Aunt Day Day goes to Washington DC

In April, my mom took 2 of my nieces and me to Washington DC for a short Spring Break get-a-way. We had a blast!! We were there during the cherry blossoms just days before the National Cherry Blossom Festival. However, a cold front had come through 2 weeks before dumping snow on the area causing all the blossoms to die. A few trees bloomed late and we could enjoy them.

This is a shot of us outside on the Mall!! What a happy bunch.

The first day we were there, we hit the National Zoo.

We watched two tigers play fighting & the girls climbed on every statue in the park. The panda was too shy to be seen, but we saw lots of other animals. Too many to picture.

The next day, we booked ourselves on a tram ride that would allow us to see the highlights of the city & jump off and on along the way. We jumped on at the Science and Air Museum & rode it along a loop to see The Washington Monument. We didn't get to go up inside b/c tickets sold out by 8 AM each morning. We weren't willing to get in line with 2 children by 7 AM. I'd rather wait in line at Cedar Point.

We saw the Jefferson Monument, Lincoln Monument, Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial, the White House, the Capital Building, the United States Postal Museum, Arlington Cemetery & the changing of the guard ceremony (which I have to say was less exciting than I had always imagined.)

I was about 6 weeks pregnant at this point and just starting to experience the sickness that would become my "closest friend" over the next couple months. Keep in mind that I have not thrown up since I was 12 years old. I don't even remember what it feels like to have to. However, by 4 PM in the afternoon and about 8 miles of walking, my body was starting to rebel. We were on a hot, stuffy tram full of people winding through the roads of Arlington Cemetery and I was praying hard that the Lord would not let me barf on the people all around me. Ellie was so precious. She was sitting next to me on the tram and could tell I wasn't doing very well. I have never seen so much compassion in a child's eyes. She looked at me and said, "Aunt Dacian, you going to be okay??" It made my heart swell. I came through it okay, but we made our way back to the room very quickly!
My "favorite" part was sharing a bed with my neices! They kept kneeing me all night or sticking their boney bottom into my side. We learned that Ellie likes to talk in her sleep sometimes. Needless to say, it wasn't the best sleep I've had in my life, but some great bonding time!

The next day we spent the morning at the National Air & Space Museum. We taught the girls a little bit about early flight & the history of space exploration. Then we walked across the Mall to the History of Natural Science. Ellie loved the dinosaur bones. Mom got excited about the iris flowers growing in a special exhibit. We got to see a 128 K Diamond from the Tiffany Collection! WOW! It was huge.

We took the subway lot. The girls learned how to read the subway map and know what color & direction to pick to get to certian spots. Well, we taught them. I don't know how well they actually picked it up.

The last day we woke early & rode the subway back to the airport. Mom's status as Platinum Medallion gave us 5 star treatment! Crowne Room waiting area & first through security & on the plain. We had so much fun. I'm sure the girls will remember it for a life time. I loved being able to spend time with 2 of my neices I just don't get to see enough.

Haily, Ellie- I love you gals and I hope you had as much fun and I did. Mom- Thanks for making it all possible. (Or should I be thanking Delta for the skymiles???) heehee. Seriously, great idea. Next time we'll have to find a way to take Duane with us.