Washington DC - 4 museums in 5 hours!

We had a great day and it went basically as planned, which is always a bonus!  We started out early and were in DC and parked by 8:30 a.m.  The plan was to park at the Ronald Reagan Building, and through advance research, I found that they had a public parking garage and a big food court on the ground level of the building. So, we arrived early and had breakfast in the food court before heading out.

We ventured out onto the National Mall and took some pics before it got too busy - there was hardly anyone around and it was great!So....

Stop #1 - National Mall Pics

Don's sister "Aunt Chrissy" came with us!

It was 9:30ish and we headed towards the Archives....got there and sat to think about our plan - we had 10:30 timed visit tickets to get in - good thing because at 9:30 the line to enter was down and around the block!

gotta love Technology - phones were good time wasters.

my theme for the day - we had a mission to accomplish - would we be able to do it?

we wandered over towards the Natural History museum and snapped a pic

We decided to head to the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, but it didn't open till 10 either. Well, the nice security guard opened it almost 10 minutes early - and in we went - Ahead of Schedule!!

Stop #2 National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

the Archives in the distance - opening soon!

Carleigh trying to pose like the rabbit

taken very seriously until...

they were determined to sit on the works of art, but they were all wet...

Katie collects erasers.....

We walked around the Sculpture Garden and then headed back to the National Archives - with a mission to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Our tickets were for 10:30 - we got there at 10:10 and asked where to wait, the next nice security guard let us in early and also let Chrissy come in with us (even though she didn't have a ticket) - again AHEAD of SCHEDULE!!

Stop #3 - the National Archives

No pictures allowed inside, so this is it! We spent about 30 minutes inside and saw the three documents - very cool! Then we headed across the mall to the Hirshhorn.

Stop #4 Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden

our turn to pose

 Stop #5 Hirshhorn Museum

We had heard about this exhibit from Facebook and it was a lot of fun!

The exhibit at the Hirshhorn was fun, but a little different. Lots of playing with color and light, but because it was hands on, it didn't feel like it belonged in the museum.

After that, we headed down to the International Gallery - to see the Math Alive Exhibit

Stop #6 - S. Dillon Ripley Center - International Gallery

Katie pedaling to calculate distance

The girls standing in front of a screen and being pixelated.

The video was done with 20 different cameras to get a 360 degree movie, Katie is not moving.The video is made in the exhibit, and then they email it to you.

 Stop #7 - Picnic Lunch before the last museum

 We decided to stop and get hot dogs from a vendor before going into American History.

 After lunch, everyone was about done and a bit tired. We headed over the American History and were there for only about 45 minutes and then back to the car.

Stop #8 National Museum of American History 

the only inside picture and blurry - it's time to head home!

 While inside, we saw the Star Spangled Banner exhibit, the First Ladies gowns and the three different gift shops. So much more to see, but the girls were getting grumpy and pushing on would have been pointless at this point.  They were no longer going to appreciate anything else.

We left the museum and headed the block back to the Reagan building and found the car - got out of DC without any issues and we were home by 3:45. Mission Accomplished!

What was our mission you may ask? Really there were only two stops that the girls had requested...1-the three documents at the Archives and 2- the original flag - Star Spangled Banner. The rest just sort of happened. So we got a taste of a lot of different things in a short time and had a fun day in DC.

It's nice to take the time and appreciate how close we really live to these museums and our Nation's Capital.

So...spring break is officially over, now it's just a weekend and we return to school.  Only 9 weeks until summer and all of the adventures that lay ahead. Planning is in full swing and the countdowns have begun! 

Stay Tuned..... for the last quarter of school and summer plans!

Spring Break Eve and.....I'm DONE!

I am DONE! It is definitely time for a break from the craziness....but, then I think what craziness?  We haven't had any snow days, we haven't had any crazy adventures or travels....so why am I so tired and cranky and need a vacation?  Well, my last post was February 20th, and I haven't had any time to post since then, so something must have been going on that is making me so tired and grumpy....let's see if we can figure this out......

I think I found the culprit....and if he weren't so darned cute!

He is so cute, but so bad right now...8 1/2 months and a ball of energy.  I love my husband so much for not complaining and keeping him exercised so that he doesn't destroy the house.  I think I might complain enough for the both of us.  When he is settled, he is wonderful!! He's had his vet appt. and is ready for Doggie Daycare. Guess where he is going for one day of Spring Break? Yep.....Doggie Daycare baby!! That's the day that Don gets a break and I can clean the house from top to bottom!

My beautiful oldest daughter also turned 12 last week - it's so hard to believe that she is really almost a teenager.....

Patty had fun playing with Lily!

Lily is holding her own and is also very tired!

Do I look tired? :)

 

Don also acquired some old/empty picture frames at a local yard sale and experimented with a photo idea that he saw in a book:

 Annie came and went - Carleigh had a blast and did a fantastic job as orphan Duffy!

Her headshot from Annie

She had a blast and can't wait for next year - it was a busy time, but lots of fun!! I sort of miss it too. It was fun being a mom and mingling with other moms.

Plus....the Annie atmosphere at the middle school was a happy place.

Everyone was excited, the energy was high and there was no negativity! Could that be my problem....I was surrounded by joy and happiness, excitement and positive energy for so long and now it's back to the grind?  I just may have found the answer.....what do people say, "if you surround yourself with happy people....." or "find a way to make your own joy!"

So, in blogging and trying to catch up from the last month, I have found the answer! I need to find a happy place again! I need to make my own joy and not wait for others to include me in theirs! And.....that is what Spring Break is for!

A look ahead to next week:
Saturday - family birthday party and the girls head to the grandparents to come home on Tuesday
Sunday - Date day with the husband - can't wait! Dinner and a movie, yes....the dogs are still here.
Monday - Power clean with no crazy dog - Junior is introduced to Doggie Daycare for the day.
Thursday - Washington DC for the day with the girls. National Archives, American History Museum, New exhibit at the International Gallery

I plan on reading a novel or two and working on my tan.....and finding my relaxed, happiness again. I am also excited about continuing to plan our summer adventures!

I am actually looking forward to the last quarter of school, I just need a break. I have lots of fun things planned for my classroom during those last 9 weeks.

So stay tuned.....will I find joy and fun? What will Spring Break hold for the Rahns?