Last year Justin and I took off 1 1/2 days during the girls spring break.  One day we went to DC and the other afternoon we went bowling.  We had a great time so we decided to do the same exact itinerary this year.  We drove into the city, easily found a spot with Parking Panda, and started our walk. We took the single stroller and the girls took turns but obviously with one stroller and three kids, they too did quite a bit of walking.  First, we walked by the front of the White House making our way to the World Word II Memorial.  There was a service going on in honor of World War II vets.  It is crazy to me that that time in history was 70 years ago….is 70 years a long time ago or not?  I think it depends on your own age and where you are personally in your life.  I just couldn’t help thinking that there are only a few more years, maybe a decade for some lucky folks, where there will be living World World II vets.  It’s certainly a sobering fact.Here the girls are at the World War II Memorial.We headed towards the Tidal Basin where we walked until we were fairly close to the Jefferson Memorial (a strategic decision so to be sure that was the next stop) and then we stopped for a picnic lunch that we had brought from home.  The Cherry Blossoms bloomed early this year and were long gone as were the crowds of people.  The girls were having fun with the camera. Up next was The Jefferson Memorial.  It has been YEARS since I had been there.  I walked up the stairs with Avery and Emerson while Justin took the long ramp for strollers with Harper.  Avery was wearing her sunglasses and I think the darkness coupled with the white flooring, threw her depth perception off to the point she was crying and shaking and wanted to leave.  We hung out for a few but were pretty quick to leave – making sure they knew some basic facts about Thomas Jefferson.

The girls really wanted to see the MLK Memorial again so we headed there next.  We took a quick stop to enjoy the beautiful tulips.  Okay, maybe the word “enjoy” is stretching it slightly…. Poor Emerson…her allergies, especially her eyes, had been driving her crazy.  The pollen was horrible and her eyes were so itchy:(We relaxed for a few minutes at the MLK memorial.  Where’s Waldo?  Then we walked along the Reflection Pool and made our way to the vicinity of the Washington Monument where we took an ice cream sandwich break. Justin wanted to head back home but the girls (and me) wanted to continue as they wanted to go on the carousel.  It took some nudging and promising from the girls that they wouldn’t complain (they didn’t) and we walked for about another 20 minutes to the carousel.  I was afraid to let Harper go on by herself so I bought a ticket and went on the ride.  As soon as it started, she didn’t want me holding on to her so I decided I too would jump on a horse.  I haven’t actually had my own seat at a carousel since I was a kid….I was grinning ear to ear and Harper and Avery thought it was hilarious.  Emerson was in front of us so I think she knew I was on the horse, but couldn’t really watch without turning around….which I wouldn’t let her do! A much needed potty break was necessary after the carousel so we headed across Constitution Avenue and made our way to the Museum of Natural History where we briefly explored the marine mammal and mammal exhibits.

And then it was dinner time.  Originally I thought we would be at a restaurant just prior to 6:00 avoiding any wait times.  We were just a few minutes behind that schedule due to another potty break that Harper needed to take which set us back about 20 minutes.  I originally wanted to go to Matchbox but it was too far out of the way so I thought Old Ebbit Grill would be a perfect choice!  Wrong…it was slammed!  So we started walking as I got on my phone to do some further research and we came across a Mexican restaurant.  I was the third party in line and after they seated both parties ahead of me (one a party of five), the hostess told me they were no longer taking any walk ins.  I politely turned around and exited while cursing the hostess in my head.  Justin spotted a Corner Bakery (the same one we ate lunch at last spring break actually) and I agreed.  On the way, another restaurant Hamilton caught our eye.  It didn’t look busy so I went in to check it out….the wait was an hour.  Corner Bakery it was!  I start ordering only to find out they are out of pasta!  No pasta meant no Mac and Cheese for Harper and no plain pasta for Avery.  Bagels I asked, in which the response was no:(.  So we left.  Justin wanted to go home or get something in Arlington and I knew we would just be sitting in traffic so that option also wasn’t a very good one.  Again I turned to my phone and found a Pot Belly’s.  We headed there…..it closed at 7:00…we made it in at 6:45!  We ate pretty much in silence as the girls were exhausted and Justin pretty much wanted to chop my head off for not leaving hours earlier.  The good news is that he is long over it and I’m sure will laugh when he reads this…at least I hope so!!