Oh say, can you see? I didn't get a chance to share some of the places we went last week! One day I took the kids to the American History Museum followed by another visit to the Natural History Museum to see the Ocean exhibit. The Star Spangled Banner was most impressive. We had to stand in a queue (kind of like Disneyland without the thrill) that took us into a darkened room. The original Star Spangled Banner was reverently illuminated behind a large glass wall. In the line we had a chance to learn the history of the War of 1812 and Francis Scott Key's inspiration to write his famous poem. Afterward, Mara said, "I didn't know anything about the Star Spangled Banner! It was neat!" If that isn't payoff, I don't know what is!
Now these are some star struck little boys. Jeffrey said, "See! I told you C3P0 was real!" You can see that knowing look in his expression.
It was so fun to see the Ruby Slippers, Kermit the Frog, and Seinfield's "puffy shirt." A favorite exhibit was an old doll house. A woman had started collecting miniature doll house furnishings when she was a child and kept adding on for 50 years. It was a beautiful collection. My girls were inspired and want to start their own. I don't think we have the space. :)
This is a couple of days later. This was a day that didn't seem as fun to us, but looking at the pictures I think I could still call it a success. (Neil says the pictures are always better than the actual event.) Neil, our personal valet, dropped us off near the sculpture gardens and the plan was for us to walk through the gardens and to the Natural History Museum to look at the dinosaur exhibit. It was a muggy day and warmer than it has been. We over-dressed and the kids were melting in the first ten minutes. After making our way through the sculpture gardens and getting through security for the museum, we all felt a bit out of sorts and didn't really want to be there. It was extremely crowded because of spring break and the Cherry Blossom festival. Neil joined us after parking the van and biking back. We ditched the museum and walked to the Old Post Office to see if we could ride the elevator to the top of the tower. We got there just minutes too late for the last ride up. Oh well, not every day can be a picture of touring perfection.
Life imitating art.
Yoko Ono's "Wish Tree." It was filled with scraps of paper, receipts, anything you can think of to write on. Little wishes whispered to the tree. Mara wished for all the candy she could ever want. Jeff wished for a Star Wars toy. Emily wished for world peace.
Outside the Old Post Office we ran into Ben Franklin, himself!
This was a great find. On Saturday we went to the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria. It was very impressive and the Masonic signs and symbols were fascinating--especially to temple going Latter-day Saints. Very interesting. . . .
This is the fantastic view from the top of the Masonic tower.
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