Whew...Tiring Day in DC

Our first stop was to the Museum of Art.  Almost immediately, we realized that the younger kids were too young for this exhibit.  So Mimi and Aunt Lindsay took the younger girls while I walked through the museum at a pretty fast clip with Isaac and Lily.

(pic by Isaac)

I pointed out this work of art and asked them who was the mom and baby pictured in it.  They were able to tell me Mary and Jesus, so we talked about what clues were in the picture to help them guess that correctly.

(pic by Isaac)

I let the kids take the camera and click anything that caught their eye.

(pic by Isaac)

Fountain.  

(pic by Isaac)

This portrait is the only piece by Leonardo Di Vinci in the Western Hemisphere.  

(pic by Isaac)

I pointed out that people did not have cameras way back when so they would pay an artist to paint their portrait.

(pic by Isaac)

I introduced them to the Monet room.  Lily described the style as "blurry." 

(pic by Isaac)

Then we visited the American art wing.  The kids zeroed in on this bronze engraving.  I asked them what American war they thought it represented.  They were able to guess the Civil War.  So we talked about what clues were in the picture to help them guess that correctly.

(pic by Lily)

(pic by Lily) 

We took a peak at Van Gogh's self portrait as well. 

(pic by Lily)

We then walked across the mall to the Federal Bureau of Engravings to take a tour of the "money" factory.  MANY thanks to Robin, Matt, Aunt Cindy, and Boppa, who woke up at 5am to get us tickets into the Engravings Tour.

(pic by Megan) In front of the Washington Monument.

We then walked ALL the way across the Mall Area to the Capital Building to take a tour that Robin had arranged for us.  

This symbol marks the exact center of DC.

(pic by Megan)

The painted ceiling of the rotunda. 

(pic by Megan)

Abby, checking out the ceiling.

Our youngest member, Norah, also checking out the ceiling. 

How I was feeling right about then.

How I spent the majority of the Capital tour...

My junior photographer (notice I'm in the background, just about to pick up Abby...again.).

...as well as the metro ride home.  Needless to say, after over 5 miles of walking the Mall during afternoon heat (half the time carrying a five year old) and containing 2 children during multiple tours, I was very tired by the time we got back to Aunt Cindy's.  As a result, I have opted to be part of the "Slacker Van" with my kids tomorrow.  We will enjoy a slow morning, missing the tour of the American History Museum, and catch up with the "Nerd Van" crew after they have already been out on their feet for half a day.