Day at the museums

After a very taxing evening, we decided that we should keep a bit simpler today.  So we headed right for the National Mall.  We walked past the J.Edgar Hoover FBI building and the National Archive, and had some conversation about the FBI, or SGI as Bear referred to it. Then we started talking about the Constitution, which seemed appropriate since we were walking down Constitution Avenue.  Al had no clue what we were talking about, so we filled him in a bit.  

Sometimes it hard to remember when you didn't know something... Like you've know it forever, but you haven't.  But when you learned about it you have no memory.  Well, I'm hoping Al especially has some of those moments in the future after this vacation.

Having visited the Natural History Museum on Thursday... See below for highlight

We decided to hit the Air and Space Museum and the American History Museum.  Al said he wanted me to see Kermit.  Well, not a single Kermit sighting, but we did see Dorothy's ruby slippers, and Count Von Count, and a wicked cool colonial grandfather clock.  And those were all in one exhibit.

I would say my favorite part was America on the Move about the history of transportation in America.  Really cool to learn about.  Some really cool vehicles on display from all over the country.  "Oh," Bear said, "vehicle means car."  She's so damn smart.  But then she also said "I don't like museums." At which point she started so I handed her a lollipop and she fell asleep, the stocked candy stuck to her jacket.  Sometimes we just gotta get through.

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo... You can come too, too, too

DC certainly has a lot to offer for kids (and people like me who have never been).  Today we ventured to the National Zoo and saw the animals.  I was impressed that the Zoo is run by the Smithsonian Institute, and that it is dedicated to learning and preserving species.  It's been an active zoo for 125 years, and began to save the American Buffalo from extinction.  The grounds were pretty lovely and closely mimicked the natural settings for a majority of the animals there.  

Of course my favorites were the elephants.  They had a beautiful setting for the 6 female elephants and the singular male had his own space as well.  

I think Bear's favorite part was the fish in the Amazonia exhibit. The Amazon was recreated in the climate controlled building with amazing plants, humid conditions and waterways filled with rays and fish. 

The funny thing is that she told everyone on the plane that she was going to Washington D. and going to see the fishes. She even told the mom from another Waterbury family staying in our hotel this morning she was excited to see fishes at the zoo. She got her wish. 

We took the long way

OIWe decided to take the kids to DC. It will be fun, we thought.  It's not even that far, we assured ourselves.  So we booked train tickets right from our door seep practically.  12 hours and we're there. We made lists of things to pack; books, iPads, kindles, games, etc.  This should do it, we said. We got this, we assured ourselves. 

Then I got news that Alissa's Grampy had passed.  The service was on Wednesday.  Wednesday!  Change of plans. Separate paths were planned. One was the original, the other a very different route. Bear and I would take a late night bus to New Hampshire and then a flight from Manchester Airport.  Sar and Al would choo-choo it all the way. 

Long story short, neither trip was short. Both were draining and hard, and magical all the same.  Bear got to ride on a bus, one of her life long (3 years) dreams. She had the first plane ride in her memory and could not have been better on the plane. The look on her face when she looked out and saw that we were, in fact, above the clouds, was priceless.  She made people smile the whole way, apparently alleviating a little bit of stress for those around us.  She stopped in the tube that connects the plane and the terminal and snapped a few pictures, and caused even the most stern faces to smiles.  

The train was a long ride. A visual schedule kept them going, they knew their last stop was held a big pay off; not only would they be here, we would all be together.  

They had to knock a lot and then even call the hotel room to wake me when they arrived, having fallen to sleep like a rock when Bear finally drifted off.  How relived this momma hen felt when we were all here.