Saturday morning Ell and I headed to Washington, DC for a day full of adventures. Our first adventure... Riding the train. It was Ell's first ever train ride and it was a success!!
We arrived at Union Station around 10am.
We browsed Union Station for a few minutes before we headed on our way.
Ell in the lobby of Union Station... What a big, big place!
We stopped by the Smithsonian Museum of American History. We only made it through parts of the West Wing... There was so much to see but we let Ell lead the way. I had a feeling that if I pushed for something it would lead to a miserable day!
Michelle Obama's Inauguration ball gown... So much more stunning in person than in any photograph!
Ell loved seeing all of the First Ladies gowns and I have to say, they were all beautiful!
More of the First Ladies gowns.
Ell looking at Dorthy's real ruby slippers... I have to say, they didn't look very comfortable. Oh well, sometimes you just have to go for fashion over function!
Rachel came up to join us for the day.
Ell at the Washington Monument.
By the White House in the morning.
Ell and I in front of the White House.
Then we went to the Nation Book Festival on the Nation Mall.
We got to see Jane O'Connor, the author of the Fancy Nancy books, read one of her books... So much fun!!
They had a PBS Kids tent and all sorts of activities. What a fantastic treat!
We saw Sid the Science Kid.
And we got to meet Arthur!
We saw Princess Presto from Super Why!
We also met Curious George,
Woofster from Super Why!,
Angelina Ballerina,
The Cat in the Hat,
and Word Girl! So cool!!
We took lots of breaks along the way...
... and managed to walk the entire way!
We visited the small gardens along the way.
There really were some hidden treasures along the way.
Ell even shared some of her cashews with some of the residents! She named this one Squirty (I don't know why) and he came about 3ft from her to get her nuts!
Train ride home. We left the house before 9am and got home a little after 9pm... It was a long day but it sure was a fun day!!
Throwing axes... Watch out! 
Ell and I riding an elephant... Woo-hoo!
Some of the sights...
Ell showing Bennett the ropes on a trampoline with (lots of) help from Erin.
Ell with Bennett and Daddy... See, everyone got a couple of bounces on the trampoline!
Ell looks like a cheerleader in training!
For HPU's Alumni Weekend we all got to see the new Phi Mu house on Greek Row. The only word I have to say is... WOW!
We also celebrated Ell's Big 6 Birthday while we were down here... Pizza and ice cream, what more could a girl ask for?? Oh, that's right, presents! Don't worry, she got plenty of those too!!
Build your own sundaes... YUM!
Sunday afternoon baseball with Daddy and Uncle Michael.
Little slugger!
Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday dear Ellie...
Happy birthday to YOU!!
Nora enjoying desserts too!
Bennett
On Saturday Ell and I headed down to the Fells Point Festival. It was drizzly and cold but it sure felt like fall!
Then on Sunday it warmed up and we headed to the Greek Festival. Ell liked the cookies but she didn't care for the marinated, grilled octopus.
What a mess!
Silliness!!
Saturday morning Ell and I headed to Washington, DC for a day full of adventures. Our first adventure... Riding the train. It was Ell's first ever train ride and it was a success!!
We arrived at Union Station around 10am.
We browsed Union Station for a few minutes before we headed on our way.
Ell in the lobby of Union Station... What a big, big place!
We stopped by the Smithsonian Museum of American History. We only made it through parts of the West Wing... There was so much to see but we let Ell lead the way. I had a feeling that if I pushed for something it would lead to a miserable day!
Michelle Obama's Inauguration ball gown... So much more stunning in person than in any photograph!
Ell loved seeing all of the First Ladies gowns and I have to say, they were all beautiful!
More of the First Ladies gowns.
Ell looking at Dorthy's real ruby slippers... I have to say, they didn't look very comfortable. Oh well, sometimes you just have to go for fashion over function!
Rachel came up to join us for the day.
Ell at the Washington Monument.
By the White House in the morning.
Ell and I in front of the White House.
Then we went to the Nation Book Festival on the Nation Mall. 
We got to see Jane O'Connor, the author of the Fancy Nancy books, read one of her books... So much fun!!
They had a PBS Kids tent and all sorts of activities. What a fantastic treat!
We saw Sid the Science Kid.
And we got to meet Arthur!
We saw Princess Presto from Super Why!
We also met Curious George,
Woofster from Super Why!,
Angelina Ballerina,
The Cat in the Hat,
and Word Girl! So cool!!
We took lots of breaks along the way...
... and managed to walk the entire way!
We visited the small gardens along the way.
There really were some hidden treasures along the way.
Ell even shared some of her cashews with some of the residents! She named this one Squirty (I don't know why) and he came about 3ft from her to get her nuts!
Train ride home. We left the house before 9am and got home a little after 9pm... It was a long day but it sure was a fun day!!
