Spring Break in DC

We are enjoying Spring Break this week. Last Friday we drove to Washington DC for the weekend. It was a good trip if a bit rushed. There is just so much to do there, we were barely able to visit the major spots. On the first day, we visited the Washington and Lincoln Monuments and got a glimpse of the White House. Then briefly went to the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Air & Space. I wish we had had more time to explore both these.

The second day we drove to Mt. Vernon to visit George Washington’s Estate. This was a very enjoyable experience. It is in a beautiful setting and very well preserved. They have done a very good job with the Educational Center and Museum. You cannot help but leave there with a renewed sense of patriotism.

On Monday, we went back downtown DC with the intention of visiting the International Spy Museum and Arlington Cemetery before starting our trip back, but were only able to visit the Spy Museum. We will have to visit Arlington Cemetery next time we go.

Our oldest daughter really enjoyed the whole thing. She has been studying American History at school and loved seeing all the monuments etc. A trip like this however is not for very young children. Natalie was not so interested, and would get bored soon and complained none-stop about all the walking she had to do. Joel and I ended up having to carry her most of the time and this really tested our physical fitness (rather lack of). All she kept saying was how she did not want to be in Washington DC and wanted to go back to “Hilton” so she could play in the pool. Still she had some fun moments. We were blessed with good weather the whole time there and made it back safely at home last night.

Poor Joel is back to work but I get to stay home the rest of the week with the girls and plan something fun to do each day. This morning we were able to sleep in and then went to see Horton Hears a Who at the movies. There is no plan as to what we will do tomorrow yet but I am sure we will come up with something great!

Update 3/19/08:

We went to Craig's Cruisers in Grand Rapids on Thursday afternoon. That was a lot of fun! They have a huge arcade floor, indoor go carts, bumper cars, laser tag. It was the girls and I first time playing Laser Tag. It was surprisingly fun! Our team lost but now that we have a better idea of how to play next time we will do better. This would be a fun place to go during the summer with all the cousins. They have an outside area also with bumper boats, another Go Carts Track, Mini Golf, and other things.