Saturday, March 22, 2014

Cures for Cabin Fever

Keeping the kids occupied during the bleak winter months is always a challenge, especially with a season like this past year’s (we were still receiving snow and freezing rain in late March).  To keep from going stir crazy, we got out of the house when we could.  Museums are always a good bet, and two of our favorites are the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Port Discovery children’s museum in Baltimore.  We visited both and learned that the kids have a curious interest in Egyptology and mummies (see below).  Our diversions weren’t limited to indoor activities: on milder weekends, we ventured outdoors for visits to Great Falls Park (near the Potomac River) and Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County.  Both excursions were a little slushy from the melting snow but provided some much needed fresh air.  Our trip to Great Falls was particularly memorable for the post-hike dinner and drinks we had at The Old Brogue Irish pub in the town of Great Falls.  As the season drew to a close, we even had a few spring-like weekends.  One particularly fine Saturday in March, Bryant and Henry paid a visit to the Mount Vernon Estate and learned all about our nation’s first president.  Bryant was impressed with Henry’s interest in the various historical exhibits and spent a lot of time answering questions like: who was the shortest president (John Adams) and who was the tallest president (Abe Lincoln).  Below are some photos from our various late winter/early spring outings. 

 
Dinosaurs and mummies at the Smithsonian

 
 
More mummies and water play at Port Discovery

 
Nature walk at Huntley Meadows Park

 
 
Family hike at Great Falls Park

 
 
Father and son fieldtrip to Mount Vernon Estate

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