Places to Go - Azaleas at the National Arboretum (Washington DC)

Sometimes I think I should use this blog to promote myself more, become a real photographer with a website and client specials, rather than rely on word of mouth. But the trouble is that sometimes really fun stuff happens around noon on a sunny day. Stuff you want to record and remember.

Last week, one of my best friends came to town with her absolute gorgeous 18 month old daughter. After a cloudy morning (photographers LOVE mid-day clouds), we decided to head to the National Arboretum to check out the azalea gardens (which are amazing this time of year). And then the sun came out. Everywhere. Causing bright, dappled, awful light to fill my camera. Plus, we had to bring the dog with, as she's destroyed half-my house lately and I'm scared to leave her alone (the problem with adopting a 5 year old boxer? crazy dog anxiety). So I tried to take pictures of a toddler and preschooler while having a 55 pound boxer drag me around.

Basically, bright noon light + crazy leashed dog + a green color cast everywhere = crappy pictures. These are the only salvageable shots (so sorry for the lack of actual flower pictures). But, for better or worse, this isn't a photography blog (I'm much more random than that). And this was a wonderful moment with three of my favorite people - we saw multiple frogs, and listened to them croak (a sound that fascinated all - ages 18 months to 37 years). Plus, I love to post on places to go and in spring, once the cherry blossoms are gone, there are few sights in the area that are this beautiful.

So hurry up and check out the azaleas. Meander through the flowers. Feel the beauty of nature. Hopefully take pictures better than mine. But go soon, due to the sequester, beginning next week, the National Arboretum will be CLOSING ITS GROUNDS TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. So no more weekday picnics and awesomeness. In addition, the National Arb will reinstate recovery of user fees (janitorial, security, staffing) and space rental charges for use of space by outside organizations in the recently renovated Administration and Visitor Services Building and in selected gardens.



Frogs! Who doesn't love frogs?

Places to Go - The National Arboretum's Nature Playspace in the Washington Youth Garden (Washington DC)

A few weekends ago, when temperatures climbed into the high 60s/low 70s, we headed over to the National Arboretum for some family bonding time in the great outdoors (not sure if an arboretum really classifies as the "great outdoors" but I'm going with it). Usually, even on weekends, the Arb is not very crowded, but this time people were everywhere. Luckily, the Arb can really handle crowds (it contains over 400 acres). Plus, I enjoyed watching bike riding families circle the road, while picnicking couples took over the meadows and open spaces.

Anyways, after we strolled through Fern Valley, we decided to cross the street and check out the Washington Youth Garden, which we haven't visited in years (click here to see pictures from our last visit). The garden now houses a Nature Playspace, which is nothing short of "AWESOME!!". The playspace includes: two nature "pianos", a stage (T had a blast), "memory blocks", a dirt area (all three kids avoided this), and a wonderful walking course - full of wiggly planks and tree stumps (even I couldn't stop playing on it). Plus, the area also has tons of spaces for digging and exploring. We ended up staying over an hour. Such a great little "hidden treasure" for kids of all ages, I highly suggest a visit. Click here for more information.



Even I loved walking the planks. Round and round.



T loved carrying these around. He incorporated them in odd ways into his "performance".

Places to Go - The National Arboretum - The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum (Washington DC)

As I mentioned yesterday, a few weeks ago the kids and I spent the day at the National Arboretum, where we visited the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. In the past, I've avoided this part of the arboretum, as I equate bonsai with sculpture and T often wants to touch (ruin, destroy) sculptures. But I was feeling brave, so we gave the museum a try and none of us were disappointed. P ran in and immediately started yelling "mom, come quick, it's beautiful in here. everything is so so beautiful." T seemed enthralled as he walked back and forth over a tiny stone bridge (also the ropes succeeded in keeping him away from the bonsai, though he did want to pull/jump/attack the ropes themselves). And F just kept staring at everything, asking "how did they make the trees look like that?" It's all a little breathtaking.

The gardens are divided into three sections - (1) the Chinese Pavilion, (2) the Japanese Stroll Garden, and (3) the Yamaguchi Garden (featuring a variety of plants native to North America). Since two of our good friends just moved to China the kids really enjoyed seeing the Chinese gardens and talking about how we'd have to send Jim and Val pictures so they'd now know they didn't have to "travel so far to see pretty things."

The National Arboretum is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. The bonsai collection is stroller accessible and right next to the koi garden (which kids love). For more information click here to enter the Arboretum's website.

Places to Go - The National Arboretum - Fern Valley (Washington DC)

About a month ago, Not-So-SAHM posted on taking her kids to National Arboretum's Fern Valley and I immediately NEEDED to go there. We've been to Fern Valley before (click here for our previous post) but not for quite some time and spring seemed the perfect time to return. So when F had a day off school, we headed into the city.

Outdoor adventures with my kids are always unpredictable, some days they run and explore, taking in every detail; whereas other days everything beautiful seems to bore them. Luckily, this day all of us were on the same page. The kids immediately picked up sticks and headed for the small creek - "fishing" in its waters and searching for treasures (T can spend hours drawing in mud with a stick). From there on out they ran and ran, stopping every once in awhile to play ring around the rosie with T. Now that F can read all the signs, she couldn't wait to inform us about the different plants. There weren't even any fights or squabbles. Like magic.

Then F had to go to the bathroom . . . so from here we headed to the Bonsai Gardens (more on the Bonsai tomorrow).

If you're interested, the National Arboretum is free and open from 8 am to 5pm every day of the week. The total acreage is large (bigger than NYC's Central Park) so I suggest budgeting a few days if you want to see the whole thing. Some parts are more stroller friendly than others. Fern Valley's dirt paths are bumpy and there are stairs, but alternate paths around the stairs are available. Click here for more information.



The knobby knees are pretty fascinating. They almost make me want to start looking for warlocks and fairies, as if everything is not quite real.



The kids are addicted to the song Dynamite, thus we keep throwing our hands in the air.

Things to Do - A Meadow Full of Dandelions

As I wrote about on Wednesday, last week a friend and I took our kids to the National Arboretum. All four girls spent most of the morning running through a meadow of dandelions. In some spots the grass was high enough that we would lose track of the kids when they sat down. After popping up the kids would bring us bouquets full of flowers. A beautiful way to spend a morning.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!

WEEKEND LINKS:

*If you have a kid that loves trucks, this local event looks like a blast.

*8 Ideas to Spruce Up Your Space (now, I just need to take the time and actually follow the advice)

*Lovely photos of evening. Just lovely.

*A cardboard box birthday party, much more impressive than it sounds. Check out the awesome car and airplane (link via a subtle revelry).

*Top 5 Sites for Crafters

*I really want these jeans.

*There's something so happy about a beautiful yellow kitchen.

Places to Go - The National Arboretum (Koi Pond, Azalea Gardens, & Bonsai))

Last week we met some friends at the National Arb to check out the azalea gardens. Unfortunately, we arrived a few weeks early, as most of the blossoms were just beginning to form. But luckily the kids had a fantastic time running through the gardens, checking out the koi, and playing in the meadow (more pictures of this on Friday). They especially loved the small pond that's surrounded by azaleas, and I love the benches and great views next to the pond.

As you may have heard, due to funding shortages the arb has considered limiting the size of its extensive azalea collection. For now, the arb has put the decision on hold, but it is requesting donations and commentary - click here to share your views and here to share your money. If you've never been, the azalea gardens are truly breathtaking, especially at peak bloom times (though NOT stroller-friendly, despite the fact that many of the other gardens do accommodate strollers). We love the arb and go there often (click here for a past post on the Capitol Columns and Fern Valley).

HAPPY WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!


(The girls have started choosing their own outfits. The results have been, well, interesting. I'm trying to hang back and not say anything. "Trying" is the key word in that sentence).

Places to Go - The National Arboretum's Fern Valley, Capitol Columns, & Youth Garden (Washington D.C.)

Fern Valley

A few years ago, the National Arboretum was our go-to place for outdoor adventures. We practically lived there. Then we took a break from it for awhile (as you're likely to do with any place you spend too much time in).

On Tuesday, we went back for the first time in a few months and, yet again, I was BLOWN AWAY by how beautiful the arb is. It's truly Washington D.C.'s hidden treasure as NOBODY EVER GOES THERE. Last Tuesday, we only saw one other person on the trail (security cars routinely drive through the property, so you never feel unsafe). If you are a couple without kids, I can think of few things more romantic than an autumn walk through one of the arb's gardens.

The arb is actually bigger than NYC's Central Park, making it almost impossible to see the whole thing in one day. Luckily, the arb is divided into sections (with separate parking areas), so you can see something new on each visit. On Tuesday, we visited Fern Valley and the Capitol Columns. In the last few years, Fern Valley has had a major upgrade and there are now beautiful wooden bridges overlooking the stream as well as a large beautifully landscaped meadow connecting Fern Valley to the Capitol Columns. The stroller ride through Fern Valley can be bumpy, but it is stroller accessible (trail maps indicate which pathways have stairs).

The fountains at the Columns are under repair, but when functioning they serve as a great place to take children, who love to put their feet in the water (for better or worse). Further, the Washington Youth Garden sits across the street from Fern Valley. The Youth Garden has tons of fun stuff, including a lovely butterfly section (no butterflies in late October) and a worm composter (so we talked about compost for awhile). Plus cotton plants. All in all a great day. And it's free. What a deal.


Fern Valley's Meadow - I love when they hold hands and brush each other's hair.


The Capitol Columns We spent almost an hour alternating between lying in the grass looking at the columns and running through the fields.


The Washington Youth Garden - Cotton & butterflies. I think seeing cotton grow confused the children, as F asked "so how does that become this (pointing to her dress)?" Sadly, I barely know the answer (something about spinning wheels?), so much for living of the grid.