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February 17, 2013

Date Night and Day Trip to DC

I ended up keeping Deedle home from school on Friday with a croupy cough and low-grade fever. With some rest and a cool mist humidifier, he seems to be on the mend.

Since he was feeling better, we asked Gram and Pop Pop to come down last night to watch the kidlets so KShaf and I could go out for a belated Valentine's Day dinner. We went here, and it was, without a doubt, one of the best meals I've ever had. They had a special Valentine's Day menu, and I had an amazing Caesar salad, a flawless lobster and Maryland crab risotto, and a perfect apple and blackberry crumble for dessert. It was so nice to have the chance to reconnect with my husband; all in all, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect date.

Today, we decided to take a day trip to Washington, D.C. We drove to New Carrollton and picked up the Metro, only to discover that they were doing work on the track, so we ended up taking a bus for a good portion of the trip. Once we arrived in D.C., we realized that the museums don't open until 10:00, so we had to kill a half an hour in the bone-chilling cold (that wind was brutal!).

I adore this pic.

Once inside the museum, nothing would do but that we go directly to the dinosaur exhibit (Deedle is currently obsessed with dinosaurs).

The T-rex skull was his favorite. Obviously.

We bought tickets to visit the Live Butterfly Pavilion, and honestly, it was the coolest thing ever. There were butterflies everywhere, and the kids got to get a really good, up-close look.


Next, we went to the Insect Zoo. KShaf really wanted to see the live tarantula feeding (uh, no thanks!), but thankfully, we missed it. Instead, the kids got to hold some live insects, including an enormous grasshopper and a beetle that plays dead when it is touched. I was really proud of how easily the kids handled the insects; they had absolutely no fear (if Princess A had been handed a spider, however, it may have been a different story!). 

Check out those insect handlers! Such pros.

Admit it, Gram. You're proud of them, too.

We ate lunch at the Atrium Cafe. Good God, the food is expensive there! It was worth it, though. I had a bowl of chili and cornbread, and after being in the cold all morning, it really hit the spot! We trekked over to the Air and Space Museum after lunch, but by that time, we were all getting a little tired of the crowds. So, after checking out a few exhibits, we started the long hike back to the Metro station. On the way, we walked by the merry-go-round, and despite the insane wind and cold, Princess A insisted on taking a ride ("But, Daddy, they're horses, and you know horses are my very favorite. Daddy, please?? I've never even been on a merry-go-round before!").

They. Loved. It.

We didn't get back to the Shore until almost 3:00, and by that time, Deedle was out like a light. He slept on the couch for almost two hours until I woke him up for dinner (the only thing grumpier than a tired Deedle is a hungry Deedle).


Tomorrow, I might start thinking about work. But until then, I plan to lounge around the house in my PJs, drink tea, and read. Best. Weekend. Ever.

3 comments:

  1. Did you go to the Natural History museum? Cool!!

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  2. Princess A and Deedle,

    Great insect handling skills. I'm proud of both of you.

    Gram

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  3. Looks like a great trip was had by all. Can't wait to hear about it in person.

    Pop Pop

    ReplyDelete