American History Museum

After the excitement of the color run, our visitors had to part with us.  They were all headed up to the NY/CT area, so we decided to make a trip up to DC with them for a few hours.  We stopped at the American History Museum, my favorite museum on the National Mall.  

We only saw a short portion of the museum, as there is so much to see in it.  We spent about 2 hours walking around before having lunch and saying sayonara to my D Step's brother and his wife.  

Yep, that's Kermit.  and Dorothy's ruby slippers.  And a tax collector.  

They had a whole exhibit for the Little Golden Books.  And I loved this vintage mason jar.  It was next to an exhibit all about old fashioned homes.  

My Minions

Z Step being cheesy 

We then walked all over the Mall, looking at a few monuments and the Lincoln Memorial.  We then walked back to our car and parted ways with the other Steps.

A Successful D.C. Trip!

After the last failed DC trip, we decided to give it another go.  We don't know how long we will be in this area, and my brother hadn't been in years.  So we hit the road without any kind of milk or dairy products in Z Step's belly.  

It turned out to be a very successful trip.  We got to walk around the sites and go to the Air and Space Museum.  It's always been one of Daddy Step's favorites.  Z Step enjoyed seeing the planes and "Wockets."  After awhile Z Step turned into the snickers guy and we had to dart outside to have a picnic on the National Mall.  Clearly E Step had fun too!

Daddy Step and EZ

Some of the sites from Air and Space

Both boys loved this

E Step eating handfuls of hummus

After our tummies were full, we hit the streets to see more sites.  It was very hot out but we walked around and saw the World War II Memorial which had a beautiful fountain that everyone was cooling off in.  We briefly walked by Vietnam, and passed the Lincoln Memorial before hitting the road to go home.  

For Uncle Ricky's last day we had a nice dinner and story time.  Thanks for coming Uncle Ricky!  Z Step loves you!

DC trip attempt

Today we headed up to DC for the day to go see some sights and museums.  Or so we thought.  

As you may recall, a few months ago on our trip to DC, Z Step threw up in the car in front of the federal buildings and many cops.  It was a mess.  We realized that giving him milk before any kind of car trip was a big no no.  He's always had issues with milk since he was weaned after his first birthday. Today I was in such a rush getting everything together to hit the road on this very very hot day (103) that I forgot this and gave him a cup of milk AND a yogurt.  As if on cue, as soon as we got into DC, Z Step began puking again.  We attempted to find a parking spot to pull over and clean up, but found nothing.  After 45 minutes of driving around, I finally pulled into a handicap spot to clean him up a bit more.  He was put into a t-shirt my dad happened to have, and we cleaned the seat the best we could.  He looked pathetic.  He was so sad, and not his usual silly self.  With all the parking issues we were facing, the heat, and this sick boy, we decided we were not meant to be in DC today.  So we headed home.  What a bummer.  It was worth a try, but it seems the odds were not in our favor today.  We did however get to view a few sites from the car!  

E Step having his "breakfast" before our trip.  

The Jefferson memorial

Dad and a sick boy in his t-shirt

E Step playing in the grass.  He was so good

Unfortunately the Washington Monument has been under construction since we got here.  

Uncle Ricky and E Step

DC visit- Natural History Museum

DC is one of my favorite cities only after Charleston and Tokyo that is.  When we lived here 4 years ago, we were in DC almost every weekend.  We loved touring the National Mall, and going out for drinks in Georgetown.  It really was the best place to spend our first year together.  Now that we have gotten older and had kids, going into DC is just not what it  used to be.  We now have two littles who get bored easily, so heading into the city is not quite as easy.  But alas, we do it anyway because we love the city and have family come visit.  

This weekend, Daddy Step's cousin, was visiting with his daughter.  They wanted to head to the natural history museum, which is one of the ones that is fairly kid friendly.  We packed our lunches and headed up north.  

When we got there, we had some time to kill, so we walked around outside the art museum.  Z Step needed to get some energy out, and E Step was napping in his baby carrier.  We got to see a water fountain and some modern sculptures outdoors.  We really don't understand modern art.  I couldn't tell what any of them were supposed to be.  We then played a bit outside before heading into the museum.  

E Step and I looking at the fountain.  He thought this was pretty cool

Daddy Step and Z Step looking up at the fountain

Z Step thought this was so cool.  I think he wanted to swim

I don't get it.  A guy doing a potato sack race?  I'm sorry, but I just don't get modern art.  

E Step loved standing against this tree!

Z Step playing hide and go seek with E Step

After parking the car, we headed into the museum.  I had to duck out a few times to feed E Step, but got to skim bits and pieces.  It was a summer weekend and it was absolutely crazy of tourists.

Lots of Dinosaurs and fossils.  

Daddy Step's birth stone.  I'll take one of each please...

After a picnic on the National Mall's lawn, we headed home in order to hit up the grocery and prep for the week ahead.  It was a nice quick trip into the city for some fun.  Looking forward to doing it again.

The White House from afar.