March Madness

Apart from skiing, music, spanish, ice skating, seussical, horse riding and school, so far this month we have made two trips to West point. We were honored and delighted to be invited to A's retirment from the US military ceremony.

In the US, retirement (which happens after 20 years like the Australian Army - leaving before would be discharge) is celebrated. Americans truely view service in the military as an honorable thing, strangers when they learn D is in the Military are notcable impressed. They see service as patriotic and comendible and are very proud of their service men and women. So, retirment is marked by a ceremony acknowledging the members accomplishments and years of service. We have been to two such ceremonies now and feel in comparison, the Australian Military don't really do such a great job - the Australian equivalent is: pack up your personal belongings into a box, hand over your ID card which is cut up and then your personal escort from the building. End of service.

D gave A a special Australian gift which every one else is covetting. A week later (with our ski trip inbetween) we went to A's retirment party (no photos here - running out of time) and helped celebrate a little more. D's gift was displayed on the table with the numerous commendations and awards that A had recieved.








Here we are with our wonderful friends after the retirement ceremony.





We spent a day at the New York Hall of Science in Queens. It is much like Questicon in Canberra, infact I now have reciprocal rights and can go to Questacon for free - handy really!!

It was lots of fun and interesting, one great thing is they have a library where members (us) can borrow science kits for a week for $5- material charge. Fabulous, science, like Maths is something I need ideas for, so we intend to borrow some kits over the up coming months.





If you stand in the right position, this mirror can give you two heads and it looks rather funny.







We all had a go at making a very big fan turn around by peddling this bike, M went first and made it look so easy, I had a go, well it was rather difficult to keeo up the required speed for more than a few minutes.







This display had dry ice drop periodically into water, as it melted it shot through the water leaving a 'tail' like a commet, it had the boys engrossed for ages, just as the last of the ice would melt a knew batch would be dropped in, it was fabulous.





There is the coolest bubble activity. The children made huge bubbles, and had success with the bubble screen which was very impressive. By the time we did these activites the Hall was almost empty, all of the school groups had already left and we had the place to ourselves for the last 1 1/2 hours.