Last days in DC

Just a quick blog to finish out our DC trip: On Saturday, we actually got up and going and down to DC in time to buy tickets for the long-anticipated (by Caleb, anyway) International Spy Museum. These weren’t cheap either: $18 for Mike and $16 each for Josh and Caleb, but if you think we were going to let this opportunity pass us by… Besides, we know Caleb has a looooong memory, and he may be involved in choosing which nursing home we’ll get stuck in someday. So, we called it a retirement investment, of sorts. After securing aforementioned precious tickets we walked the five blocks or so towards the White House where we were to meet Josh’s birthmom, Colbie. It was pretty darn chilly, and after passing a McD***lds, I steered my family right in and up to the counter to buy some hot chocolate (let me note that I detest all items sold by that particular establishment, unless I have just run 22 miles and want to eat the greasiest thing possible, or am hankering for hot chocolate, which is actually pretty decent). The lady at the counter gave me a bizarre look and informed me that they don’t HAVE hot chocolate. What? I thought their menus were constant, unchanging, an oasis of permanence amidst a sea of change? Or I guess that would be DESERT of change – oases don’t usually occur in seas. Whatever. We did pass a Starbucks-type joint, but I was too cheap to fork over $5/cup for 6 people so we stopped at a little kiosk outside the White House Visitors’ Center. Best buck-fifty hot chocolate I’ve had. Better, even, than McD***lds.

Anyway, Colbie had scored us some tickets to tour the White House gardens, and it was interesting to see the trees that past presidents had planted. Some of the later ones had photos of the pres and first lady poised over shovels, attempting to look like they were actually going to do some digging. I didn’t buy it, I mean the first ladies had on heels and pant suits, and they were gold plated shovels, for crying out loud. After the tour (which had some pretty intense security, as you might imagine) we headed toward Colbie’s apartment, where she had lunch planned for us. I am unable, especially here in a “public” place, to express the respect and love I have for this amazing woman. I sat here for a while just trying to put a sentence together about how grateful I am for her and the role she has played in our lives, and I just can’t find the words. I hope she knows what she means to all of us. She truly is family, and I can’t say anything to top that.

After lunch, Mike, Josh, Caleb, and Colbie went to the spy museum, while Jason, Esther and I headed across the street to the Smithsonian’s American Art and Portrait Gallery. It was basically a B plan for me, as I didn’t really want to go to the spy museum (especially not for 18 bucks) and I knew Esther would sleep in her stroller, and it was just right there. Wow. I spent nearly 3 hours there and I could easily have spent another 3 and not been satisfied. I don’t consider myself an art critic, I didn’t really study it much other than a few classes in college, but I have to say I found my favorite place in DC. There were fantastic portraits of well known Americans, as well as some bronze statues (mostly just the heads) that seemed so close to having some kind of living consciousness. It was amazing to be surrounded by people who have played such an enormous role in our history, and I was almost humbled to be in their presence. And that was only one floor. Jason gamely tried to keep up but after a half an hour he found a nice padded bench and took a nap. Oh well. I thoroughly enjoyed it and only regret that I only saw half. I was so sad when the spy-er’s came to get me, and I can’t wait to go back to finish that museum someday. Sigh.

We reluctantly parted from Colbie and returned a little early to start dinner and the big pack-up. We were able to share dessert with Grandma and Grandpa, and then it was bed. G & G invited the kids to come over in the morning for breakfast after getting ready and that was so helpful in getting them somewhere where they couldn’t unpack as we packed. We managed to get out the door by 9:30, catch the train to the bus, which took us to the airport, and made it with time to spare. The only scary part was arriving at the metro station/bus stop and Mike realizing that he was not going to make it through the half hour bus ride without some sort of bathroom stop, but alas, the metro’s restroom was not functioning and there was nowhere else to go. He was desperate (and by now Caleb and Jason had to go too) so they finally had a taxi take them to somewhere. $11 later, they returned refreshed and emptied and we were off.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and we are so glad we were able to spend some time with loved ones there. It was an “AWESOME” trip, and the kids were great.