We took off around noon and went to the Madison Building -- part of the Library of Congress. I got a Reader's Card so I could get into the Main Reading Room in the Jefferson Building. After that we went to the 6th floor of the Madison Building to the cafeteria to have some lunch. When we finished there, we were leaving and discovered the large statue of James Madison. Took a few pictures and then went to the Jefferson LOC Building.
We first went to the Bob Hope Exhibit. Kim met up with us and we went to the Childrens' Reading Room. We actually walked in on story time @ the LOC! How fun!! We explored the three rooms that were open to us. We even found a Braille copy of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Beside that we also found a Hebrew version and an Arabic version of the same book!
Then we all went to find out how to get into the Main Reading Room. The guards were very nice and allowed J & D to go into the Main Reading Room with me! Even though they were too young! Kim requested a book that was in the Rare Books Collection and the three of us looked for one of G's books. It was actually listed there as well! We brought home the printout to show hubby!
While Kim was in the Rare Books Section, the boys and I went to the Bookstore in the LOC. D and I then took off and used our "Passports to Knowledge" to look at other exhibits in the Library.
The Library closes at 5 or 5:30 most days, so we had to leave "early" by our time schedule!
Another great day exploring in DC!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29th
The boys were begging for a day off, so we stayed in, relaxed and generally did nothing!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 28th
Today we got out of the house earlier than usual and met our friend Kim Murff at the Capitol Visitors Center. I had contacted my State Rep. and had gotten 4 tickets for the Congress tour. We got to see the Crypt, the National Statuary room @ the Capitol and the Rotunda.
Then we got to go back in to take more pictures of the statues in the crypt. From there we saw the statue of Freedom, the bronze statue that graces the top of the Capitol dome. WE had lunch @ the visitor's center and hti the gift shop. Then we took the tunnel from the Capitol to the Library of Congress. We took a guided tour and saw the Gerorge & Ira Gershwin Room; the Whitthall Pavilion where the strativarius vioins and violas are kept. Then we saw the grand entrance, the Guttenburg Bible the main reading room and then saw the Thomas Jefferson collection of books.
All in all, so interesting, we're going back there tomorrow.
Then we got to go back in to take more pictures of the statues in the crypt. From there we saw the statue of Freedom, the bronze statue that graces the top of the Capitol dome. WE had lunch @ the visitor's center and hti the gift shop. Then we took the tunnel from the Capitol to the Library of Congress. We took a guided tour and saw the Gerorge & Ira Gershwin Room; the Whitthall Pavilion where the strativarius vioins and violas are kept. Then we saw the grand entrance, the Guttenburg Bible the main reading room and then saw the Thomas Jefferson collection of books.
All in all, so interesting, we're going back there tomorrow.
Monday, June 27th
We visited the Museum of American History and came home. After the rigorous sightseeing over the weekend, just one museum was enough today.
We did meet hubby and a friend from work (Ben) @ Matchbox for dinner in Chinatown. Yummo!
We did meet hubby and a friend from work (Ben) @ Matchbox for dinner in Chinatown. Yummo!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, July 25th
We took the Metro to Chinatown and found a Chipotle and had lunch. Then we visited the International Spy Museum. That took up a huge chunk of the day. When that was finished, we had a snack of frozen yogurt. Thus fortitied, we took the Metro to FoggyBottom. Then we walked to Lincoln Memorial, saw the non-functioning reflecting pool; Vietnam Memorial; Korean War Memorial, WWII Memorial, Washington Monument again.
Metro back to Ballston ate at Noodles & Co. home at 10 pm
Metro back to Ballston ate at Noodles & Co. home at 10 pm
Friday, June 24, 2011
Friday, June 24th
Another very late sleep in day.... We did laundry etc. then had dinner out w/ Dad.
Planned Saturday.
Planned Saturday.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thursday, June 23rd
The boys and I slept very late after the late night sightseeing trip last night. As we got ready for the day J asked where his shorts were. We searched high and low. I am sure they are safe at home in TX! So today's plan quickly turned into a shopping trip for J so he has more shorts than just 2 pairs!
We found a mall just two blocks away from the next Metro stop up the line. So, onto the Metro, two block walk, shopping success and then lunch @ the food court. A quick stop at the apt. to drop off the purchases and to pick up the camera. Then off to the Museum of Natural History on the Mall.
We stopped at the Smithsonian Castle first off just to get our bearings. Then we cut across the Mall to the Museum of Natural History. The African Elephant in the rotunda is just magnificent. We turned left then and looked at mammals. We ended up in the Underwater portion with the enormous whale suspended from the ceiling. We then took in the Fossils and Dinosaurs.
After that we went to the 2nd floor to look @ the Hope Diamond (which was NOT in its traditional setting) and then looked at the gems in the rest of the exhibit on that floor. We left around 5 PM and took the Metro home.
We found a mall just two blocks away from the next Metro stop up the line. So, onto the Metro, two block walk, shopping success and then lunch @ the food court. A quick stop at the apt. to drop off the purchases and to pick up the camera. Then off to the Museum of Natural History on the Mall.
We stopped at the Smithsonian Castle first off just to get our bearings. Then we cut across the Mall to the Museum of Natural History. The African Elephant in the rotunda is just magnificent. We turned left then and looked at mammals. We ended up in the Underwater portion with the enormous whale suspended from the ceiling. We then took in the Fossils and Dinosaurs.
After that we went to the 2nd floor to look @ the Hope Diamond (which was NOT in its traditional setting) and then looked at the gems in the rest of the exhibit on that floor. We left around 5 PM and took the Metro home.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 22nd
Ah...a good night's rest was SOoooo great!
The boys and I slept in. We had a vacation day today. Finally got out and made another run to the grocery store as we'd failed to get ANY caffine!!
Had a lazy afternoon, and had dinner almost done when hubby walked through the door. Once dinner was done and cleaned up after, we left and took the Metro in to the Smithsonian stop. We walked to the Washington Monument gift shop and got info on where to get tickets to go up top. That will require a 5:30 or 6 AM arrival time to stand in line to get tickets for the day. If we get there really early, we can pick our ticket time. Otherwise we'll get whatever is left!
After that we walked past the Holocaust Museum and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving on our way to the Jefferson Memorial. The sea wall there is under construction, so the walk was longer than I remembered it being. We arrived at the monument about the time a couple of busloads of teenagers arrived. We managed to get some good pictures there. It was about dusk, but still nice.
Then we walked on to the FDR Memorial. Now, from the Jefferson Memorial, you enter the FDR Memorial from the wrong end (had to read the history backwards) but it was still very impressive. From there we headed back to the Mall and to the Metro station. We wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial, but it was getting late and feet were tired.
All in all a great first day of sightseeing in DC!!
The boys and I slept in. We had a vacation day today. Finally got out and made another run to the grocery store as we'd failed to get ANY caffine!!
Had a lazy afternoon, and had dinner almost done when hubby walked through the door. Once dinner was done and cleaned up after, we left and took the Metro in to the Smithsonian stop. We walked to the Washington Monument gift shop and got info on where to get tickets to go up top. That will require a 5:30 or 6 AM arrival time to stand in line to get tickets for the day. If we get there really early, we can pick our ticket time. Otherwise we'll get whatever is left!
After that we walked past the Holocaust Museum and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving on our way to the Jefferson Memorial. The sea wall there is under construction, so the walk was longer than I remembered it being. We arrived at the monument about the time a couple of busloads of teenagers arrived. We managed to get some good pictures there. It was about dusk, but still nice.
Then we walked on to the FDR Memorial. Now, from the Jefferson Memorial, you enter the FDR Memorial from the wrong end (had to read the history backwards) but it was still very impressive. From there we headed back to the Mall and to the Metro station. We wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial, but it was getting late and feet were tired.
All in all a great first day of sightseeing in DC!!
Tuesday, June 21st
We got up at 4 AM to leave the house by 5. Hubby left on Monday so it was up to me to get the boys up and moving. It was raining off and on and the lightning and thunder were non-stop. The drive to the airport was fine until I hit 635 off of George Bush. Then it was awful. 30-40 MPH, windshield wipers on high and still couldn't see! We made it to the remote parking lot and just sat and waited for the rain to stop.
During the worst part of the drive, Hubby called to say that our 7:05 AM flight had been cancelled. Great! So up at stupid-early, driving through awful rain and NO flight. So that's why we sat in the parking lot and waited for the rain to stop.
When we got to the terminal, we were told that we could make it on an 11:40 flight. 5 hours to kill in the terminal. The boys were amazing. We found the recharge station in the seating area and just camped out. We DID make it onto the flight and were in the back of the plane. Flying on passes has it's "perks" ha.
Our original flight was to land at Reagan National Airport on the metro line in DC. Our 11:40 flight took us to Dulles. a 40 minute bus ride to the Metro. We got to the Rosslyn station, purchased passes w/ the help of a Metro worker and made it to the Virginia station. Glenn was waiting for us just outside the exit turnstiles! :-)
The apartment is amazing! We NEVER could have afforded to bring the boys to DC for an extended stay in a place like this, EVER. We're on the 18th floor of the Archstone Apartments
Last night after we'd unpacked, we used Living Socials' Instant deals to find a place for dinner. A nice italian place less than two blocks away. After dinner we walked to the local grocery store and got stuff for breakfasts, lunches and 3 dinners.
Tired doesn't even begin to cover how exhausted I am!
During the worst part of the drive, Hubby called to say that our 7:05 AM flight had been cancelled. Great! So up at stupid-early, driving through awful rain and NO flight. So that's why we sat in the parking lot and waited for the rain to stop.
When we got to the terminal, we were told that we could make it on an 11:40 flight. 5 hours to kill in the terminal. The boys were amazing. We found the recharge station in the seating area and just camped out. We DID make it onto the flight and were in the back of the plane. Flying on passes has it's "perks" ha.
Our original flight was to land at Reagan National Airport on the metro line in DC. Our 11:40 flight took us to Dulles. a 40 minute bus ride to the Metro. We got to the Rosslyn station, purchased passes w/ the help of a Metro worker and made it to the Virginia station. Glenn was waiting for us just outside the exit turnstiles! :-)
The apartment is amazing! We NEVER could have afforded to bring the boys to DC for an extended stay in a place like this, EVER. We're on the 18th floor of the Archstone Apartments
Last night after we'd unpacked, we used Living Socials' Instant deals to find a place for dinner. A nice italian place less than two blocks away. After dinner we walked to the local grocery store and got stuff for breakfasts, lunches and 3 dinners.
Tired doesn't even begin to cover how exhausted I am!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Saturday
Well, today was the day of home improvement efforts. The upstairs guest bathroom has needed some love for awhile now. Today we:
1) fixed the toilet (for the 2nd time)
2) installed a curved shower rod
3) put up a new, fabric (read washable!) shower curtain
4) and purchased stuff to put in the same type shower curtain etc. for the other upstairs bathroom.
All in all, a good home improvement effort today
1) fixed the toilet (for the 2nd time)
2) installed a curved shower rod
3) put up a new, fabric (read washable!) shower curtain
4) and purchased stuff to put in the same type shower curtain etc. for the other upstairs bathroom.
All in all, a good home improvement effort today
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thank GOODNESS summer is here!!
I just reread my last post and realized it's been awhile since all of that craziness! I am so happy about that.
School finally finished. My eldest found buddies to hang out with for 3 days straight. The youngest and I got crackin' on the mess around here and since school was out I have:
1) emptied the toy box; donated usable toys to Goodwill; thrown out broken toys
2) reloaded toy box w/ the remaining toys and CANNOT believe the toy box is still full!
3) weeded out books from 4 bookshelves. Have made 3 trips to Half-price books and and up $25.00!
4) completely cleaned both of my kiddos' bedrooms!
5) gotten rid of piles, boxes and bags of stuff that were in the upstairs living space
6) hosted Stamp Club. We made two simple, but elegant cards
7) had a new guest @ stamp club! Hi there!!
8) completely cleaned the formal dining room after stamp club and it's great!
9) cleaned out the rat's nest that is my corner of the living room. I only have one handwork project in the room now!
10) cleaned out the shelves on my half of the master bedroom closet
11) completely cleaned out and organized the linen closet upstairs
12) spot cleaned the carpet in 3 rooms only to have the cat up-chuck in one of those rooms LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER I FINISHED CLEANING IT!!!
So all in all a very productive two weeks since school was finished.
Happy me!!
School finally finished. My eldest found buddies to hang out with for 3 days straight. The youngest and I got crackin' on the mess around here and since school was out I have:
1) emptied the toy box; donated usable toys to Goodwill; thrown out broken toys
2) reloaded toy box w/ the remaining toys and CANNOT believe the toy box is still full!
3) weeded out books from 4 bookshelves. Have made 3 trips to Half-price books and and up $25.00!
4) completely cleaned both of my kiddos' bedrooms!
5) gotten rid of piles, boxes and bags of stuff that were in the upstairs living space
6) hosted Stamp Club. We made two simple, but elegant cards
7) had a new guest @ stamp club! Hi there!!
8) completely cleaned the formal dining room after stamp club and it's great!
9) cleaned out the rat's nest that is my corner of the living room. I only have one handwork project in the room now!
10) cleaned out the shelves on my half of the master bedroom closet
11) completely cleaned out and organized the linen closet upstairs
12) spot cleaned the carpet in 3 rooms only to have the cat up-chuck in one of those rooms LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER I FINISHED CLEANING IT!!!
So all in all a very productive two weeks since school was finished.
Happy me!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)