Smithsonian Museums + the National Building Muesums

We went to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.  There was an "oooh" and "ahhh" factor when we first got there, but I think little guy may be a little too young to really get into it like we thought he would.   Seemed like the part he liked the best was where he got to interact with the airplanes (sit in a cockpit & steer) or hang out in the interactive children's area.  They actually have some really cool hands-on science experiments with deflection using water and air movement.  

Later that evening, we went to the city at night to see some of the monuments that we weren't able to see while walking the mall the day before. Alghough dark, we saw the Vietnam Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. DC is really quite busy at night, as there were hundreds of people on the steps of Lincoln's Memorial. 

We spent the next day at Smithsonian's Natural History Museum.  He did enjoy the big animals, however, he raced through the entire museum not wanting to stop and see or learn about anything.  In 4 or 5 years, I can imagine he will be SO into this place!  They have an interactive children's area too.  There were some activities for kids his age, but it seemed that the majority of the activities are meant for a little bit older crowd.  

Look closely... little guy grew moose-ears!

The good thing:  both museums were free to get into.  (What's expensive, however, is grabbing lunch in the museum.)  The next day, we paid to go to a museum even though there's not as much to see.  

We spent the entire day at the National Building Museum.  I popped into this museum several years ago on a work trip, but Todd's never been.  They have exhibits on city planning, historic Washington, construction techniques, and some travelling exhibits on various architects.  We thought this museum would be a hit, however, because of the LEGO exhibit that happened to be there while we were in the city.

Honestly, this is where Mercer spent most of his time.  Todd and I would trade off hanging out with Mercer while the other would go see an exhibit. This way, we got to see what we wanted to -- and Mercer got to play with building blocks all day!  And they also had a children's area.  There are building-related toys in the children's area, of course.  Definitely his best day at a museum.


Out of all of the great things we saw & did in the city... he said his favorite thing was riding the Metro train!  ha.  

I do have to post this story about the Metro b/c it is something that will make us laugh in years to come as we re-read this:  so, Mercer is still learning about "timing" of going to the bathroom -- he's had several "close calls."  We were on our last train ride heading back to Jim & Becki's house.... and all of a sudden he starts to yell "the poop is coming!  the poop is coming!"  As soon as we hit the next stop, we jump off the train and start running down the platform... then up the escalator... and onto to the ticket counter.  The entire time, Mercer is yelling "the poop is coming."  The guy at the ticket counter lets us out and he starts running towards the entrance to the Metro station.  He unlocks a door and Mercer makes it... just in time!  (whew)  

Rose Marie had taken the train from NY to DC the night before. Todd's cousin, Tina, picked her up and hung out all day while we were at the museum.  Todd's sister was sort-of passing through (about 80 miles out of the way) after having taken her daughter Tara to college orientation... so they stopped over too.  Friday evening was spent hanging out with the family (and looking out the window at the "micro-burst" storm that was dropping trees and tree limbs all around the house).

It was a busy vacation.  It was not our relaxing trip to the beach, but we did get to see a lot of family between North Carolina and Maryland:  3 grandmas, 1 grandpa, 1 great-grandma, 1 great-grandpa, aunts, cousins, and an uncle.  We were glad we made the trip!