds an individualized learning
just for the person - meaning you get just the lessons you need to improve your skills... in the comfort and privacy of their home and ... its free!!

Parenting tip - the 1 minute drill

The one minute drill has become a staple at our house. It works everytime. We announce to the kids that they have 1 minute to clean up a certain room or they don't getting have or do something.
Use something they want as leverage. For example we rented a movie but the couldn't watch it until our youngest sons room was clean. So we announce that they have 1 minute to clean up his room or they can't watch the movie.
Before they start complaining the count down begins. We loudly count down 60, 59, 58, 57.....until we get to 0. You will be delighted to see how fast your kids can move! Turns out a minute is plenty of time to clean one room.

Military - Free travel pillow from Sleep Number

Through November 14th, all active and retired military personnel, with appropriate military ID, will receive a FREE travel pillow for visiting a Sleep Number store and finding their Sleep Number setting. In addition, you’ll receive exclusive bed ($750 off) and bedding discounts (30% off).

Also, November 5th-7th, Sleep Number stores will be hosting a Military Appreciation Event with refreshments and giveaways.


Thanks to ChicNSavvy for finding the great deal.

14 Free Things to do in Las Vegas

There are many free things to do in Las Vegas and most of them are family friendly.   All of the free activities I am listing are fun for a Las Vegas Vacation family trip and absolutely free!  How's that for a inexpensive family vacation!

Mirage Aquarium - Located behind the front desk.  This 53 foot, 20,000 gallon, salt water tank features more than 1,000 animals representing 60 species from all over the world.

Tropical Rainforest - Located in the  Mirage in the front entrance.  A 100 foot dome with lagoons, plant life and a waterfall.

Mirage Volcano - Off on all every night between 7 PM and midnight flames and smoke shoot from the top of the 54 foot volcano.  There are burst of flames all over the lake there and some exotic music. 

White Tiger Habitat - Siegfried and Roy's rare white tigers located in the Mirage.

Wild Life Habitat - Located at the Flamingo.  Full of lush foliage, flamingos, penguins, cranes, turtles, fish and lots of other birds.  The penguins are bed daily at 8:25 AM and 2:55 PM. 

Lion Habitat - located at the MGM Grand.  (every time we have gone we have seen the lions, but we've never been lucky enough to catching a feeding time or trainer time)

Atlantis Aqurium - located at Caesars in the Forum Shops near the Cheesecake Factory.  This aquarium is full of colorful fish, sharks, and sting rays.  They are feed at 3:15 PM and 7:15 everyday.  In addition every hour the statues on top of the aquarium come to life.  This show has lights, fire and smoke.

World's Greatest Circus Acts - located at Circus Circus in the arcade.  From 11 AM until midnight every half hour is a circus performance.  You might see a trapeze artist, tight rope walker, jugglers, or clowns.  (These are always crowded)

Bellagio Fountains - Located in the lake in front of the Bellagio.  Mon - Fri from 3:00 PM - midnight and Saturday and Sunday from noon - midnight.  This show goes off every 30 minutes until 8 and then goes off every 15 minutes until midnight.  Watch the water dance to music.  You can see several different shows on the same day since they are constantly changing.

Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Located inside the Bellagio near the check in area.  Full of trees, plants, flowers, gazebos, bridges, ponds, and water features.  This area is changed often and is always quite nice.  It is a great place to take some pictures of your kids.

Ethel M Chocolate Factory - Located at 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89014.  You can take a self guided tour and watch the chocolate  from behind large glass windows.  Complete with free samples!(There is a near by is a very impressive cactus garden.)

Fremont Street Experience - Located in downtown.  This has a ceiling outside made of 12.5 millions lights.  On the screen they put videos to music.  (I feel like I can not describe this, but it is awesome)  There are also street performs, Elvis and other celebrity impersonators, spray paint artists and more.  My kids love watching the guy down there spray paint pictures)

M and M's World - Located in front of the MGM Grand near the coke bottle.  You can take your kids to the store or you can walk through their "factory" and watch a short 3D movie.  This is very fun for kids. 

Bird Show - located at the Tropicana in the Tropics Lounge.  The birds perform tricks like singing, dancing, riding bikes, and flying through hoops for twenty minutes.  Open to kids everyday except Thursday.  Shows are at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM,  and 2:30 PM.

• 7 Delicious Family friendly restaurants in Las Vegas

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