Feeling the Flutter

Tropical Storm Hanna came to our town today and left us a bunch of water. My neighbors were hunkering down so we hoped the rest of the city was doing the same and took this opportunity to make a trip into D.C. for the first time since the summer crowds went home to start school.

We made a visit to the Marine PX near the Pentagon that is like a Nordstrom PX. It has my dream dishes and so I will be on the hunt for their twice a year sale. I just discovered they also make a Design Naif Christmas. It is beautiful.

Then after lunch on Capitol hill at our favorite Tortilla Coast we headed to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. They had a new butterfly exhibit in their bugs section.
We are embarking on a whole new world going strollerless. We have so many more options and don't have to wait for the elevator there anymore.
We had to buy tickets (bummer) to see the butterflies but it was worth it. (Locals - Tuesdays are free)
We waited in a holding room to hear all the do's and don'ts of being around the butterflies. To stealing, smashing or touching the butterflies. They also warned us they may land or fly on us and not to hit them if they do.
Annie Kate was the only one actually excited, Caroline freaked out and had to leave, Sally Jane just acted like they were flying bats and kept screaming.
I am sure this would be a real photographers dream. They were everywhere and so beautiful.
This butterfly had great taste as it matched it's flower

This one loved Jeff's orange hat

I put my camera to sports mode and got this photo of the top wings just fluttering away

I loved this butterfly how it liked to show off on its information signage

The lighting in there was incredible. It was like every photo you took was automatically photoshopped.
I have no idea how this photo had shadows around it but after getting a great comment from Take Out Photo* on my sunflower photo I no longer feel bad about using automatic mode (thanks Marc)
This little guy is so lucky that he gets to me darling in black and white spots.
It stopped raining by the time we got out and there were plenty of puddles on the mall for the kids. You have got to love crocs on days like this.
The ride home was spent finding new ways to use all the pull ups we have in the car because it is now official no one in our family wears diapers any more! Woo Hoo!! Over done - if feels great. I guess until Jeff and I get old and start wearing them.


*Take Out Photo is a wonderful site that not only displays great photos but teaches you all the tricks of the trade for FREE!!! Yes you can learn wonderful tricks to take and make great photos. Click here. I still have great intentions of doing June's challenge.