Touring the museums in Washington with the ABC boys

Touring the museums in Washington with the ABC boys

One of the best things about Washington, DC is that so many museums are free. We aim to hit as many as we can.This time, instead of trying to see all that the Holocaust Museum or the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History has to offer, I tried to pinpoint certain exhibits I thought would most interest the boys from the Westport ABC House

So much to see and do on moms’ getaway to Scottsdale

So much to see and do on moms’ getaway to Scottsdale

No guilt allowed! We keep telling ourselves that all weekend. I’m in Scottsdale, AZ for a moms’ getaway weekend with an old friend I don’t see nearly enough. She lives on the West Coast; I live across the country.

Three days in Washington DC with the high school boys

Three days in Washington DC with the high school boys

I was chaperoning six city high school boys who attend our suburban school under the auspices of A Better Chance, a national organization that identifies kids with academic potential in middle school and sends them to communities like ours (Westport, CT) to live and attend high school. Several of the boys had visited Washington, DC on middle school trip

Colorado’s Keystone Resort ups the game for kid-friendly

Colorado’s Keystone Resort ups the game for kid-friendly

Every snow-loving parent knows that trips to the slopes not only are expensive but a lot of work for moms and dads. All the schlepping of gear! That’s why I applaud any effort that makes snow sports more affordable and more fun for families.

To the Atacama Desert Region of Chile

To the Atacama Desert Region of Chile

We are in northern Chile in the famous Atacama desert region in the Valle de la Luna—Moon Valley—famous for its resemblance to the moon surface and salt and rock formations that look like dinosaur heads, angels and more.

To the Atacama Desert Region of Chile

We are in northern Chile in the famous Atacama desert region in the Valle de la Luna—Moon Valley—famous for its resemblance to the moon surface and salt and rock formations that look like dinosaur heads, angels and more.

Go Undersea in San Francisco! 3 of the Best Oceanariums

Go Undersea in San Francisco! 3 of the Best Oceanariums

The ocean is a fascinating place for children who love the colorful and interactive displays, live shows featuring dolphins and multimedia presentations. Visiting oceanariums can also be an opportunity for them to touch living animals in a safe environment, while learning about them, too.

Time-traveling back in history at Conner Prairie IN

Time-traveling back in history at Conner Prairie IN

Here at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, the terrific living history museum outside Indianapolis, a Smithsonian affiliate that focuses on 19th-century Indiana, the journey takes us 90 minutes, starting with our escape from an owner who plans to sell us “back South.”

Riding a bike in the Sonoran Desert — at night!

Riding a bike in the Sonoran Desert — at night!

Our Guide Kerry Echer is leading us on one of several unique adventures offered by the Golden Door Spa here. Earlier in the day, we’d noticed Echer teaching rock climbing on the giant boulders; there are also guided hikes and mountain biking.

In Phoenix, an amazing museum of musical instruments

In Phoenix, an amazing museum of musical instruments

There are other museums of musical instruments, but none with such an expansive collection from around the world—harps, zithers flutes and trumpets from the Middle East, African drums, a 17th century spinet and 20th century electric guitars…an Appalachian dulcimer, a ukulele, bagpipes and cymbals.