Spring Break for Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley arrived home just in time to head off on a Spring Break adventure to Columbus, Ohio. He was a little nervous when he saw the Titanic at the museum. He was relieved when we said it was just a model and that we weren't going on a boat ride. The first stop found us at COSI, one of Columbus's best known museums. This museum is all about hands on Science. Our favorite part was Grossology, and walking through a Black Hole!Flat Stanley thought traveling by train may be safer then going into space!
After our visit to COSI we headed south to Chillicothe. We lived there for 4 years up until the time Zach was born. Flat Stanley enjoyed visiting with the Perry family and stopping by the Indian Burial Mounds.
Our final stop took us to Fort Rapids, Waterpark in Columbus. Flat decided he wasn't in the mood to go swimming so he just hung out in the hotel room. He figured he needed to get some rest before he heads off on another adventure.

Flat Stanley returns to the States

Flat Stanley returned to the States from his trip to England just in time to head out again with Katie's Daddy on a business trip.

This trip took him through Chicago's O'Hare airport and then onto Seattle, Washington.
He enjoyed many of the sites while in Seattle, of course visiting the Microsoft Corporate Headquarters was one of his favorites.
He even had time to come up with the idea for Windows 7 (the commercials are all wrong, it was really Flat's idea!)
Flat Stanley had a wonderful time on the trip, but he was excited to know that when he got home he'd be headed off on Spring Break with Katie and her family.

Crossing the Atlantic

Flat Stanley having visited Washington DC has still been thinking about politics. He loved seeing the museums while in the DC area, so he decided that perhaps he should experience the Nation that many of our original settlers came from. Here is the email we received when he arrived on the other side of the Atlantic.

Dear Katelyn,

Flat Stanley here,

I've made it to England via the Royal Mail! After a brief stop at Buckingham Palace to visit the queen, where I received my new palace guard outfit, I took the Royal Mail Express and I reached my final destination, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Stead. While there, I visited Mow Cop, which is the remains of an old castle that was built in 1754! I've also been to the Tunstall town square, and had the opportunity to taste the local dish, Oatcakes!

Mr. and Mrs. Stead are very active and took me to the gym to work out. Even though I'm flat, it's important to stay healthy and fit.

My visit here is coming to an end soon and I'll be on my way back to see you. Until then, take care!

Love,

Flat Stanley

Aspiring Politician or Tourist?

Flat Stanley dreamed of taking political office while he was visiting Iowa. He thought maybe he could change the world, so he headed to Washington D.C. where he was able to stay with friends Sean and Colette Burgess and their family in Maryland. Sean let him go into DC with him on the Metro. It was fascinating to figure out all the stops on the map and he even found time to read a book while riding into the Nation's Capital.
Once he arrived in D.C. though, he discovered that not only do the politicians gather here, but there are many museums.
In lieu of going into political office he decided to take the opportunity to check out the museums. He visited several in the Smithsonian area. He also got to see the Washington Monument.
Maybe someday he'll consider political office again, but for now he's headed back to the Burgess' home for a home cooked meal. Sean is a wonderful cook, so Flat Stanley is not sure he will ever leave!

Thank you Burgess Family for letting Flat Stanley come to visit! Wonder where he will show up next???

Injured Flat Stanley Considers Public Office

Flat Stanley is off enjoying quite a trip. Unfortunately, his last location started off with quite a bit of commotion. He was happily playing with two of the most amazing 5 year olds in the world in Johnston, Iowa (just outside of Des Moines). They were all laughing and having a good time, when he forgot to use his safety rules and let go of the swing.
He had take a ride in an ambulance and visit the Emergency room. Once he got to the hospital he rode in a wheel chair. Lucky for him the boys father is a Doctor and was able to take care of him. He and one of the nurses checked on Flat, and then had 2 other nurses check out his heart. Once he passed all the examinations he was allowed to return home.
The next day Flat Stanley visited with Keith and Luke's Aunt Susan at the Iowa Capitol. He was lucky enough to sit in the chair in the front of the Senate House and the House of Representatives. He is even considering running for public office someday. (It might be safer then playing on the swings!) He ended his day with a ride on a Green Tractor and lunch at the Machine Shed. No trip to Iowa would be complete with out doing that!Thank you Dr Fisher, Mrs. Fisher and Keith and Luke for letting Flat Stanley visit! He's glad he got experience so many neat things in Iowa!

Flat Stanley Showcases His Musical Talent

When Flat Stanley left for Austin, Texas we had no idea that he had musical ability. While visiting with Amanda he went to NXNW (North by Northwest) and listened to Sound of A.M. Apparently, a visit to Austin isn't complete without live music! While there he was asked to play and sing with the band!
After the gig he was presented with his very own guitar and microphone.
His adventure in Austin has come to an end and he will be returning to Cleveland soon, but since he is FLAT he has also taken a trip through the photocopier and will be heading somewhere else exciting too!
Thank you Amanda for letting him visit you and for sending him off on another adventure.

Flat has now been seen in Austin, Texas!!!!

Flat Stanley has amazing ability to get from one place to the next! Now he is visiting with Amanda and her family in Austin, Texas!



He even took a minute to write Katelyn a letter.

Hi Katelyn,
Flat Stanley here. Just sending you a quick email to let you know I arrived safely in Austin, Texas. The weather here is wonderful!
The first thing I did when I got here was to get decked out in some Texas clothes. As you can see from my attached pictures I got new cowboy boots, a Texas hat and a Longhorn belt buckle! I've made a new friend here, named Trent. This evening we are going to play together.
I've attached a picture of me at the Texas State Capitol building.
Hope you're having a fun day at school.

Your friend,
Flat Stanley

To read more about his visit in Austin, you can visit http://brianandmandie.blogspot.com/2010/03/flat-stanleys-visit-to-texas.html

Flat Stanley stops in Northwest Ohio

Flat Stanley (while having been spotted in Champaign, Illinois) apparently took time to visit Northwest Ohio and our good friend Dan Boyle. While staying in Whitehouse, he attended church with Dan. He was able to study the bulletin, read the Scripture lesson for the day as well as play the piano, organ and keyboard. Flat also hung out with the choir. Joey, Dan's son, taught him all about tractors on his Grandparents farm, and since they were visiting Joey's Grandparents for a haircut he took the opportunity to get a few hairs trimmed as well.Flat was thrilled to get the opportunity to work for FedEx for the day. He was listed as driver number 2 for his journey. He drove the truck, got to steer, talk on the CB and look out the window. Crazy Flat also climbed out onto the grill and the sideview mirror. He was so worn out from his adventure he had to come back in and take a nap in the bunk. He loved his visit with Dan and his family. Hope you enjoy following along with the pictures!