National Natural History Museum

The National Natural History Museum is vast. The film Night at the Museum was based off of this magnificent place. This is our favorite Smithsonian to visit. There is so much to see. My little ones never get bored. Joey loves that he can get so close to all of the animals and they don't bite. The babies are starting to recognize the world around them. They even enjoyed the museum this time. That's saying a lot. Though the wildlife is not exactly "alive" that doesn't stop my babies from imagining. They've learned animal sounds and behaviors at this museum. After we visit all of the endangered species and dinosaurs, we went to see the diamond gallery. Diamonds really are a girls best friend. We saw diamonds from all over the world. My favorites were Marie Antoniette's jewels and the priceless Hope Diamond. My Zia loved this museum. She made us go back again on another day. 

National American History Museum

Michelle Obama's Inaugural Gown

The National American History Museum is one of our favorite DC spots. It doesn't matter how many times we've visited, there's always more to see. Today we saw the original Star Spangled Banner (no photos allowed), Dorothy's ruby slippers, the first ladies exhibit, various early modes of transportation, and so much more. The first ladies exhibit is breathtaking. We admired the stylistic changes of the inaugural gowns of dozens of first ladies from Mary Todd Lincoln, to Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton. Joey loved the choo choo trains and funny looking old cars. We enjoyed showing Zia one of our favorite places to visit. 

 

Mary Todd Lincoln's fine china

Julia Child's Kitchen

National Gallery of Art

I created a massive list of museums and sites for my zia to choose from. I shouldn't have been surprised to hear she wanted to visit the National Gallery of Art. The Dying Gaul was on loan from none other than ROME. This Ancient Roman Masterpiece dates back to the first century CE and it hasn't left Rome since 1797, when it was moved to the Louvre in Paris. It wasn't the only beautiful work of art we saw. Below you will find some of my favorites, including Vincent van Gogh's Green Wheat Fields. Impressionism is strikingly beautiful to me. Enjoy!

Edgar Degas, 1878, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen

Vincent van Gogh, Green Wheat Fields

George Stubbs, 1780, White Poodle in a Punt

Vincent van Gogh, 1890, Roses

James McNeill Whistler, 1862 Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl 

Gerrit van Honthorst, 1623, The Concert

Stuart Gilbert, 1795, George Washington Self Portrait

Claude Monet, 1899, The Japanese Footbridge

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, 1883, Tell It with Pride: The 54th Massachusetts Regiment

 Auguste Renoir, 1876, A Girl with a Watering Can

Auguste Renoir, 1874, The Dancer

Straciatella and Chocolate Gelato...also a work of art

 

Leo Villareal, 2008, Multiversa