{"id":3571,"date":"2017-04-13T21:10:27","date_gmt":"2017-04-14T01:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/?p=3571"},"modified":"2021-11-08T21:28:50","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T02:28:50","slug":"dc-spring-break-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/?p=3571","title":{"rendered":"DC &#8211; Spring Break Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Last year Justin and I took off 1 1\/2 days during the girls spring break. \u00a0One day we went to DC and the other afternoon we went bowling. \u00a0We had a great time so we decided to do the same exact itinerary this year. \u00a0We 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. \u00a0First, we walked by the front of the White House making our way to the World Word II Memorial. \u00a0There was a service going on in honor of World War II vets. \u00a0It is crazy to me that that time in history was 70 years ago&#8230;.is 70 years a long time ago or not? \u00a0I think it depends on your own age and where you are personally in your life. \u00a0I just couldn&#8217;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. \u00a0It&#8217;s certainly a sobering fact.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3574\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4858-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4858\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4858-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4858-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4858-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4858-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>Here the girls are at the World War II Memorial.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3573\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4856-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4856\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4856-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4856-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4856-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4856-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>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. \u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3575\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4872-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4872\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4872-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4872-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4872-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4872-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>The Cherry Blossoms bloomed early this year and were long gone as were the crowds of people. \u00a0The girls were having fun with the camera.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3576\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4880-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4880\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4880-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4880-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4880-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3577\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4882-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4882\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4882-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4882-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4882-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3578\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4888-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4888\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4888-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4888-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4888-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3579\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4894-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4894\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4894-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4894-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4894-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4894-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3580\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4900-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4900\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4900-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4900-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4900-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3581\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4905-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4905\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4905-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4905-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4905-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3582\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4910-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4910\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4910-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4910-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4910-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4910-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>Up next was The Jefferson Memorial. \u00a0It has been YEARS since I had been there. \u00a0I walked up the stairs with Avery and Emerson while Justin took the long ramp for strollers with Harper. \u00a0Avery 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. \u00a0We hung out for a few but were pretty quick to leave &#8211; making sure they knew some basic facts about Thomas Jefferson.<\/p>\n<p>The girls really wanted to see the MLK Memorial again so we headed there next. \u00a0We took a quick stop to enjoy the beautiful tulips. \u00a0Okay, maybe the word &#8220;enjoy&#8221; is stretching it slightly&#8230;.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3583\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4916-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4916\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4916-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4916-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4916-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4916-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3584\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4920-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4920\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4920-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4920-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4920-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>Poor Emerson&#8230;her allergies, especially her eyes, had been driving her crazy. \u00a0The pollen was horrible and her eyes were so itchy:(<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3590\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4927-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_4927\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4927-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4927-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4927-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>We relaxed for a few minutes at the MLK memorial. \u00a0Where&#8217;s Waldo? \u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3585\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4926-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4926\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4926-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4926-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4926-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3591\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4932-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_4932\" width=\"584\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4932-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4932-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4932-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>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.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3592\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4936-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_4936\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4936-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4936-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4936-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4936-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/> Justin wanted to head back home but the girls (and me) wanted to continue as they wanted to go on the carousel. \u00a0It took some nudging and promising from the girls that they wouldn&#8217;t complain (they didn&#8217;t) and we walked for about another 20 minutes to the carousel. \u00a0I was afraid to let Harper go on by herself so I bought a ticket and went on the ride. \u00a0As soon as it started, she didn&#8217;t want me holding on to her so I decided I too would jump on a horse. \u00a0I haven&#8217;t actually had my own seat at a carousel since I was a kid&#8230;.I was grinning ear to ear and Harper and Avery thought it was hilarious. \u00a0Emerson was in front of us so I think she knew I was on the horse, but couldn&#8217;t really watch without turning around&#8230;.which I wouldn&#8217;t let her do! <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3588\" src=\"http:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4953-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"_MG_4953\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4953-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4953-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4953-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/MG_4953-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>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.<\/p>\n<p>And then it was dinner time. \u00a0Originally I thought we would be at a restaurant just prior to 6:00 avoiding any wait times. \u00a0We 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. \u00a0I 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! \u00a0Wrong&#8230;it was slammed! \u00a0So we started walking as I got on my phone to do some further research and we came across a Mexican restaurant. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0I politely turned around and exited while cursing the hostess in my head. \u00a0Justin spotted a Corner Bakery (the same one we ate lunch at last spring break actually) and I agreed. \u00a0On the way, another restaurant Hamilton caught our eye. \u00a0It didn&#8217;t look busy so I went in to check it out&#8230;.the wait was an hour. \u00a0Corner Bakery it was! \u00a0I start ordering only to find out they are out of pasta! \u00a0No pasta meant no Mac and Cheese for Harper and no plain pasta for Avery. \u00a0Bagels I asked, in which the response was no:(. \u00a0So we left. \u00a0Justin wanted to go home or get something in Arlington and I knew we would just be sitting in traffic so that option also wasn&#8217;t a very good one. \u00a0Again I turned to my phone and found a Pot Belly&#8217;s. \u00a0We headed there&#8230;..it closed at 7:00&#8230;we made it in at 6:45! \u00a0We 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. \u00a0The good news is that he is long over it and I&#8217;m sure will laugh when he reads this&#8230;at least I hope so!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last year Justin and I took off 1 1\/2 days during the girls spring break. \u00a0One day we went to DC and the other afternoon we went bowling. \u00a0We had a great time so we decided to do the same &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/?p=3571\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[56,94],"class_list":["post-3571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-d-c","tag-spring-break"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3571"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3571\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themaddlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}