What We Learned On Our Museum Trip

Today we went with some friends to this butterfly exhibit at the Natural History Museum in D.C. I'm always surprised what I learn on a good museum trip. Today was no exception!

Here's a sampling of what we learned today:

• A great option for daytime trips to D.C. is to park at the Pentagon City mall. It's a short trip on Metro into the city, and you can shop a little afterward for free parking validation.

• Taking the Metro takes longer, but it will be the highlight of the trip. Especially if the "choo-choo train" goes in a tunnel and on a bridge over water.
  

• If you forget to hold on tight while taking a picture on the Metro, you're likely to end up in a stranger's lap, looking like an embarrassed tourist.

• Elevators in D.C. are hard to come by. The ones that exist are not meant for 5 moms, 5 strollers and 7 kids.

• Taking a stroller on a mile-high escalator is easier than it looks.

• Many stone-faced, serious-looking District folk become softies when they encounter a toddler-stroller parade.

• Tess is deathly afraid of butterflies.

• Tess isn't the only one who finds flying butterflies a bit disconcerting.

• It's easier to be brave with a good friend nearby. At least for a little while.

So, we didn't learn a whole lot about butterflies, but the trip was definitely educational. And a fun adventure!