Star Spangled Spectular

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the writing of Star Spangled Banner, which occurred here in Baltimore's Fort McHenry.  Baltimore put on a 6-day party to commemorate this important day.

I am not a huge fan of large crowds, especially at the Inner Harbor where there are no railings saving my children from falling into the toxic waters of the bay.  We are also in the season of two toddlers, so we kept our Star Spangled Spectacular events to a minimum.  I wish we could have done more, like the fireworks on Saturday night.  I heard they were spectacular.  (ha)

Two years ago, we went to the the air show for the Sailabration party in Baltimore.  The Blue Angels amazed us; you practically tear up because they are just that cool.  Therefore, I was determined to get to the air show this weekend even if it was during our kids' naps.  The Wik's were in town for a visit, so what better way to spend our Saturday afternoon than seeing the Blue Angels!

Saturday was a rainy, cloudy, cool day.  We kept checking social media to see if the Blue Angels canceled the show; it was still a "go" at 1:30 when we woke four napping children to head to the parking lot of Walmart, just south of the Inner Harbor.

It was raining when we arrived and we found out the show was pushed back to 3:00 (from 2:00).  We brought plenty of snacks and chairs, but we were unprepared when it came to rain gear.  I guess we were just in denial it was going to rain!  We also brought nothing to entertain the kids (ie balls) in the parking lot.  Oops.  Kristen and I decided to make a quick bathroom break in Wal-mart and let the dads figure out how to entertain the kids ;)

The snacks worked for a while.  The kids were very patient
waiting 1.5 hours for the main event

The Blue Angels made a grant appearance around 3:30.  The kids immediately wanted to be held.  Even though they were frightened by the loud engines, they loved it.

Oh, to add to being unprepared.... We brought our expensive camera, but left it in the car and were too lazy to go back to get it.  Therefore I had to track down some photos from Kristen's Facebook page that she took on her phone, in case you wonder why all of these are of Jerry.

Jets!

We covered the kids' ears when the jets flew over us.
We also ran into my buddy Alison and her crew :)

Our expressions say it all.

Evie and Braylen talked about the "blue planes" for days.  After the air show, Evie insisted I cover her ears when we saw planes flying overhead since we live near BWI airport.  Later Sunday evening after the 2nd air show, we first heard, then saw various jets flying over our house.  Pretty neat stuff!

That was Spectacular event #1.  

Spectacular event #2 was seeing the tall ships docked at the Inner Harbor.  My brave, up for anything buddy, Liz, and I took the four kids into the city on Monday morning.  Yeah, as always, it would have been easier with dads, but it's always memorable taking 4 kids, three years old and under, on a ship with steep, narrow stairs and open rails.  We were thankful for some mighty nice sailors to help us out ;)  In all seriousness, the crews on the ships were so friendly and helpful.  I am appreciative of kid-friendly places.

We might need a beer and nap after our adventures together,
but I cherish these times with our little ones. 

All decked out (haha) in our Eagles gear to support our team
playing tonight on MNF!  We were quite popular with the
Philadelphia based crew on one of the ships :)

An excursion with Liz is never complete without a snack feast.  We go to all these neat places and all we ever do is SNACK!

Snack break #1:
Whatever came out of Liz's "Mary Poppin's"-like
cooler bag. 

Snack break #2:
Overpriced Rita's custard used as a bribe to get kids to not jump
off the ships.   I am only half kidding.. I can't remember
why we bribed.

In between snack breaks, we did board two of the ships and walk around.  The captain wheels (I am making that up... keep reading to know why I don't know the proper name) were the highlight for them.

Ship #1
Something from Philadelphia

Ship #2
Coast Guard Ship called the "Eagle"

This Coast Guard Ship (Ship?  Boat?  I don't know the right term to use there...)

Liz is a super mom.  Leaving the ship, she had Bray on her back,
carrying Fiona, and holding Jack's hand.  She managed all of them
down a steep flight of stairs then down the ramp off the boat.
Evie wanted to walk down herself, so I was walking alone.

Most excursions are a blur to me.  I don't read anything; I don't listen to the knowledgable guides; I don't stop to take in the sights; I am just trying to keep my kids within arm's reach.  Luckily the American flags were enormous on the ships to capture my attention back to why we were able to "enjoy" these Spectular events. 

Thank you Francis Scott Key for giving us a reason to celebrate here in Baltimore.