Despite the fact that Addy started asking if we were there yet about five minutes after we left the driveway, the girls did pretty good making the road trip there.
And once we arrived, we hit the ground running, visiting the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. Addy was very excited by the planes and space ships everywhere; Cora was a little nervous.
Here in front of the Wright Brothers airplane.
The girls couldn't resist riding the carousel on the National Mall. Addy picked the horse decorated like a dragon, and Cora's was a cow.
We also managed to squeeze in some time at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, with all the animals and dinosaur skeletons.
Our hotel was quite near George Washington University, where Graham went to grad school, so the next morning as we were driving through campus, Graham decided to show the girls a "game" he and his friends devised...seeing if you can throw a coin into the mouth of the hippo.
Taking the girls to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was next on our list but after parking we realized we were right next to the new Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial. It was truly, truly impressive. Particularly with the sun shining and the mall fairly empty on a Saturday morning.
The quote is hard to read in the picture, but inscribed on the side of the marble is "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." Beautiful imagery.
We tried to explain some of the meaning and importance to the things Addy was seeing as went along. And I hope some of that will stick with her. But even for Graham and I, who must have visited the FDR memorial 10 or more times when we lived in DC, having the girls there and seeing the way they "interacted" with the memorials and sites gave it new meaning.
Interesting juxtaposition here...Addy proudly sitting atop the marble blocks that have the statement "I hate war" inscribed. I always took this "crumbled" display to symbolize the destruction of war, and the way it can ruin cities, buildings, landscapes, etc. Here Addy's turned that destruction into a climbing challenge that can be overcome.
She may not know the words that are above her, but we hope that we instill in her this truth.
Posing with Eleanor.
"Uh, Mr. President, can we play with your dog?"
"Great! Thanks!"
We spent the rest of our day, and most of the next enjoying our time with dear friends. But one more DC shot before we get to that. Saturday evening, we took an evening stroll from our hotel to the White House. Addy asked us if she could play with Malia and Sasha...none of our explanations as to why she couldn't seemed to satisfy her, but she still enjoyed seeing where the President lives.
And now, to the friends. Oh, the fun with friends! So while Jess and I went to Amy's baby shower, Graham and Doug were in charge of the four kiddos: Addy, Cora, Finn and baby Charlie. Charlie had quite the group fawning over him, and he deserved it, the little cutie.
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Leaf Monster.
Sunday morning we met up with David, Jolene, and their kids Emma and Joey for breakfast at the Silver Diner. Here's Graham being a good sport as a victim of a pile-up.
Then, an afternoon playdate with Elia, Ami, Finn, Charlie, Georgia & Sophie, and all our grown-up friends before heading home.
Addy and Elia sharing a good story.
And Addy and I squeezing in a little more baby time with Charlie.
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