Places to Go - Christmas in Washington D.C. - Trains at the Botanic Gardens & "Wondering" through Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery of Art

WONDER

I'm probably the last DC blogger to post on this, but F, T, and I FINALLY made it to the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery to check out Wonder and we all were in complete awe. T literally gasped each time we entered a room, then exclaimed, "wow, look at this!" Let's keep in mind that T is 6. And a boy. And he didn't want to leave an ART MUSEUM. That alone is crazy impressive.

The FREE!! exhibit runs through July and is (literally) amazing. Click here for more info.





Bugs = Art, T was enthralled.









After the exhibit, we ran into a demonstration about the persecution of Ethiopia's Oromo people. Sad stuff, but also great to be in a city where you can educate yourself about the world's problems just by walking down the street.
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TRAINS AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Last week, the kids had an early release day from school, so I decided to take seven children to the Botanic Gardens to check out this year's seasonal train exhibit. I like to think that I'm capable of great feats, but seven children might have been overplaying my hand. Oh well, each and every child loved the trains and had fun collecting the scavenger hunt stamps located throughout the building. Perhaps a little too much fun as they ran from room to room. But oh well, its hard to stay home when this crazy warm weather begs one to explore.

How about everyone else? How have you been holiday-ing lately?

Places to Go - Lighthouses and Trains at the US Botanic Gardens (Washington D.C.)

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Just a quick reminder that the US Botanical Gardens has their annual train display up (we went a few weeks ago, back when I could still walk). This year's theme is lighthouses and they've (as always) made a really beautiful exhibit. The gardens are open from 10-5 every day (including Christmas), click here to learn more.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

Places to Go - Checking out Holiday Trains and Learning about the World's Fair at the US Botanic Garden (Washington DC)

Last week, after preschool, T and I met up with some friends to check out the US Botanic Garden's annual train display. This year the exhibit spotlighted past World Fairs and we had a blast learn-exploring (who knew that the TV debuted in 1939 at the New York World's Fair?). The kids watched the trains for over 20 minutes, waiting for Thomas and waving as he sped by.

For extra fun this year, the exhibit also includes a passport scavenger hunt, where you can search through the rest of the gardens looking for plants made famous at World's Fairs.

If you want to check out the trains, the exhibit is FREE and open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (though beware, on weekends lines can snake around the building, so if you can arrange it, try to visit on a weekday). Also, during December, the gardens offer free concerts on Tuesday and Thursday nights, click here for additional info.



Who doesn't love a ferris wheel? Especially when Thomas the Train drives past?



After the trains, we explored the jungle for a little bit. Wait, did I say explored? Scratch that. I meant "ran through the canopy crazy fast."



We also picnicked outside because if you have the opportunity to dine next to a moose, you don't ever pass it up.

Places to Go - Out and About Summer 2013, Part II - Local Wanderings

1. Claude Moore Colonial Farm's Summer Market Fair (McLean, VA) - We barely ever miss one of these. The shade keeps the heat from overwhelming.



2. US Botanical Gardens (Washington DC) - Did anyone really doubt that we'd be outside waiting for the gardens to open so we could see (and smell) the world's stinkiest flower at full bloom? Unfortunately, we still missed the stench (I guess the odor doesn't last very long).



Luckily, even without the odor of a dead elephant to brighten our visit, the botanical gardens are always a good time.



3. Mt. Vernon (Alexandria, VA) - T and I spent a ton of time here while the girls attended farm camp. Coco attempted to befriend the sheep (Mt. Vernon allows leashed dogs to visit, which is pretty awesome).



During the summer, Mt. Vernon offers 45 minutes sightseeing cruises from its dock for only $10 ($6 for children 6-12). Click here for times and additional information.



4. Adventure Park, USA (New Market, MD) - Sort of like Chuck E. Cheese meets the County Fair. The kids loved it. And unlimited laser tag is pretty awesome, even when only 4 people play. Click here for more information. (We went because of a Living Social deal, hopefully they'll offer more of these).



P missed the roller coaster cut-off by less than an inch. They're picky like that.



5. George Washington's Gristmill and Distillery(Alexandria, VA) - The whiskey tour bored T, but the water wheel enchanted him. "When can we go back, mom? When? Can they turn it on for longer next time?" The tour is free with paid admission to Mt. Vernon. Click here for more info.

Places to Go - United States Botanic Garden (Washington D.C)

Two weekends ago one of my best friends came to town, with her adorable baby and wonderful husband. We spent an afternoon at the United States Botanic Garden - watching the kids run outside, visiting deserts and hawaii inside the conservatory, and frolicking in the kids' garden (fountains rock!). If you've never visited the gardens are truly beautiful and very kid friendly. Plus, the American Indian museum across the street now has an entire kids' room - ImagiNATIONS - with a huge teepee, a stick house, "passport activities" and an impressive library - which entertained my children for a half hour or so.

All exhibits in both locations are FREE (as is street parking on Sundays) and stroller friendly. If you want to visit, the gardens are open from daily from 10 am to 5 pm, click here for more info. The same hours apply for the ImagiNATIONS exhibit.



Pumping the fountain was the highlight of T's week. He couldn't stop talking about it "and then the fishy went SPLASH!!!" P opted for gardening. I love the kids' garden.



Um, P "sleeping" on the blue fountains. She beats to her own drum, that's for sure.


MONDAY LINKS:

*Spike Jonze interviewing Maurice Sendak - "My books are about children, not for children particularly. Childhood is a hard story and that comes from my own experience – I did not have cruel and demented parents, I had very unhappy parents and there was a big war and there was a Holocaust. What does a kid make of that – ‘Gee, when I grow up, is that the way the world is gonna be?’ I can remember my father pulling me out of bed and dragging me down the street where people were jumping up and down shouting ‘The war is over! The war is over!’ and I remember seeing these scenes of dead people in the streets. How do we rationalise it? I think life is barbaric. So, my interest is really – how do children survive the barbarism?"

*7 Obscure Children's Books by Famous "Adult" Lit Authors - Gertrude Stein? Aldous Huxley? Who Knew?

*An interesting graph of gay rights by state. VA made me cringe.

*A new Lonny to satisfy cravings for decorating porn.

Places to Go - The US Botanical Gardens & The National Museum of the American Indian (Washington D.C.)

(The girls had a great time imagining the empty fountain into a fairy castle. And P enjoyed sniffing the sculptured flowers which were full of different spices).

On Sunday we joined some family friends in taking our kids to the Chocolate Festival at the National Museum of the American Indian. Unfortunately, once we arrived it became obvious that our kids only wanted to run. and run. and run. So we changed our plans and decided to spend the morning across the street at the US Botanical Gardens. During the winter the outdoor garden's beauty is somewhat more subduded than in the summer months, but the pathways and bridges gave the kids plenty of room to roam and explore (they also loved playing in the empty fountain). The adults grew exhausted just from watching them. For a rest break we ventured to the indoor conservatory of the gardens where the kids enjoyed the spice exhibit, talking and laughing about all the different smells emanating from gorgeous sculpted flowers. Ideally we would have ended the afternoon with lunch at Mitsitam (by far the best cafe on the National Mall, if not the best in DC itself) but the line was too long. Next time. If you're interested in a great indoor/outdoor adventure combination I highly suggest checking out the Botanical Gardens and the National Museum of the American Indian; paid street parking is usually available.