Lions, Tigers and Bears in D.C.

Our second day in D.C., Wim and the big kids headed back to the National Mall Area

to visit some more museums while the girls and I headed to the National Zoo.

It is a much bigger zoo than the one we usually go to near our home.

There were lots of outside exhibits as well as several large buildings with exhibits inside.

Inside the Small Mammal building,

this cute little Meercat seemed to be playing with Josie and Clara Rose.

There were Gibbons in an outside area.

Josie Checking her height to that of a Gibbon. 

The large cat area-- a Bengal Tiger in the background getting a nice long drink of water.

Clara Rose thought it was a little stinky. 

Some kind of bear in the background--

It was hard for me to really read names of the animals.

The girls were pretty happy, excited, and all over the place so

I had my hands full keeping tabs on them!

The Asian Elephant Section. 

Nothing better at the zoo than a whole area

dedicated to Poop! 

Clara Rose is centrifuging poop while

Josie reads the directions and bosses instructs her. 

There was also a Bird House with an open air section inside that was

accessible both on the lower and upper floor.

After the whole butterfly thing, I wasn't too sure, but we went in and guess what . . .

Birds aren't bugs so apparently they are OK

to being flying around one's head.

The girls with a Tucon behind them.

They are also holding their vacation souvenirs--

Clara chose a baby seal (we saw a show at the zoo as well)

and Josie found a Red Panda. 

Then we wandered upon this guy (or girl).

No, this was not part of the open air area.

It is a Cassowary and what a sight! 

We got a big kick out of him!

Josie tried to get a picture but

by the time I snapped the picture all we got

was a few tail feathers behind Josie. 

Next up an Emu.

She was more than happy to

pose for a picture! 

The reptile house was interesting--

There is an alligator in the background. 

It was also creepy-- they had a very large Anaconda.

There was also A Komodo Dragon! 

You can't really see him in the shot with the girls,

but he is quite huge-- bigger than Josie!

We had a fun day at the zoo checking out so many neat new animals.

Back in our little home away from home, the girls and I settled in

with some snacks, a few crafts and chilled out for the night. 

Fore Score and 7+ Days Ago

The entire family took several days this past April Vacation and headed southward to

our Nation's Capital!

It was not a relaxing trip by any means. 

We all drove down in the minivan--

all Six of us!

It was about 7 hours driving with a long break at a park in between.

Once we settled-in to our garden-style apartment,

we ventured out to make sure we could find our Metro station

for adventures the next day.

Along the way we happened upon a school playground that was lot of fun! 

Josie and Clara Rose were ecstatic to play and let off some

cooped-up steam!

I was just as ecstatic! 

The first day we ventured into Downtown D.C.

and started with the Smithsonian's National Natural History Museum.

I was sure this would be a big hit with the girls!

We went into an open air butterfly pavillion--

Lots of lovely butterflies flying all around.

Josie immediately began screaming--

she didn't want any of those flying bugs around here!

Wim ran her out really quick and Clara Rose and I checked out

the "pretty bugs."

The girls went to the Mummy room next to which Clara Rose exclaimed,

"Whoa! They are really REALLY dead!"

"Take a picture Mommy!"

Josie exclaimed, "Noooo Mommy!  I want out of here!"

The Mummy section was cut short.

Next we headed off to the other rooms in the museum.

At this point I am wondering how this museum is going to go with Josie.

We are zero for two at this point and I am feeling really glad that entrance is free!

We ended up in the prehistoric section and Wim met-up with the big kids and took off to do bigger kid exploring.

Josie liked this section a bit better,

but wasn't too sure about all the bones and skeletons.

Clara Rose loved it and

took to making monster faces and

roaring randomly at Josie, me, and people in general. 

The Ice Age section--

A Sabertooth Tiger in the background.

I forgot what the other skeleton is. 

Josie and Clara Rose on the 2nd Floor with a Right Whale

hanging from the ceiling in the background. 

The "Fancy Rock" room.

The girls LOVED this room.

Loads upon Loads of Minerals and

as they called them

"Pretty Sparkly Rocks." 

We spent a solid 4 hours at this museum and then

headed out to walk some of the National Mall and

meet up with Wim and the big kids. 

They liked seeing the Lincoln Monument--

He's the President on the Penny!

It was a nice day for walking-- warm but overcast.

It was a great very full first day in Washington D.C. 

Easter Sunday

Easter Morning the girls woke up excited that

the Easter Bunny had hopped her way

into our house during the night--

leaving goodies for them to find!

A new lovey-lamb for Clara Rose! 

Mmmm, cotton candy and chocolate eggs!

The breakfast of CHAMPIONS!!! 

It didn't take the girls long to get dressed-- or, uh,

Throw their boots on over their PJ's

and head out to the yard to find their eggs! 

The hunt is on! 

Eggs everywhere! 

Back inside, the girls each had

one "real" egg for breakfast! 

Looking at the eggs, we realized we were

missing three of the eggs we made . . . 

Guess who got a special Easter Breakfast! 

This is the best doggie Easter EVER!

After finding all our treats,

everyone got dressed for church and

a few more pictures. 

Even the big kids! 

The Hunger Games Egg Hunt

Saturday the Girls and I went to an Easter Egg Hunt at our

local YMCA.

It was a nice warmish- sunny day!

Clara Rose with a "not real" Easter Bunny. 

After snacking on hot dogs and chips and visiting

with the Man-sized "not the real Easter Bunny,"

We wandered over to where the egg hunt was to be held for their age group.

It was a fenced in play area with pretty little plastic eggs scattered

everywhere that you could see.

Hmmm, lets throw a bunch of 5-7 year olds into a 'cage'

filled with candy laden plastic eggs and see what happens.

Great Idea!

There go the girls--into the swarm of kids being admitted into the pit.

I almost shed a tear as I cried out to them,

"May the odds be forever on your side!"

A couple adults around me laughed.

The kids were directed to face the fence until the

hunt started-- so nobody would have an unfair advantage??

That's my girl--

Completely disregarding the instructions and getting

an eye full of where the eggs are located! 

They are off! 

It was a frenzy to say the least-- and over in less than 5-minutes! 

They made it out alive . . .

with plenty of candy filled eggs to satisfy

their quest to WIN! 

Next we were off to the craft and face painting arenas.

Josie chose a heart for her hand. 

She was munching on a piece of her hard earned candy.

Clara Rose was feeling the spirit of the season

and requested a bunny face.

We spent the rest of the afternoon asking where Clara Rose went

and where this cute little bunny came from.

We next played at the playground next to where the egg hunt party was located.

No wonder she did so well in the egg hunt!

Clara Rose is one little trooper! 

It was a fun day with lots of play! 

We finished off the night setting out our eggs

and 'Duckets' for the REAL Easter Bunny.