DC Day 2: Air and Space Museum

A highlight of every trip to DC is the National Air and Space Museum. That was our singular goal for Sunday. 

In the morning, since the museum doesn’t open until 10, we headed to a coffee shop for breakfast. 

My breakfast: Leek Quiche with Greens and black coffee.

Coffee.

My breakfast.

Nile’s breakfast: Apple Turnover pastry, Lemon tart, and a mocha. With three extra sugars. 😂

The Lemon Tart.  It was really good.

After that, since it was only 9:30, we headed back to the hotel briefly before walking the single block to the Air and Space Museum. We joined the line of people waiting to enter and got in a little after 10 am. 

Not thrilled to be waiting in line.

As always, we enjoyed exploring the museum. We saw two movies: “Dark Universe” narrated by Neil Degrasse Tyson, and “D-Day 3D” narrated by Tom Brokaw. Both were fantastic. 

We finished up at the museum around 1:30and headed back to the hotel for a late lunch. 

Space: the lunar module

Bullets.  In many sizes. 

Tickets

Very stylish glasses

After lunch, we called for a ride to Arlington National Cemetery. We had pre-purchased a tour of the cemetery, which ended up being a good thing. Our tour started at 3:30, and we ended up on an open-air cart. It was a bit chilly. As we didn't have a ton of time, we opted to stay on the cart and didn't get a chance to see everything. However, the tour buses came around every 15 minutes and we knew we wouldn't have time if we got off a lot.

Then the evening was capped by a trip to watch the Washington Wizards play the New York Knicks. It was fun, and we had seats behind the sideline reporter for the Knicks TV broadcast. (She's the blonde in the photo).

Our seats

The view from our seats

After the game we had one more stop, to a gelato place that Nate and I had visited two years ago. It was as good as I remembered, although Nile was not as impressed. I had chocolate chocolate chip and black tea, while he had vanilla and chocolate hazelnut.

Rapt

If my face were a TV, could I get this type of undivided attention?

Breakfast buddies

Thomas and Salty are joining us for breakfast this morning!

Lonely chair

I remember that distinct moment a few years ago when it became clear that Nate and Nile were ready to "graduate" to the next level of seating at the table:

Now it seems Novak may have hit that milestone. He recently discovered that he can climb up into the counter-height chairs at the breakfast bar. And now that he has, he wants nothing to do with the booster mounted on the center chair. He wants only to sit in "Nate's chair" or "Nile's chair."

This morning, with Novak sitting in the chair previously occupied by Nate, I had to remove the booster so Nate could sit down for breakfast.

Once again, life has demonstrated to me just how little control I have over the passage of time. My baby is quickly growing up. :(

This is his "Perfect Piggies" smile (from the Sandra Boynton book).
There's a line in the book that says "No one around has a lovelier smile!"
He does this whenever I read that line.

The lonely chair

"Want to sit in Nate's chair!"

What happens when I allow PBS on during breakfast?

This.

Donut Heaven

For Christmas my sister got me a donut maker. (in truth, it's probably more a gift for the boys). Since she also gave us a chocolate donut mix, we decided to give the new toy a whirl Tuesday morning.

The donut maker.  Isn't it beautiful? :)

The finished product.  Professional, no?

Nate enjoyed the donuts.

Typical Nile (he ate three anyway)

Sharing

Novak just took a bite of toast out of his mouth and tried to share it with me. Sweet, maybe. Gross, definitely. Yuck!

I want to raise a boy who is sweet and shares, to a point.

Three more days until he turns one!

Second Breakfast

Aragorn: Gentlemen! We do not stop 'til nightfall.
Pippin: But what about breakfast?
Aragorn: You've already had it.
Pippin: We've had one, yes. But what about second breakfast?
[Aragorn stares at him, then walks off.]
Merry: Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.
Pippin: What about elevensies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?
Merry: I wouldn't count on it.

Lately, Nile has taken to eating a second breakfast after Nate leaves for school. I think he's part hobbit.

(actually, it's probably more a result of not eating enough dinner every night...but I'll go with the hobbit explanation.)

Cooking breakfast

This morning the boys are helping Tom cut vegetables for omelets. I didn't realize Nile was so handy with a knife! (if you're worried, they are only butter knives!)

Check at the end for a video of the boys in action.

Big Breakfast

I think this should hold him.