Inside Fun: National Museum of Natural History

National Museum of Natural History
10th Street & Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20560

As with most of the Smithsonian museums, this museum is huge with many exhibits. It is advisable that you browse the website and select the exhibits that you would like to spend time in before heading out to the museum.

Today we went in for the Butterfly exhibit. The butterfly pavilion features live butterflies in a garden setting and is very cool. I have been to larger contained butterfly gardens but given that this one is in the middle of a museum, it is a good size. We decided to forgo the ridiculous charges for purchasing the tickets in advance and risked not being able to enter. We were in luck - perhaps because we got there before 10:30 am. We were able to purchase tickets for the next entry time and had a short wait in line.

LG really liked seeing the butterflies up close and was very excited when one landed on Dada. She really wanted one to land on her but it didn't happen. We only lasted about 10-15 minutes in the exhibit but it was a good time.


Tips for success:

• The museum staff said that mornings are the best time to see the butterflies because this is when they are most active.
• Get there early to avoid long lines. Even if you purchase your tickets in advance the time stamped on the ticket is not your guaranteed time of entry.
• Strollers are not permitted in the garden.
• Some children are scared of the idea of butterflies flying so close and landing on them. Be prepared to leave if your child needs to.
• Diligence is required. Children should not touch the butterflies and must be careful not to step on them.
• It is really humid in the pavilion. There are water misters that go off frequently.
  

After seeing the butterflies, we headed off to the Mammal Hall where we saw lots of 'sleeping' animals. LG decided that they were sleeping; we did not tell her that (but we did agree with her).

We then decided to eat in the cafeteria; this was a bad idea. It was expensive and dare I say, gross? We had a hot dog, fries, a hamburger, sandwich, and 2 fountain drinks - for 30 dollars. The sandwich was the only thing worth eating (and was actually large enough to feed the whole family). It wasn't a great sandwich but in comparison to the grill fare it was much better. Next time we will head home earlier or bring our own food for LG.

After the metro ride home, we were all tired but we had a good time so that is what counts.

COST: Museum ~ Free; Butterfly Pavilion ~ $6 per adult, $5 per child, free for those under 2

Fitness: Stroller Strides

Stroller Strides
Various locations, please check website

I recently ran into my former Stroller Strides instructor and remembered what a great experience it had been. I would still be doing stroller strides now if I had: 1. a daughter would would sit in a stroller for an hour; 2. a running stroller (I was fine with my Bumbleride when she was little but I think that now a running stroller, preferably a BOB would be much better for both of us).

I wish I had started striding when my daughter was about 3 months old. I think that is when I would have first been able to handle the workout (which is more intense than you might imagine) and LG would have been very content in her stroller. As it was, I didn't sign up until LG was already 9 months old and so I really only got in 3 good months of exercise before LG was walking and wearing me out at home. Had I stuck with it, I could probably still convince her to stay in her stroller that long because it would be a regular occurrence. There were a lot of mother's who had walkers that were content in the stroller. Somehow, I just don't see LG as being one of them. Or perhaps that is just my excuse so that I don't have to work out. :)

The workouts I was a part of focused less on walking/running and more on strength training. We would walk for a short while and then stop to do some resistance training with the elastic bands or some pushups or leg lifts. We also did cardio bursts, which really did me in.

It was a great place to connect with other moms and get in shape. Of course, everyone was always really understanding when you just 'had to go' or your child would not stop crying/screaming, or in my case, your child threw up all over her stroller.

Wow, I have almost inspired myself to try it again. Almost.

You can register at anytime during the year. The classes usually take place outside but when the weather gets to cold or hot, they move inside. There are a couple of pricing packages available and I would recommend starting with a ten class pass so that you can determine how many times a week you can handle it.

Good Eats: Elevation Burger

Elevation Burger
442 S. Washington St.
Falls Church, VA
(703)-237-4343

Since I mentioned Elevation Burger in my post about Johnny Rockets, I feel as though I should give the restaurant a proper review.

Currently (as of Aug 2008) there seems to be only one location in Falls Church. However, according to this article more locations can be expected.

It is a casual environment where you order at the counter and seat yourself (highchairs and booster seats available). It is clean and the staff is friendly. Food comes out pretty quickly and we have retrieved it ourselves and also had it brought to us so I am not sure what the SOP is. There are small high top tables and large lower tables but no booths. Given how crowded it is, you might end up sharing a large table with another family.

Dada loves Elevation Burger. He says that they are some of the best burgers in the area. I take his word for it. LG is pretty happy with her burgers from there as well. Mama is happy because they have Veggie Burgers! Two types actually and both are good depending on what you are in the mood for but Mama does prefer turkey burgers. (Hey Elevation Burger, want to add to your menu? Can you PLEASE add a Turkey burger? Thanks!) The milkshakes are fantastic.

Elevation burger has replaced Five Guys for us since Five Guys uses peanut oil (a no-no for LG) and does not have Veggie or Turkey burgers for Mama (they have some sad little thing that they call a Veggie sandwich but I have nicknamed it the toppings sandwich because there is nothing to it but burger toppings).

Thankfully, Elevation Burger now has Sunday hours 11am to 5pm so we can head there for lunch on the weekends.

Good Eats: Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets
Pentagon City Mall
Shirlington Town Center
Georgetown

A fun atmosphere where you don't mind if you kid's are loud or make a mess. A good burger for Mom and Dad and milkshakes all around. At the Georgetown location the wait staff performs during certain songs and I have seen quite a few birthday celebrations there as well. The Pentagon City location is by far the least festive. The wait staff is fine, but doesn't usually cater to children. Still a decent choice if you are at the mall and need something besides the food court.

I like the Turkey burgers here and there is a veggie option as well. My favorite is a #12 and Dada likes the Original.

Watch out for: kid's menu prices, for some items it is actually less expensive to order off the adult menu. A la carte ordering can be pricey as well. The french fries do not come with meals and can quickly add to your bill.

Overall: An expensive but kid friendly option.

Other options for a good burger: Elevation Burger in Falls Church (perhaps a better option)

A Simple Plan

Going for a Walk

Never underestimate the value of a good walk outside. I am always amazed at what fascinates LG as we make our way through Arlington. On this particular adventure it was the ATM at Wachovia. She was touching the buttons and asking, "Where's the money?" (mostly in sign language). Keep in mind that I have stopped at the ATM with her only a handful of times in the past 6 months. I was surprised to find that she knew what the ATM was for. She was very disappointed when we had to leave because someone actually wanted to use the ATM.






LG also found excitement in her stroller (a Bumbleride Flyer). She has been very into clasps and hooks and buttons lately so the stroller provided at least 15 minutes of entertainment.






Some great places to walk around outside:

Urban: Ballston Metro area (not right next to the metro but in the area around it) there are fountains to explore (head toward the Westin Hotel); birds to feed (in the open area next to Cosi is usually good); and wide open sidewalks to accomodate strollers.

Nature: Lubber Run has trails that are stroller friendly. The community center on site ensures that you will have access to a bathroom if necessary and there is also a playground an picnic pavillion.

Waterside: Mount Vernon Trail this paved trail provides a beautiful view overlooking the Potomac River.

Added bonus for all this walking? Mommy gets a work out!

Inside Fun: Central Library

Central Library
1015 N. Quincy St.
Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-5990 (Main)

I am raising a book worm. We go to the library all the time. LG loves it. Mama loves it. Good times for all and a money saver to boot.

Our closest library is the Central Library at Quincy Park and for LG it is so much more than a place to get books. She loves the puzzles and playing hide and go seek in the rows of books. She adores watching the other children and the music collection. I have frequently made the mistake of thinking we could pop into the library only to find us still there 45 minutes later. I have learned to never go to the library when we have somewhere else we need to be.



Other things we have learned:

• If Mama wants books too, it is best that she place them on hold using the online catalog. This way, Mama's books are waiting at the check out desk and there is no need to bring LG upstairs.
• Story hour(s) are on Friday. There is a 2 years and under story hour upstairs at 10am and 11am. There is also a 2 years and up story hour downstairs at 10am and 11am. I do not know which is best if you have multiple ages to entertain but I imagine that is more dependent on your family dynamics than anything else.
• The library staff is extremely helpful. If you do not know which books to select for your child, try going to the help desk. They can find some great books that you would never have time to find on your own.
• The library is a good spot to meet up with other parents. For some reason it is easier to maintain a conversation with another parent here than at other indoor locations.
• Self-checkout is not hard to do. If you do not have books on hold, try self-checkout (especially if your child is contained in a stroller).

Good Eats: Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake Factory
2900 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 294-9966


Not unique to our area but kid friendly all the same. A kid's menu is not available but since the portions are so large, you can probably get away with just having your little one eat off your plate. There is a toddler plate that servers will bring out for free (ask if they do not do so automatically). It consists of bread, bananas, and strawberries. The smoothies at Cheesecake are also made with real fruit so if you have a smoothie nut like we do, that might be a good option as well.

LG's favorite part is the bread and bacon: