16 Places Every Kid Should See

1.Ellis Island Museum, New York City: About 40 percent of Americans are descended from someone who immigrated through this station. Visiting is a powerful experience, thanks to the smartly curated exhibits—and you get a terrific view of the Statue of Liberty on the same ferry ride (ellisisland.org, free guided tours, audio tours $8).
2.Ground Zero, New York City: The hole in lower Manhattan is sacred ground. The nearby Tribute-WTC Center exhibits crushed firefighter helmets and other recovered items (tributewtc.org, $10, students $5, kids under 12 free).

3.Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.: This is a city of inspiring sights: the Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Jefferson and Vietnam Veterans memorials. Still, the 19-foot marble statue of our 16th president is a can't-miss (nps.gov/linc, free).

4.Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.: Kids growing up with e-mail and iPods might not believe it, but there was life before electricity, and even before a United States. The 301-acre open-air museum features hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings, and costumed guides tell the stories of the men and women of the 18th-century city (history.org, $35, kids 6-17 $18).

5.USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: Sunk by a surprise attack on December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona remains six feet below the water as a lasting monument to World War II veterans. A memorial that spans the sunken battleship was dedicated in 1962 (nps.gov/usar, free).

6.Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz.: Look at what wind, water, and erosion can do: At 5,000 feet deep and an average of 10 miles across, it's the most magnificent natural wonder in the country, and perhaps the world (nps.gov/grca, $12, vehicles $25, kids 15 and younger free).

7.National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis: The motel where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed is a museum chronicling the African-American struggle from slavery to Rosa Parks and beyond (civilrightsmuseum.org, $12, $8.50 kids). Also highly worthwhile: Alabama's Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (bcri.org, $11, kids $3) and Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (freedomcenter.org, $9, kids $6, free for kids 6 and under).

8.Redwood National Park, Calif.: Everyone feels humbled, in a good way, when exploring in the shadows of 300-foot-tall trees—many of which are more than 1,000 years old (nps.gov/redw, free).

9.Monticello, Va.: Besides the Declaration of Independence, one of Thomas Jefferson's other masterpieces is the estate he designed and tinkered with over the course of five decades, located seven miles from the University of Virginia—which Jefferson also founded (monticello.org, tours from $15, kids 6–11 $8, free for children 5 and under).

10.Gettysburg, Pa.: It's never too early to learn about the sacrifices of those who came before: In the bloodiest war in our nation's history, this Civil War battlefield was the bloodiest of all. Visitors can also see the spot where President Lincoln delivered his famed Civil War speech in 1863 (nps.gov/gett, free).

11.The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas: The stories of courage in the face of overwhelming forces will be remembered (thealamo.org, free).

12.Niagara Falls, N.Y.: The most powerful falls in North America, with as much as six million cubic feet of water plummeting over the gorge every minute, were awesome when your grandparents honeymooned there and remain awesome today. It's worth crossing into Canada to see them from the other side (niagarafallsstatepark.com, free).

13.Freedom Trail, Boston: Visit Bunker Hill, Paul Revere's house, and other spots pivotal to the American Revolution. Walk the trail on your own for free or book a tour with a guide in 18th-century garb (thefreedomtrail.org, $12, kids $6).

14.Independence Hall, Philadelphia: It's where George Washington was appointed commander of the Continental Army, the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the founding fathers truly laid the nation's foundation, in the form of the U.S. Constitution (nps.gov/inde, free but tickets for timed tours are required from March 1 to Dec. 31).

15.Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Fla.: For more than 35 years, this resort destination—it's more than just a theme park—has been bringing the magic to kids and their grown-ups. For tips on navigating its 47 square miles, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World With Kids (see our review) is a great place to start (disneyworld.com, $63 for kids 3-9, $75 for 10 and older).


16. Yellowstone National Park to the list.

Justin has been asking us when will be the next big trip we take as a family. Since we told him no on Spain for Christmas until his brother is just a little older. He asked for a TV in his room. I think we can do that for him. Justin can cross out the first two on the list we did that this past July. Texas is next with Disney.
This a good list of places to travel with kids. I think Justin birthday falls on a great time to travel. I think the Statue of Liberty should be added to this list also. Justin loves history I know he will get a kick out of going to these places. The comments on the link about number one would be surprise how many kids where at Ellis Island however book online for the ferry it was cheaper $28 a ticket. The same goes for Statue of Liberty. It was a great trip I can't wait to go back.
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/09/our-trip-to-new-york-and-new-jersey.html

http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/07/tigers-game-and-new-york.html

Blog Post

1.Blast from the past http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/08/blast-from-past.html
3 Aug 2011, 1 comment 118 Page views ( This one seems to be a huge hit I wonder why?)

2.Look at me (I'm working on a page of this one check back in January)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/08/look-at-me.html
29 Aug 2011, 4 comments 75 Page views

3.A Father and His boys (I love my Hubby)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/02/father-and-his-boys.html
21 Feb 2011, 2 comments 31 Page views

4.If you think the court system is out of control, b...
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/02/if-you-think-court-system-is-out-of.html
16 Feb 2011 28 Page views

5.A child ( I love this one to a close second)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/07/child.html
20 Jul 2011 26 Page views

6.Due Date (My Baby boy is due)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2010/09/due-date.html
29 Sep 2010, 1 comment 25 Page views

7.This is for my Brother and His Fiance ( My heart goes out to them)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-is-for-my-brother-and-his-fiance.html
15 May 2011, 3 comments 22 Page views

8.Changing our Last Name (Another great one but what is really in a name?)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/08/changing-our-last-name.html
24 Aug 2011 20 Page views

9.I’m excited (My Popsicle is growing up)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/10/im-excited.html
13 Oct 2011 18 Page views

Wow, look at these posts numbers Thank you to all my readers. I love that you take the time out of your busy day to look at my blog. God Bless you. I would love to hear why you all like these ones. The Blast from the Past is a huge hit. Among the other's but that one is my favorite one of all.

VazquezSounds Adele- Rolling In The Deep (Cover)

Angie 10, vocals
Gustavo 13, drums
Abelardo 15, piano, guitar and bass

Kids,Potty Training and The Tree

Christopher & Potty Training are like oil and water they just don't mix. I have been potty training Christopher now for two weeks. I have been peed on unclogged his foot from the toilet many times now and chased him around the house naked as he pees all over the place. I do not recall it being this hard trying to potty train Justin.I was also 19 now I'm old. I had him sink the Cheerios and that was that. Justin walked at seven months so with Christopher walking at nine I thought no problem right. Nope now we have gotten into the biting part. Christopher likes to take off all the Christmas ornaments. I took one from him this morning gave it to Jay to put back on the tree. I hear Justin say "That hurts stop!" Christopher bit him on the hand and almost drew blood. I was in a state of shock trying to tell him we don't bit people when he Jay starts laughing telling him he is evil. I couldn't finish the punishment when Mommy is laughing. I came home from dropping Jay off at school when I had to go though "Don't touch the tree!" again as I'm putting the ornament back on the tree. Christopher grabs my leg and shakes it to bite me. I don't think so I put him in his playpen. I have a time out chair I hope it works for my Popsicle. It must be his daddy who was a little off his rocker when he was younger that is where Christopher gets this from. Christopher yells for Daddy when I'm telling him to stop whatever he is not suppose to do. He yells for Jay when we are telling him to do something else.When he cries he calls for me. The sippy cup and not the bottle who in the world thought that would be a piece of cake? Even at the end of the day cleaning up what he doesn't want for lunch that is now half way down the steps,on the wall and in my coat pocket seems to be the highlight of my day. I love to find cars in the washer. I love finding new things in Justin pockets when I wash his pants he seem to take on daddy's trait of not cleaning out your pants pockets. I had a gay hair dresser tell me "Honey you need some color!" Christopher you are too funny when you throw yourself down on the ground and push yourself backwards when you are mad. Steve I love the way you make us laugh. Justin please don't get out of the truck butt first and fall. My house always has toys on the floor. Sometimes there is an object flying past my head at any moment. It is a toy,clothes or a juice box I still step back to smile. To top it off I went to the doctor's to find out if another Needham is to appear in nine months. I love my family. I love my life.

Movies

Movie Trailers - Movies BlogI loved her in this movie and Dear John broke my heart but The Dilemma was awesome. The street fight was hilarious. Steve and I had a date night and watched it. It's a must to watch The vow when it comes out in February.
To get back to movies I seen The Black Swan It made me look at being crazy in a whole new light. I'm not crazy no matter what people say. (Laughing) However Natalie takes on this role very well. Steve and I are about to watch 127 hours with Franco. I'm not sure about this movie. I can't seem to stomach anything gross since I had Christopher. Franco is on my all time favorite soap general hospital where he plays a bizarre bad guy.
So we will see what happens if we watch it.

Love and Other Drugs is another movie my hubby and I made a date night on. I love the part where she beats the hell out of him in the parking lot then takes his picture. Steve thinks that is so me. I don't know on that maybe when I was a teen yes. Now I'm a sweet lady.

Busy Busy

 Last week was entertaining with Boy Scouts going to visit the Border Patrol. It was neat to hear what they have to do. Justin was able to hold a gun.That made his day. I started to potty train my Popsicle. I have been peed on a dozen times. I love how I go to set him on the toilet and he begins to pee. Trying to turn him around as he pees to point him in the direction of the toilet pee goes all over the bathroom. I enjoy the part where I have to clean it up. He is catching on better then what I thought. He gets up in the morning and goes to the bathroom all by himself. It is really cute to see him walk in the bathroom. My boys had a doctor visit where they had to get shots. It broke my heart when Christopher started to cry. Jay freaked out but was better when he sat on my lap. He of course asked for his daddy. I hate going for shots myself which I had to get my flu shot. I have had the worst headache since then. Parent teacher conference went great. Jay is doing better then expected. He likes to talk with all his friends he makes. He is quite the social bug. That tends to get him into trouble sometimes. I love talking to his teachers about how great he is doing in school. It warms my heart to hear her tell me Justin is a pleasure to have in the classroom.

I took the boys to the parade this weekend. Where we froze our butts off.

Our tree went up last week. Christopher seems to think that it is a toy. He has broken all the bottom ornaments. This week I have to go buy some more before Turkey day. Hobby Lobby here I come. Hockey is going great. Saturday Jay kept taking out kids. It was like a domino effect. He is doing really good. Here is a short video of him skating with Steve in the background yelling. I can't wait for his first game in December. I'm going to be a nervous wreck as Steve will be also. He already told me he is waiting by the door just in case he has to run on the ice to get his boy.

We also had a blast at our friends baby girl first birthday party. Popsicle and Trinity are a month apart. I can't believe they are both one it just like we just found out we both were expecting. It's crazy how much time goes by. Love you Trinity.

We salute those who fight day after day for our freedom. Thank you

Big Thanks to my cousin Shawn, My Uncle Don,Grandpa(Papa),My Wonderful Husband Steve and Step-Father Tony, Rolando,Step-Brother Tony and everyone who has served. Love ya all

Things from my childhood

I was looking at these dolls I collected from 9 to 16. I believe that was when I received the last doll. Porcelain dolls were something I collected from being a little girl. I think I have a total of 14 or 15.Thinking about all the hopes and dreams I had when I was younger brings a smile to my face. It may not have gone in order of how I imagine my life being. I had a list of things I wanted to do and how. Every little girl's fantasy is a big house with a white picnic fence lot's of kid's and a prince charming. Sometimes I can't believe this is my life I found all these things I wanted when I was little. I was going to keep them maybe I could pass them down if we had a little girl in the near future. Thinking about it I don't think I would want to however there is one doll I think I might keep just because.

Smile again

I love how the father is trying really hard not to mess up.

Something to Smile about today

I'm the second Nikki Minaj as Miss Sophia says. Too cute I love it.




I cried my eyes out when they kept showing her dad who was crying too.

Halloween I’m glad it’s over

This year has been the busiest Halloween ever for our family. Friday we went treat or treating at downtown Wyandotte with my momma, sister and niece Eva who is a doll. Justin had a blast with Christopher they only got a hand full of candy which was okay. Justin met up with some friends he seen. Christopher was being silly roaring like a Dino. It was too cute hearing him whisper.

Saturday Justin had hockey practice early that morning. Once the men came home they left to fish one last time before we winterize the boat. They caught two fish which was cute but they sunk when they came home.

Sunday morning we bake Halloween cookies, homemade pumpkin pie which is my hubby’s favorite. I had to kick him out of the kitchen sure enough he was right there when the pies came out of the oven.

Steve and I had a blast craving pumpkins with our boys. Christopher tried to eat it by the look on his face it wasn’t that appetizing. Steve and Justin went over board and craved five pumpkins. They are crazy pieces of the pumpkin where everywhere.                               

We decide to take our boys to Erie apple orchard. It has been awhile since we where last there. This was our first time as a whole family with Christopher. He tried to climb in with the goat which was something else. Pony rides for all that lead to my men asking me if it was okay if we buy a pony in the spring along with our chickens and goats. I know I said I wanted them but a pony really? I don’t know about that we have more than enough room for one. I will have to think about that. Christopher was done at this point.

Sunday we took our boys to Halloween at Greenfield Village. It was pretty neat seeing it all decorated. It was a family friendly place. A scarecrow got Jay. We walked up to the carousel that turned out to be just a little freaky. It made me jump. They lined the pathway with lite pumpkins to follow. That poor girl above was turning purple when he got to her. The park gave out apples and some candy not bad for 12 bucks a person. We however turned down the candy for Christopher. We are not going to eat it. I was able to get a picture of my men going though Sleepy Hollow. Jay was scared but of course he wanted to hold his daddy's hand.

Monday was Halloween finally. I had to go pick up my little man for lunch to go eat and change into his costume which he didn’t know what he wanted to be.  I then rush him back to school in 25 minutes what a mess. I was able to make it back home to pee. Once again back off to his school for his parade and party.

I was glad to see the rain held off for later that night. Christopher was more interested in the dogs then going house to house. Justin got a kick out of asking for candy for his little brother.  This street was all done up as you can see. It was great even better in the dark.

We all had a great time I hope you enjoyed the post. I'm sure glad it is all over. The decorations came down today. I think I might wait to put up Christmas ones as long as they are up with my tree before Thanksgiving. I'm still in all that today is the first of November.  Time travels by so fast when you are having fun. I loved every minute of it.