And this was a sick day...

We seem to still have the sickies in this house with Jeff being the worst. He was flat out all day Sunday. He is a strong believer of getting up and getting out will help you feel better. (what is that all about?) So we got dressed and headed for downtown. We had not been there in two Saturdays and I think we were going through withdrawals. Once we got on the George Washington Parkway, I seriously felt myself getting better. I love the drive to downtown D.C. (and this is the ugly time of year)
We really didn't plan on doing much and didn't even bring a stroller, but the D.C. addicts that we are once we get down there we don't know how to stop.
Our first hit was the Lincoln Memorial to talk to the kids about Martin Luther King. Annie Kate had learned a lot about him at school and I think she taught us more than we did her. I have figured that in the 7 months we have lived here, we have visited on a average of once a month.
We spent some time at the reflecting pool, but forgot to bring bread for a duck friends. Our hungry tummies cried out for one of our favorite places to eat. The National Museum of the Native American is on of my favorite places to eat. It is one of the newest museums on the mall and so it is still a little empty. They were brilliant in building it buy putting in the best restaurant/cafe to attract the masses. Well it has worked for us. Annie Kate walks right in now and orders her fry bread like a pro.




I opted for something new this time and went with the Navajo Taco and a pumpkin squash with pine nuts and yellow raisins. It was so amazing. If you ever get to D.C. or live her don't miss it.






We visited yet more ducks outside and the security officer ask me to get my daughter out of the water. I figured this was our 4th set of ducks we played with this weekend.

1. lakes by our house.
2. Washingtonion Center
3. reflecting pool
4. American Indian museum

We need to keep a loaf of bread with us at all times!


We then ran into the Air and Space Museum to see if there were IMAX movies playing and could not miss taking a few minutes in the kids exploratory room. Also a must if you go. The kids get to sit in a real plane.


Annie Kate tested checked out her weight in space. We gave a few glances around and then bolted for next spot.

























Caroline loves to find rocks and the path to National Art Museum had plenty for her to find and put in Jeff's pocket. She told us that they look like Monkey Finger Nails.

I loved this photo of Sally Jane and Jeff looking at a plane flying overhead.

We made it to something we had not done yet, The National Gallery of Art! Oh my what an incredible building and collection of treasures. They had a beautiful water fountain in the center and fresh springtime flowers the smell was amazing. It is on the new top of my list of must sees in the city.

Annie Kate was drawn to one of the Jackson Pollock prints recognizing it from the book Olivia.

We had to remind her not to try this at home like Olivia did.







We also found the Campbell Soup print by Andy Warhol.

Here is a great website for your kids to look at and a real help in helping kids appreciate the museum.








We waited on the lawn by the Capitol for Jeff to pick us up while the girls collected mor Monkey Finger nails.



















The girls were so tired and had a nice little nap while we went to Georgetown and I ran into Paper Source.

Jeff said I will drive around and be back in 15 minutes. Who can spend only 15 minutes in Paper Source for their first time? or ever? The two story shop on M street did not disappoint. I came so close to buying a yard of cute pink and green polka dot ribbon for $4.25 a yard. (the ribbon outlet sells 50 yard spools for $3.00) but resisted even though it was true eye candy.

It was a great day in the city, very unplanned (remember we had no stroller, I kept looking for Mindy's) and it was 73 degrees in January. If this is a sick day I am scared for our next time downtown.
Does this make you want to come visit me???