Elle takes on DC

Reluctant to disclose her political aspirations, Elle devoted her time in DC to pleasure, not business. Once Ikea and Costco were out of the way (twice each), she tackled the Zoo. I'm pretty sure she had more fun on the escalator and Metro than at the zoo, which is not to say the zoo wasn't thoroughly enjoyed... just that the pure joy of riding up and down the magical moving staircase and whooshing through underground homicide scenes tunnels was difficult to top. Upon seeing the other passengers holding onto the pole on the Metro, E assumed this position. I think she may be a big city girl after all.

I had a tough time answering the deluge of "What that is?" with this guy, but ended up announcing decidedly that he's an Aardvark, although I fully expected her to correct me. She humored me this time and let me think that she thinks that I'm smart. Whew.

Ummm.... fox? I mean, Alopex lagopus, of course.

Seriously, we did actually see some real animals. Only they were difficult to photograph through the plexiglass and/or hiding in the distant shade. And these guys were much more willing to pose with my daughter. And allow her to touch them in not-so-socially acceptable places.

Yeah, I know. That Panda is a good sport.

She was rather infatuated with the multi-colored giant pagoda-tummied bear. Mimi and Grampa also fell under the Panda's spell. He's working on world dominion. You heard it here first.

We saw the Monument... or Big Tall White Building, as Elle affectionately refers to it.

We showed a little leg at the Jefferson Memorial

And we acted actually were embarrassed that Jefferson saw our panties.

We ran through the grass with a grumpy look on our face.

We made appearances at the Museum of Natural History (Dinosoooors!) and the Air and Space Museum (Airpanes!)

And we left with the souvenier without which no 2-year-old's trip to DC would be complete...

Yep, a spacesuit.

I didn't have the hear to tell her that the pink patent leather shoes weren't very practical for moonwalking. And that they clash with the spacesuit.

Apparently in all of the hullabaloo to make the family trip to our nation's capital memorable (oh and for Mommy to work), we forgot basic things like watering our child. We do have indoor plumbing, E.

Welcome home.