DC Gridlock

Last month I vowed to get through my back log of photos waiting to edit. And I started with our beach trip to North Carolina in August which was a wonderful week full of sunshine, family and good waves. Our trip to Washington DC a few weeks earlier was the next up, but instead of reliving fond memories of a family vacation, I was remembering all the stress and emotional volatility of Elisa's mood swings that fine day. It was supposed to be a 24 hour layover in our nation's capital that turned into more than we bargained for when our flights the next afternoon cancelled. But the real silver lining was that we all got to fly on one of Nacho's last flights as a Captain with Shuttle America (operating the Delta Shuttles to DC). It was our first time taking the girls on one of their papa's actual flights and they loved seeing him at work in the cockpit. Checking into the hotel and having a dip in the pool before a stroll and dinner in Alexandria were other highlights. The girls both LOVED that pool and honestly I did too. The first evening went so well, I was sure our second day of sightseeing after a breakfast from Pain Quotidien would be equally stellar. It was not. First, there was the abundant sunshine which was apparently "too bright" to look at my camera in any direction. The following smiles and photos only happened because I threatened them and/or tempted them with ice cream if they behaved. 

This is where it all started to head south...After much cajoling, Elisa just wasn't having it anymore. She wanted to stop walking, go back to the hotel and swim. Problem was...we'd already checked out. 

Again, more promises of ice cream...if we ever found a push cart or truck selling it. What the fuck, DC? Where are your ice cream vendors? We never found one. She was not happy. And I was made to look like a liar. Oh well. Banner day.

At least someone loves her mama. Carolina was a champion that day despite the heat, the sun and her sister stealing her stroller for long periods. She even tried to cheer Elisa up. 

And there you have it...we managed to pull off the very short list of sights I wanted to see after a grueling few hours of prodding and manipulating our big girl. It was just not Elisa's day in DC and I wish I knew why. I think the happiest she was all day was when she found out at the airport that afternoon that we weren't going to be able to fly home and that I'd rebooked our hotel (thanks to Priceline) with the fabulous swimming pool. So back to Crystal City we went without Nacho who had to fly home somehow or other. Nothing like a little swimming and a pizza delivered to our room to make our girls only slumber party complete. And in truth, when we all stopped fighting the inevitable, it was a great evening. The next morning we caught the shuttle back to DCA and flew home without any problems. It was a nice reminder that sometimes travel home can be effortless. And just enough boost that I'll probably attempt another flying trip with the girls soon. How about Thanksgiving?