Week 1- Whew...

We have packed in a lot of sightseeing this 1st week. It's so hard to stay inside when you know there is so much to see!

Our 1st full day here, a Sunday, was cold and rainy. We spent the morning driving to the burbs to hit up a grocery store.

After naps, we hit the streets. Really wish I had a rain cover for my stroller!

Since the National Archives is close, we decided to make it our 1st stop.

Being close to closing time plus the weather made for a perfect time to visit... no one was there.

You can't take pictures inside, so this is all we got of our visit.

I consider it a successful trip since Simon did not spit up on the Constitution.

After Tom got home from "work" (it's really a learning conference.. he sits in lectures all day) on Monday, we decided to just to take a stroll around the block.

Navy Memorial

These panels commemorate events in naval history.

The Lone Sailor and MG with matching pea coats

I don't remember what building this was in front of... do remember how cold it was and that I really didn't bring proper attire.

Tuesday

Decided to venture out to the nearby library for story time... only problem- the library wasn't open. Bust. Got my days mixed up.

So I checked a map and saw that the White House didn't look that far away- off we went. Half way there, I realized that it was further than I would have preferred, but I was determined to make it.

Oh my, how heavy Simon was getting and pushing that stroller was like pushing a bunch of boulders.

Ta Da! We made it.

Honestly, they could care less.

The walk back was a beast...

Wednesday

Tried story time again.

Margaret was not shy at all

That evening-

Museum of Natural History

Really wished the fellow tourist would have turned the camera so that we wouldn't be just standing by a donation box... oh well, the only family photo we have so far..

H was pretty pumped about the dinos

Thursday

Gave the apt pool a try... too bad my kids were too scared to get in.

I made Henry and Margaret give it a try, hoping they would see that with their floaties they wouldn't sink... still were nervous nellies.

Simon had fun with me though

That evening, walked over to the National Mall

I've had the worse luck with my camera on this trip... always have it on a wrong setting making the pics all crazy-like...

So glad I stole this idea from the Hartzlers

(You should have heard the squeal come out of her... scared Henry enough that he wouldn't take a turn)

Friday

The kids and I ventured to a Sculpture Garden.

It was very windy and quite chilly. The bad thing about living in an apartment, you don't want to go back upstairs to change clothes once you've walked outside and realized that you dressed inappropriately.

That evening,

found a park located near the Potomac River.

Kids were so happy to play there.

Walked over to the Jefferson Memorial

I took the bigs up to see the statue while Tom stayed down with the stroller.

I've learning something about Margaret this trip, she doesn't quite respect the ropes keeping you away from statues/ sculptures/ etc. She was REAL happy that I kept her from climbing at the feet of ol' Tommy. I was REAL happy that I had just seen a sign asking for quiet at the monument.

We attempted another family photo, but as Henry ran to join in, he fell and scraped his hands.
Fail.

He wouldn't take his hands off his chest.

Walking back to the car, we ran into George Mason (apparently he was an author of the Bill of Rights)

You can pick your friends. You can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's nose.

Henry + George = BFF

Finally decided to give into his sleepiness on the way back to the car

Saturday

Spent the morning around the Tidal Basin

Ooo, it was chilly!

Found the Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial... this is one of my favorites

Mosey and Eleanor

Loved her some Fala

Henry was thrilled to be in the cold

Was cool to see the new MLK Memorial

 The inscription reads "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope"

Walked on over to see Honest Abe

 We had a picnic lunch

 When I've ventured out on my own, Simon will never fall asleep. He did twice this morning, without any fuss... of course while Tom was with me.

He also took a 2 1/2 hour nap when we got back to the apt... what?! I'm not holding my breath, though.

After naps, we went out in the drizzle to the Air and Space Museum.

 Simon loves talking to his hands

 H was excited about this red airplane

Margaret, I don't think you're supposed to be standing there. 

And back home in the rain...

That made me tired...