Sunday evening stroll

Ben had to work all last weekend (boo!) due to the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings (protests took a different turn this year and included an anarchist 5K Run on the Bank, tug-of-war on Pennsylvania Avenue, soccer in Dupont Circle, a scavenger hunt and baseball).

He finally made it home Sunday afternoon and suggested an evening stroll through Huntley Meadows. It was a gorgeous evening and we spotted lots of animals, including a beaver (or possibly a muskrat, but beaver sounds more exciting).








I love seeing the transformation of Huntley Meadows throughout the year. Suddenly, it's green again.

Dress-up

Sometimes my children enter a room and just make me laugh. Elsa has gotten more interested in dress-up clothes lately and loves to copy Amelia.




This was Amelia's idea of getting ready for bed. She reminded me of an old lady with her slippers and sweater and handbags. She added the hair bow to go with her pajamas.

Adventures Part 4: Old Town, dogs, and parks

Saturday morning we headed to Old Town and strolled through the Farmers Market. We were mostly just killing time until our favorite brunch spot opened up...Fontaine Caffe and Creperie. We love this place. I'm always torn between the sweet and savory. Crepes or french toast. Breakfast bruschetta or quiche. Okay. I want to go back right now.

After brunch we wandered along the waterfront and then had a lazy afternoon with a picnic at a park.








(They even have a kids menu...yes, that is a kid size crepe, and yes, Amelia ate the whole thing.)




(Inside the Torpedo Factory)

We came across this guy walking a huge Newfoundland dog. It looked even bigger in person. I'm pretty sure this guy gets stopped 100 times when he walks his dog. Amelia was okay with petting him (I believe his name was Bob) but Elsa watched from a safe distance and kept saying "bear, bear."






Elsa was right...he really did look like a bear.

Park photos courtesy of Kristilyn:




Yes, Elsa insists on climbing up things like this by herself.

She must get it from her dad...

Adventures Part 3: Kayaking

Last Friday evening we headed to Georgetown and rented some kayaks. It was a beautiful night to be floating around on the Potomac. It's fun to get a different perspective of the city.

We got as far as the back of the Lincoln Memorial and then started to head back to the dock. It suddenly got really windy and started to rain. So not only were we going against the current, but we were going against some strong wind. It was quite humorous. We were paddling so hard and it felt like we weren't going anywhere. Plus, the waves picked up and were pushing us around and then started crashing into the front of our kayak, drenching my legs each time. I was completely soaked by the time we got back. But it was well worth it.

We stopped at Eamonn's in Old Town on the way home for some yummy fish and chips. I took a picture but the flash revealed far too much in the way of grease so we'll leave that photo out.




(The Kennedy Center and an ominous sky.)




(Kristilyn and Dan)

Adventures Part 2: Museums, eating, etc

After a breakfast of Aebleskivers on Friday, we took the metro into D.C. and wandered around. We strolled through the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art and then wandered over to Chinatown for lunch at New Big Wong. After lunch we stopped into the National Portrait Gallery to admire some art and the fantastic atrium.


(Aebleskiver photo courtesy of Kristilyn)




(Photo credit to Kristilyn)




It was the perfect day for a Strawberries 'n Cream shake from Starbucks. Amelia drank a good portion of the large size.



Our favorite Chinatown lunch spot, New Big Wong:


Lunch was particularly nice because Amelia was doing this (she LOVES orange chicken and ate almost the entire plate herself):


And Elsa was doing this:

Adventures Part 1: Planes and Bikes

Our fantastic friends Kristilyn and Dan came to visit this past weekend and we had such a fun time. (I know Kristilyn from high school and many adventures beyond.) The kids especially loved the extra attention and Amelia didn't seem to mind all the additional cameras in her face.

After picking them up from Reagan, we immediately headed to Gravelly Point for some airplane action:




Dairy Godmother for some custard happiness:

(We learned our lesson and got Elsa her own dish this time...she had to make sure she got every last drop.)

Thursday night we had a babysitter. We managed to fit 4 bikes in and on our car and headed into D.C. to bike around the monuments at night...one of our favorite things to do.