Washington DC

So we surprised Amiya with a trip to DC for the weekend. She thought we were going to IKEA. For three days. To sleep over. (Don't you love how gullible they are?) Anyway, she thought we were leaving our house at 4:45 Saturday AM to get in line to be able to spend Mother's Day weekend at IKEA. She didn't really catch on to the whole flying somewhere thing until the check-in counter at the airport and then she only figured out we were off to DC when she opened her bag at security to find all the DC and presidential biographies that we packed.
The kids thought the Metro was the most fun ever. Until Kev hit his head. And then it all calmed down. Amiya thought she was hot stuff for being able to do her own ticket and being able to stand by herself on the escalators. (Until we got to the escalator at the Zoo station - it's about three stories tall - that was scary for her.)

We thought she'd be really into the Air and Space Museum but that was so last year it seems. She did like touching the moon, but that was about it.Kev had had it by this point - so we threw him a bone and checked out the Natural History museum. Huge success, animals everywhere with this huge elephant as soon as you get through security. He was in love.

Amiya was very intrigued by the Morganucodon and the video that was being shown nearby. It was the clearest, most concise explanation of the evolution of mammals that we've seen.

Kev wasn't really all that interested in evolution. Bobo the chimp was enough for him.After the museum, we forced the kids on a march through the entire mall. No small feat for such small feet. I'd be lying if I said they didn't complain because they did. And how. But it was worth it. Amiya could not get over the size of the Washington Monument and she got several stamps in her national park passport, so all was well. Kev wanted to go back and see Bobo again.

From the Washington Monument we headed to the Lincoln Memorial via the World War II Memorial. It was VE Day and so World War II Veterans were everywhere. We gave up our bench for a group of Vets and tried to explain to Amiya why certain groups of people get extra courtesy and accommodation. I just hope they were able to unstick themselves from all the popsicle juice these two left behind.

Amiya is reading a biography of Lincoln right now and is full of information. We definitely need to go back - we were not able to spend nearly enough time at the Smithsonian Museum of American History - she could have spent all three days checking out the Presidential memorabilia.

Day 2. Kev had had enough and we were just getting going. Both kids (and Mom) were asleep by 6:45 PM the night before - a 4 AM start will do that to you! But Kev never seemed to recharge. Witness, Day 2. 8:30 AM

We thought a few hours at the National Zoo would do good things for Kev. And they did. For those few hours.

He was trying out for a spot in the monkey exhibit, but we couldn't part with him.
After his stirring monkey rendition, we had high hopes that he was going to perk up. Alas, no.

Amiya was still going strong. She got to meet both President Obama and Ms. Michelle, as she calls the First Lady.

I was caffeine deprived the entire weekend. Can you believe it? This is how things looked the entire time.
As seen on Pennsylvania Avenue as we walked away from the Treasury. Maybe Kev is a fiscal conservative?

Embassy Suites is the only place we can stay from now on. The kids thought the elevator was the best and they each ate their weight in Fruit Loops (get 'em while you can kids, 'cuz they don't come in the house) and waffles.

You think I'm kidding about how much they ate? Nope. Every morning. Waffles, Fruit Loops, potatoes for Amiya, yogurt and fruit for Kev.

And, in perhaps not unrelated news, Kev had issues with both poop and vomit this weekend, thus making it a full and complete family vacation.

And finally - a foreshadowing of days to come. It's Madame President who campaigned on a platform of "no smoking and no littering." That's right. By the time she reaches 35, the only problems in the world will be smoking and littering. If only it were true!