Walking the Memorials of Washington, D.C. -- with Kids

We arrived in Washington, D.C., on a Saturday evening. If it were just Paul and me, I would have dragged him around to see the monuments at night. But since we had a 10- and 8-year-old with us, we walked 20 minutes to the National Mall to see the Washington Monument lit up in one direction and the Capitol in the other, then returned to our hotel.

Sunday was Easter, and we had special plans -- 10 a.m. tickets to the top of the Washington Monument. We were out the door around 8:30 to take a few photos at the White House first, and then off we went.

The Washington Monument tickets were difficult to get -- free, but released a month in advance and gone in minutes. I was lucky to snag four. It ended up being a highlight of the trip. It was a clear, bright, sunny morning, and the views were magnificent.

We were on our feet for eight hours that day, touring the series of memorials and monuments around the Reflecting Pool and Tidal Basin. In order: Washington, World War II, Vietnam, Lincoln, Korean, MLK, FDR and Jefferson.

My purse was full of snacks, which kept the kids from grumbling too much. (Atticus just constantly asked for food! Edith demurred, got hangry and then was instantly in a better mood after a snack.) The whole DIY tour took about four hours from hotel to the Jefferson Memorial, with the Washington Monument taking about an hour alone.

We ate at one of the many food trucks near the Mall -- a far cry from the puny hot dog stands I remember from a trip to D.C. as a kid. Then it was off to the National Archives, where we saw the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and even the Magna Carta.

It was a day full of history -- perfect for a fourth- and second-grader. Next week: The museums.

A Cold Day at Rehoboth Beach

Last week was spring break for the kiddos, and we took full advantage of it by driving east! We first spent a day at Rehoboth Beach, Del., followed by three days in Washington, D.C.

A beach trip is often on the calendar for spring breakers, but not one like this. It was COLD when we arrived around 5 p.m. on a Friday afternoon -- around 50 degrees, I think, and certainly chilly enough to wear a hoodie under my winter coat. Our hotel included a small balcony that we unfortunately never got to use. Luckily the hotel's pool was indoors, so the kids took full advantage. Of course there was no beach swimming in that weather!

That evening we took a quick look at the boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean before ordering a pizza. The next morning wasn't any warmer, but at least it was sunny. We walked along the beach with the kids darting to and from the foam and water, collecting shells. They each picked out a gummy snack from Candy Kitchen, and Paul got a big box of taffy. There were plenty of people around but it certainly wasn't crowded -- I can only imagine what it must be like in the middle of summer!

All in all, it was my perfect beach day -- all the sights with none of the swimming.

We left Rehoboth proper around 11:30 a.m. and drove to the Dogfish Head brewing and tasting room a half hour down the road in Milton. We sampled some brew while waiting for the 1 p.m. tour. Lunch there afterward was delicious; I ordered one of the best veggie burgers ever. Bought some drinks to take home before we left.

Next week: Washington, D.C.!

Atticus Turns 8!

Our bright and bubbly boy who loves silly jokes and crazy facts turned 8 this weekend! He celebrated with a few friends at the playground last Wednesday when classes were canceled for the day, and again with family on Sunday.

He's a little chatterbox who often needs to be reminded at school to stop talking to his friends. (Just like his mama used to be!) He loves recess and Boy Scouts and chess, and he can name every penguin fact known to man.

Legos are probably his favorite indoor toy, not counting the video game system that has all of the old classic Nintendo games. His birthday cake was shaped like Kirby, and nowadays he's trying to defeat StarTropics. He has bonded with his dad by reading Paul's old Nintendo Power magazines from when he was a boy.

He's quick to smile and laugh, and loves to make others do the same. Here's hoping he does so for many years to come!