A Washington Weekend

I have lots to record for memory's sake on the blog, but I can't let too much time pass without sharing our trip to Washington D.C. last weekend.  Several months ago we found out that because of the amount of business Ned had written with Allstate, we would be invited to their regional event in April. He ended up doing so much business that he won two rooms for the weekend, allowing his parents to go too.

The four of us left after school Friday and made great time until about 20 miles away from the city, where traffic slowed to a crawl.  We finally got moving again, only to have the navigation on my phone get us all turned around.  Onstar was then unable to send directions to our car.  Three seconds shy of a panic attack, the lovely Onstar lady offered to stay on the line and give us turn-by-turn herself.  We were thrilled to arrive at The Four Seasons in Georgetown, and I was even more thrilled that my children weren't the only ones checking in.  We got settled into our room and went to bed.  We were so lucky to have Chester the raccoon for the weekend (to not lose in the big city), and he and Avery were excited to have their own sofa bed.  Sam's pack-n-play fit perfectly in the mini bar room.

After breakfast in the hotel Saturday morning, we set off walking toward the Metro station.  We knew to expect crowds since it was the Cherry Blossom Festival, but we didn't expect to have to wait for the 3rd train to finally squeeze on.  We got out at the Smithsonian stop, and even thought the parade was going by, we decided to pay a visit to the ruby slippers since Avery wears hers all the time.  She took one look and wanted to know where the real ones were.  They have dulled considerably.

We continued our walk to see the cherry trees along with lots of other people.  We didn't cross the road to the Tidal Basin, but we saw plenty of trees and had enough of the crowd.  By then it was time for a picnic lunch.  I assure you our kids had a wonderful time on this trip, even though they often have faces of teenagers that have been drug along on an educational trip.

After lunch we got back on the Metro in the middle of one of the few crying fits that Sam has ever had and also at the exact same time that millions of people were getting off the train and coming out of the station.  Thankfully the crying ended and the trains weren't crowded headed out of the city.  Everyone got in a much-needed rest before we went out to explore Georgetown.  We walked around the city and through neighborhoods, stopped in Vineyard Vines, and then had dinner at The Tacklebox.  I planned to get back to the hotel early, but who can turn down a walk by the water.  Then fate stepped in again with an open table outside an ice cream and crepe shop.

High on ice cream, the kids took awhile to go to sleep, but everyone slept well.  We ate breakfast at the hotel again so that I could have the yummy crab omelet, then we checked out.  We were on our way to the zoo, and I had read that the parking lots filled early.  We sat for awhile trying to get in and get parked but were still in before everything opened.  I had never been to the National Zoo, and the kids had never been to a zoo.  I guess I had grand expectations, and I was kind of let down.  It was a fine zoo, but I didn't feel like there were a ton of animals.  Crowds weren't too bad unless you were in one of the more popular areas, but the zoo is huge and VERY hilly.  I'm glad we went, but I don't know that we would go again.  Avery wanted to see a beaver (because her teacher had been telling her about a beaver "character" around the cherry blossom trees) and she wanted to ride the merry go round.  The beaver, of course, was no where to be seen in its habitat.

We did see some neat animals and had a good time.  After lunch at the zoo, it was time to return home.  Ned's parents left the zoo before us and reported bad traffic.  We pretty much came to a stop as soon as we got on 95 and then it was stop/creep for about an hour and a half.  Sam had just started dozing when we stopped, so he couldn't fall asleep.  Avery slept for quite awhile.  We stopped for snacks and a bathroom break after we got out of traffic and ended up getting home a little before 6 p.m.  Sometimes I think the kids do better in the car than Ned and I do.

There were of course stressful times, but it really ended up being a great trip.  Avery loves to travel, and Sam is always up for an adventure, so we look forward to more getaways.  Now if we could only accompany Ned on his latest win to New Orleans next month.