We Survived!

Yesterday, Leah and I accompanied my friends Alison and Mariah and their little ones into DC to check out the cherry blossoms. None of us had actually driven into the city before, so we were a bit unsure, but we reasoned we could do it. After all, so many of our other friends had done it before, why couldn't we?

We met up at Ali's so that we could load all the carseats into her SUV. That was our first victory of the day, especially since loading carseats is typically a job our husbands are responsible for. About an hour later (remember, we did have four little ones under the age of five to round up), we were on the road. Traffic was smooth (yeah!), and soon we arrived at Hains Point. Parking was a breeze (not like there were plenty of spots, but it didn't take long to find one), and soon we were slathering on sunblock, loading up strollers, and heading toward the Tidal Basin.

It took us about 30 minutes (maybe longer?) to get to the cherry blossoms, but we didn't mind; we were high on the fact that we had made it safe and sound thus far. Plus, it was a beautiful morning and the kids were content.

The blossoms were beautiful, though some were already turning green. We strolled along the TB for a bit, and then crossed over to the Washington Monument so that we could eat and the kids could run around. Carter, Moira, and Will took full advantage of the freedom to run and play; Leah, on the other hand, was content to sit on the blanket and scrounge for food. We did manage to walk around for a little bit, but the blanket (and food) kept calling her name.

Around noon, we decided to head back. The kids were getting tired (so were we, if truth be told), the sun was getting considerably warmer, and the crowds were getting bigger. We stopped off for pictures in the tulip garden and in front of the blossoms on the way back to the car, so it probably took us an hour to get there. By then, both of the girls had napped, Will was working hard NOT to fall asleep, and Carter-- the trooper-- was plugging along, despite being tired (that's a lot of walking for a four-and-a-half-year old).

The biggest challenge was finding our way OUT of DC since we couldn't leave the same way we entered. Thanks to Alison's driving and Mariah's navigation skills, though, we finally made it out, safe and sound. We felt so empowered by our trip that we're ready to take another one. Bring it on!

Will checks out his girls (Moira & Leah) while munching on crackers.

Moira was just itching to get out of her stroller.

Carter checks out the stump of a 90-year-old tree that had fallen during the 2010 blizzard.

Who's that pretty girl?

Mmmm, food. Why play when you can eat?