Wow, what adventures we've had. Last night we decided to embrace our meatless Friday by going to a fish and chips place in the Columbia Pike section of Arlington that had received great reviews. Problem. When we got to the fish and chips place, it was no longer a fish and chips place. What to do when you have dragged three young children to a restaurant that you can no longer go to. Our solution was to walk down Columbia Pike to the Irish pub, P. Brennan's. What a fun surprise awaited us. In addition to the food being great, during the month of March, Irish step dancers perform at the pub on Friday nights. Meg and Clare loved it. They clapped along. They danced along. And they absolutely loved the green, caped costumes. We don't often take the girls to a restaurant in the evening, because we don't often take them out at all in the evening. They are winding down by that point in the day and would normally be too cranky. But throw in some Irish step dancers and it was a breeze. Score one for Lent (that's why we were seeking out fish and chips) and score one for St. Patrick's Day (that's why the Irish step dancers perform in March).
More adventure awaited us today. This morning I took all three girls to the Corcoran Gallery of Art's Family Day. I often hesitate to go to these big events because there will always be huge crowds and it can be difficult navigating three kids through a huge crowd. This event was completely worth any hassle. I was so impressed by how well organized the event was and how helpful the volunteers working the event were. The Corcoran itself has enough space to handle the large number of families who were in attendance. With activities all over the building, the crowds were spread out enough so as to not be overwhelming. And the activities, which included Paris, New York and the Wild West themes, were so much fun. There was an 18th century Paris salon in which the girls could listen to music performed by people in beautiful period clothing (which the girls loved). Also along the Paris theme, children could make masks for a Paris masquerade.
More adventure awaited us today. This morning I took all three girls to the Corcoran Gallery of Art's Family Day. I often hesitate to go to these big events because there will always be huge crowds and it can be difficult navigating three kids through a huge crowd. This event was completely worth any hassle. I was so impressed by how well organized the event was and how helpful the volunteers working the event were. The Corcoran itself has enough space to handle the large number of families who were in attendance. With activities all over the building, the crowds were spread out enough so as to not be overwhelming. And the activities, which included Paris, New York and the Wild West themes, were so much fun. There was an 18th century Paris salon in which the girls could listen to music performed by people in beautiful period clothing (which the girls loved). Also along the Paris theme, children could make masks for a Paris masquerade.
Face painting was another activity. Meg stuck with the Paris theme and chose the Eiffel Tower.
The Wild West activities included a lassoing demonstration and the children were given small lassos to attempt it on their own. (Not sure why Clare looks as if she is wearing make up in the picture below. Her very fair skin can easily look flushed, but here she almost looks like she's gone for a 1980's pink makeover.)
Even Baby Anne seem to enjoy the day.
In addition to the fun activities of Family Day, my art-loving children very much enjoyed seeing the Corcoran's collection of John Singer Sargent paintings. Both Meg and Clare adored the beautiful dresses worn by Sargent's subjects.
After leaving the Corcoran, we celebrated the wonderful spring-like weather by going to one of our favorite parks--Montrose Park in Georgetown. Come to think of it, Montrose Park has a very 19th century feel to it and I could easily imagine some of John Singer Sargent's subjects walking through the park in those beautiful gowns. Meg and Clare, however, enjoyed getting their dresses rather filthy in the park's sandbox.
After leaving the Corcoran, we celebrated the wonderful spring-like weather by going to one of our favorite parks--Montrose Park in Georgetown. Come to think of it, Montrose Park has a very 19th century feel to it and I could easily imagine some of John Singer Sargent's subjects walking through the park in those beautiful gowns. Meg and Clare, however, enjoyed getting their dresses rather filthy in the park's sandbox.
Such a fun twenty-four hours filled with surprises, new experiences and old favorites.
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