truckeroo + yards park

Friday night we decided to check out Truckeroo, a monthly festival where all the food trucks come together and create massively large lines and LOOOONG waits for food. I think we ended up there at peak evening time (go between 2 and 5 if you can). We couldn't find the end of the line for the lobster truck and TaKorean, two of the most popular trucks, so we scoped out trucks with shorter lines. Our poor friends waited in line forever at a taco truck and it ran out of food right before they got to the front. I went for the Mojo truck which had a deceptively long line. But my sandwich was worth the wait. Steak in a yummy mojo sauce with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg on top! Ben chose the Fojol Brother's Ethiopian truck. I really liked their lassipops. We topped off our meal with a super delicious triple European chocolate cupcake from the sweetbites truck. No line!

We were really close to the Yards Park so we decided to check it out (free concerts on Friday nights). It was fantastic and cured the children of all residual crankiness from the Truckeroo line fest. We ended up spending a few hours there and didn't get home until 11. The park had three important things that our yard doesn't: lush, green, glorious grass, a cool breeze off the water, and a lack of mosquitos. They have some great water features that kids (and adults) can play in. My photos offer a dark glimpse of our lovely evening.

 

Truckeroo was just outside of Nationals Park.

 

 

torpedo factory.

After Amelia's art camp one day, we walked along the waterfront in Old Town and then walked through the Torpedo Factory. (The Torpedo Factory used to be, well, a torpedo factory. Now it's this great art space that houses over 80 artists' studios. You can walk around and watch the artists work.) We have been in there several times before but this was the first time I really explored all of the studios. The kids loved it. There is such a variety of art. They particularly loved the sculptures.

Art Show

We did a lot of art projects throughout art week. Finger painting, sun prints, puppets, dot paints, etc. We hung some of the art on the wall and ended the week with an art show. Amelia was more than happy to discuss her artwork in great detail.

 

Theme Week #3: ART

Art week began the same as all theme weeks—with a trip to the library. We found lots of great art books for kids.

Amelia got to attend a 3-day art camp through the Art League at the Torpedo Factory (her class was actually in one of their annex buildings in Old Town). She loved the camp. She told me several times that one of her teachers was a famous artist that has paintings in the White House. Elsa, Oliver and I hung out at Canal Center one day while we waited for Amelia to finish up. Elsa liked taunting the ducks and watching airplanes.

Amelia's pop-up heart from her first day of art camp.

Her abstract painting titled "Cardinal in the Night."

change of scenery.

Sometimes he just needs a new place to play.

Lists.

I'm always trying to keep track of places we've been and places we want to go. It's very helpful to have a list to turn to when we have a free Saturday, a date night, visitors, etc. I start to get a bit anxious at the end of every season, wondering if I took advantage of everything there is to do around here. I added my lists (which are updated frequently as I think of things) to the side bar of this blog as a quick reference for me and anyone else. I always love to get suggestions and recommendations too!

ACKC

After our exploration of Meridian Hill Park we were in serious need for some refreshment. We had been wanting to try the shakes at ACKC and happened to be near one of their locations. One of the best shakes I've had in D.C. They have all of these awesome flavor combinations that you can get as a shake, ice cream, or hot chocolate. I had the Judy Garland (milk chocolate with a shot of hazelnut and covered in whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles). Ben had the Lucy (semi-sweet chocolate infused with chipotle and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon). I can't wait to go back in the winter and try the hot chocolates. Before we headed home we walked around the Logan Circle area and admired all the beautiful homes.

Peter and the Wolf Addendum

I forgot to mention this great animated movie of Peter and the Wolf that we watched (it won an Oscar for best short film). It's streaming on Netflix if you need to fill 30 minutes of your time.