3rd Day in DC

We got up today and decided to make the trek to the Zoo. The kids were very excited. Will kept telling me to hurry up. He didn't realize that the metro didn't stop close to the zoo and it would be all up hill to get there. Needless to say I heard how much longer several times. When we finally made it I am not sure if the excitement was that they would get to see the animals or they did not have to walk up hill anymore. Will took a lot of pictures and he had me take a lot of pictures these are just some of the pictures.
After the zoo we did some more touring. As you read on you will see what we did for the entire day. Except for dinner time.

The kids are looking at a jaguar. It is hard to see but it is there.

Next we saw the Red Panda. The picture to the left I didn't even use my zoom. He was so close that Will asked if he could jump on us. That is when the Panda looked like he was laughing at Will.

Next were the Giant Pandas. We spent a lot of time here. They were up in the tree for a long time playing and making a lot of noises. Until one fell upside down from the tree and decided to get all the way down.

The Pandas were very entertaining and cute. I just wanted to hug one.

Next was the Giant Salamander. The kids wanted to pose next to the replica.

Will must of taken 15 shots of the Hippo with his camera. He loved this animal. It moved around and looked at us. I think it was actually posing because every time Will got a shot it would move to a different position.

Gorillas are our favorite in this household. The kids had to pose with the statues. Audrey of course choose the mama and baby.

Will, of course, wanted to ride the silver back like a cowboy.

Audrey is striking a pose while Will has the lets get this over with stance.

I took this picture on my own. I just thought they were pretty. I like frogs especially tree frogs. They are so colorful. It reminds me of home. We have one tree frog that gets on our kitchen window at night.

Will wanted to do some rock climbing or should I say crawling. Isn't he a cutie potutie.

We went to the gift shop and left the zoo. I didn't hear any complaints back to the metro since it was all down hill. Next stop, White house.

We got to the white house and they were not offering any tours. Usually that means the President is at home. Or, it could mean we got there to late.

This is the front of the white house.

This is the back of the White House.

We left here and went to the Washington Monument but they were not doing tours because it was 4:30. So we made our way to the metro and got on. Once again we got on during rush hour. We just never learn.

2nd Day in DC

On our second day we decided that we would go to the Capital. Mark went to class and the kids and I slowly got up. We finally made it down for breakfast and discovered only thing left were donuts and boxes of cereal. We ate a little and off we went. We caught the Metro and it was packed. A lot of people going to work.


We got off on the Capital South stop. As we were approaching a policeman asked me if he could help. I told him we were going to the Capital and the Library of Congress. He told me were to go to get tickets. He was really annoying. He kept calling me lady. Want happened to Mam? Maybe it is just a southern thing.

We got our tickets to go to the Capital. We had a one and a half hour wait so we decided to take some pictures and go exploring a little.

We ended up at the US National Botanic Gardens.

These are some of the pretty plants we saw. This one is one that I want. The kids really enjoyed them selves

This one looked like Halloween. It grew orange limbs with black berries or beads on it. This was the kids favorite.

There was a section for children to plant, dig, water and run around. We didn't stay long because Will ended up throwing dirt on Audrey. He couldn't help himself.

After we left the Garden we sat by the reflection pool and ate our snacks. We had to eat and drink everything we had. They do not allow food or drinks (even empty bottles) in the white house. Security is tight.

Will and Audrey in the Rotunda. It is beautiful.

Will and Audrey spent most of their time browsing while I listened to the tour guide. I think Audrey was trying to figure out where we were now. We were in the Old Hall in now serves as National Statuary Hall.

As we left the building we took time for some photo opts.

A lady took this for us. We were still on the Capital building.

We then went to the National American Indian Museum. We looked around and then got a quick bite. Audrey and Will got french fries. I opted for traditional Indian food and got Squash & Duck soup. It was great. Will took a bite and ate and ate and ate my soup until it was gone. I finally asked him if he knew what it was. He said no so I told him. He said he doesn't like squash. I told him he obviously does.


Next we went to the National Air and Space Museum.



Will and Audrey pose in a plane for me.

The National Museum of American History was closed so they donated a little (I mean little) space for some displays in the Air and Space Museum.

Audrey poses with Dorthy's red slippers and the scarecrow.

Will as you all know is my Star Wars boy. He was thrilled to see C3-PO and R2-D2.

Audrey of course is a Barbie girl. So there is no explaining this.

Will poses with the Wright Brothers. We tried to read everything but Audrey was always going off. She didn't find it as interesting as Will and I.

After we left there, we went to the Carousel. It was around 4:30. We were going to go to the National Museum of Natural History but it was to late. It closes at 5:30 and we wanted to enjoy ourselves. As I waited for the kids Mark called and we decided to meet him for dinner.

Remember when I said the morning ride on the metro was tight. It was nothing compared to the ride back. Some people couldn't even get on. I was like a tigress protecting her young. I found a little spot and wouldn't let anyone near my young. We almost missed our destination because of the tightness but the doors got stuck so we were able to make our way to the door.

Good thing because Mark was there waiting. We walked and went and ate at Rock Bottoms Brewery.

1st Day in DC

We arrived in DC on Saturday. All we did was make our way to the hotel then go eat. We found this Mexican restaurant which was reasonable and terrific. It was so good that we are going again on Wed. The kids will go trick or treating in the mall. We will either eat first or last. Anyhow, the next day we decided to go to Mount Vernon for the day. We had a great adventure.

On the metro going to Mt. Vernon we saw this and Will wanted to take a picture of it. This is The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. This is in Virginia. Ok, I looked it up to tell you more about it but it is to much to write.

Here are the kids in the visitors center at Mount Vernon, Washington's Plantation.

Here is our 1st presidents house. Up close it looks like large bricks but actually it is all wood. It was really interesting.

Washington's gardens were amazing. He had flower gardens, vegetable gardens, just rare plant gardens and medical use gardens. I am aspiring to have a vegetable garden like his. A matter of fact there were some nice egg plants growing and I told the kids what they were. Audrey asked me if that is what eggs look like before they get them to the store before we buy them. I did explain to her no, that she is thinking of chicken eggs.

We saw history while we were there. We were fixing to enter the house when fire alarms started going off. They made everyone clear the house. The alarms were going off in the basement and that since the entire house was wood it may all go up. They said that this was the first time ever that an alarm has gone off and the fire department has had to come out. Don't worry it was a false alarm. It will still be there whenever you would like to visit.

Now this is the smoke house. Mark was really impressed with this.

This is a picture on the wharf behind Washington's house. It was just pretty absolutely no significance of any kind.

I gave Will my old digital camera to take his own pictures so he could write a report and use it for the social studies fair.

He was really getting into it. He was learning to zoom and everything. He even started watching for light.

While Will took pictures Audrey sat down and put her lip gloss on. That's my princess!!

She wanted to pose with the sheep. The sheep just would not cooperate with us. This is the best we got.

Will running in the maze. They had so much fun.

My family, I know not the best light but at least I captured them.

We are now back in the visitor center. This is part of the museum.

Audrey poses as one of Washington's step children.

After we left there we took the metro to Crystal City. The Marine Corp Marathon was that day. So they had a celebration and of course Audrey got all into it. You won't guess what band was playing. I will give you a hint: It was an 80's band.

If you guessed the Spin Doctors you are right. It was the Spin Doctors. Well at least two of them are from the original band.

Still the Spin Doctors.

and still the Spin Doctors. These two pictures are the originals players. This day has been my day. I will explain later on that comment.

I turn around and son like father. They are enthralled in the music. I was mighty proud of Mark it is the first time in 14 plus years that he hasn't talked to me about the sound system. Even though after this many years I have gotten to know a little about it.

Audrey took my camera and started taking pictures. This is one she took not bad. She also took a lot of the audience.

She took this one of me rocking to the great 80's music!

Will and her decided to take a picture of each other taking photos. Mark and I decided to get into the action.

I finally got my camera back and got this great shot of Mark and Audrey dancing. Mark never could turn down a pretty girl.

After this we left to go eat at Legal Seafood. We only waited 15 minutes. And then we were seated. We were going to order Scrod but they didn't cook it like they do in Boston so Mark took control and ordered for us.

Yes, this is my dinner. It consisted of lobster, steamers (clams and mussels), corn on the cob, sausage (not sure why that) and clam chowder. No, I did not eat all of that, but if you look by my mouth you will see butter on my face.

I told Mark I would order for myself next time. We both agreed this was to much food.

Audrey ordered lobster off the children's menu. I read it twice to her and she was determined to get the lobster. I should have got a children's lobster.

Will got clam chowder and he almost ate it all.

The day was great all of our trains were there when we got there. The bus was there when we got there, no long lines, free 80's band concert, great food short wait. Now this was a day my Dad would be proud of. Mark said only in Jots world would this happen.