A Peek at the Peak

I have always been in love with the cherry blossoms that surround the memorials at the National Mall since I learned about them when I was like 8.  When we moved to DE we began visiting during the blooming season, and made it each of the years 2009-2011.  Due to weather and travel, we haven't been to it in a few years so I was excited to pack up the boys and take the much shorter trek this weekend up to see the cherry blossoms during their peak bloom.  I know there are cherry blossom trees all over, but there is just something magical about seeing all the blossoms surrounding the iconic Washington images (Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial are my favorites). It was the hottest and latest visit ever for us, with the temperature topping 80 degrees, and the petals a swirl amid all the refreshing wind.  We were a little crazy to go on such a busy day, but we ditched the stroller to make walking and getting on the metro easier and just enjoyed the exercise walking completely around the tidal basin with our two little guys amid all the tourists.

Theo made a cherry blossom tree during craft time at school, so he was pretty excited about them too!

 This face!

 

Apparently wanting "more" of something.

Man he looks tall here.

Spring!!! (And St. Patrick's Day)

It was the most beautiful day of the year Saturday, a great start to spring.

We started it with a trip to Babies R Us.  They were having a promotion for a new type of diapers. We got a bunch of the new Pampers with Dry Max feature. And an outfit for baby to wear to his daddy's softball games this fall, a picture will come eventually of that. We also got him some new shades to protect his eyes.

Then we headed to Main Street to stroll, eat, and watch basketball.

We had lunch at Grotto Pizza, and watched Villanova lose.

We then finished walking along Main Street, with lots of people commenting on how cute Theodore looked in his stroller with his shades on.

And then we participated in a 20 year Newark tradition. Apparently, Rita's gives out free water ices on the first day of spring. We stumbled upon the line that stretched at least 200 feet from the counter. I've been wanting to try water ice for a long time, and we liked it, and will need to return this summer. It's one of area's claims to fame, along with pretzels and Philly cheesesteaks.

Earlier in the week, we also made a big deal out of Theodore's first official holiday:  St. Patrick's Day! He wasn't at all excited though :(