Day in D.C.

Today we checked a few more things off our "Things To Do in DC" list. Actually, we don't really have a list. We intend to go to one place, park, get sidetracked by someplace else we see and just end up rambling in and out of places until T-2 minutes of 2 year old melt down. In that case, we get out to the car put everyone in and call a mandatory quiet zone until usually 2 of 3 children fall asleep in .5 seconds and the 3rd child has no one to talk to so she just blankly stares at the scenery home fighting to stay awake. Today was no exception. We ended up at the Library of Congress in the Jefferson building. It was an incredible library with beautiful architecture and gorgeous, elaborate decor. Everything was a tribute to historical writers, printing presses or types of writings. The statures in the below pictures were representatives of the branches such as science, poetry, the arts, philosophy etc.

My favorite part was seeing the book collection of one of my historical heroes - Thomas Jefferson. The variety of his books was amazing. Everything from architecture and agriculture to foreign language Bibles. Books on math and poetry - no wonder he was an amazing founder of our country and an ingenious inventor.

As we wandered to Union Station, we passed the Supreme Court which was closed for the day :). (Every time we go, we see more we want to come back to visit). The kids then saw some parked trains which didn't do much for them. I guess Amtrack just doesn't look as cool as the old steam engines. Afterward, we moved on to the Post Office museum next door. There were interesting facts to read. Our kids favorite was sitting and "driving" in the cut off cab of a semi-truck display. It was part of a display of examples of the ways our mail is carried. But, this was also the final moments of our countdown-to-meltdown so either stamps weren't interesting enough, or all my kids have a future in truck driving. We made it out with no tears and everyone standing. Said goodbye to one of the many security guards we saw in the small post office museum. (Side note, of all the large museums we have been to, there were more guards for that little museum than any others - things that make you go hmmm). One child down and out for the count on the first road, second child out as soon as we headed up the scenic George Washington Parkway. It was a quiet ride home paired perfectly with the grande mocha Erik picked up for me on the way to get the car.