A visit to New York City, a family dinosaur, and vying for aunt of the day (7 Quick Takes)
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ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
A visit to New York City, a family
dinosaur, and vying for aunt of the
day (7 Quick Takes)
~1~
My sister Maureen and her four children live
about 40 minutes north of New York City, but
when we visit them, we rarely go into the
city. Last weekend when we drove up to see
them, though, we decided—somewhat
spontaneously—to head into Manhattan to go
to the American Museum of Natural History.
Our sons have seen Night at the Museum, which is set there, so that added to the
fun of the whole experience. My husband was most excited to see a planetarium
show called Dark Universe, and we all loved it.
The whole experience was so educational that my head was swimming just trying to
process it all. And we barely scratched the surface of the museum.
~2~
Updated July 11, 2019 | PRINTED August 3, 2019
ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
After the children were thirsty and tired of
walking, we knew the trip had been a
success. We stopped at a food truck to get
drinks and a giant pretzel and then drove to
the Strand Book Store so the children could
walk more. Maureen and I had both been to
the Strand at different times, but neither of
us had taken our children, and John had
never been there.
The Strand is a bit overwhelming in the best possible way, and I could have spent
hours there if I hadn’t been so busy counting heads and watching children happily
climb ladders to reach books on the higher shelves.
I managed not to buy anything, which was either a great disappointment or a
marvelous victory, depending on your perspective.
We started our visit by driving into the city along the Hudson River and drove home
along the East River. We loved seeing all the industry and activity and busyness of
the city. Driving in New York City is a billion times easier and more pleasant than
driving in Washington, D.C., where I invariably get lost. I even found a parking
space on the street near the Strand. It makes me wonder why we don’t visit
Manhattan more often.
~3~
Updated July 11, 2019 | PRINTED August 3, 2019
ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
A highlight of our trip to the American
Museum of Natural History was seeing the
skeleton of the dinosaur that bears our name,
Buettneria. Buettner is a common enough
name. It’s the German equivalent of Cooper,
and it means barrel maker. So, I have no
reason to believe that the Buettner who
found the bones was related to us.
Still, it’s exciting to see a dinosaur with your name. And I knew the skeleton was
there. I had seen it once before about six years ago, but John wasn’t with the boys
and me on that trip. So, we took a photo of all of us with the dinosaur, and I
announced we were ready to order our Christmas cards.
Nothing like Christmas in July.
~4~
Speaking of which, our older son insisted on bringing his trumpet with him to visit
his cousins, so they could make music together. My 10-year-old nephew had already
received his sheet music for a Christmas performance, so three of the children
played Christmas music in a special performance in my sister’s living room.
I think it’s somewhat telling that, when we were leaving, we left half of our clothes
behind at my sister’s house, but we remembered to bring the trumpet.
~5~
Updated July 11, 2019 | PRINTED August 3, 2019
ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
It really has felt like Christmas in July
because John and I managed to use our
Christmas gift from my parents—a gift
certificate to Petit Louis in Baltimore’s
Roland Park neighborhood.
It’s one of our favorite spots, and we go together very rarely.
We hired a sitter, so we could go for lunch and talk and enjoy our time and some
delicious French food together. I can’t remember the last time we went on a date,
and it was such a treat.
~6~
When I’m the only aunt visiting with my
nieces and nephews, I try to make an
impression. So, I woke up early and cooked
turkey sausages and cinnamon buns for
breakfast and waited for the children to wake
up.
The first children to arrive in the kitchen were mine, and they sprang into action,
enjoying every bite. Luckily, one of the cousins managed to make it in time to have a
taste. But the others—who are older than our two sons—all slept in.
I’ll have to come up with a different plan if I’m vying for Favorite Aunt of the Day.
Updated July 11, 2019 | PRINTED August 3, 2019
ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
~7~
Sometimes I think I’m not doing a great job
with faith education—and we could, of
course, always do more.
Then our younger son takes a post-it and draws a picture of St. Michael defeating
the Devil and sticks it to the wall. He even did a good job sounding out “saint” and
“devil,” neither one of which he’s learned in school.
You never know which stories and what information are staying with your children.
But something must be sinking in somehow.
Read more quick takes at Kelly’s blog, This Ain’t the Lyceum, and have a
wonderful weekend!
Updated July 11, 2019 | PRINTED August 3, 2019You can also read
