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Our Weekend in DC + This Week's Menu

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Good Tuesday morning, friends! How was your weekend? If your week is starting off anything like mine, you have a to-do list worthy of a thousand wide-eyed emojis. BUT a weekend spent not worrying about a to-do list at all was well worth it (though Monday did hit hard!). 

Yesterday was our 8 year wedding anniversary, so on Saturday we headed to DC to celebrate. Thanks to my mom and James for taking such good care of our babies so we could get away for a little quality time together! We decided on DC because it seemed like the perfect far-but-not-too-far location. It was about a three hour trip each way with traffic, but it's amazing how even a few hours "stuck" in the car feels like a date these days. ;) 


We stayed at the Hyatt Place [White House] which was one of the more affordable options and the location was excellent. We were a block away from the White House and so many other attractions were within easy walking distance. The hotel has a rooftop bar (it rained Saturday so we didn't get to check it out, but nice to have it right there in better weather!), 24/7 cafe and Starbucks, valet service, complimentary breakfast, and very comfy accommodations. 


After we arrived on Saturday, we didn't have too much time to get ready before our (early bird, haha!) dinner reservation. We cleaned up and grabbed a Lyft (because, heels) to RPM Italian. I am a big dork and have wanted to go there ever since it opened, and it didn't disappoint! We got the truffled garlic bread to start, eggplant parm, spaghetti and meatball (they serve one giant meatball), and the chocolate budini for dessert. So good and not overly filling, which was perfect since we planned to walk around after dinner.



After our meal, I changed shoes (yes my bag was big enough to fit a change of shoes -- always plan ahead! ;)) and we walked back over to the White House. Funnily enough, we noticed the whole area in front of it was roped off and figured those were the newest security measures. Maybe five minutes later, a huge motorcade with flashing lights and a string of large black vehicles pulled into the White House and we overheard a tour guide saying that it was the First Lady's motorcade. How's that for timing? Shortly after, the police took down the ropes and we were able to cross over and get a better view. She sure is impressive. It was pretty incredible to think of every president except for George Washington residing there.




We wandered in a large circle around the White House, taking in the beautiful architecture of surrounding buildings. The one below was my favorite. We saw the Department of Treasury, the Washington Monument, and the back (the South Lawn) of the White House. From there, we walked back toward our hotel, stopping at The Washington Post headquarters and taking in some more beautiful scenery. One thing that struck me (that I hadn't remembered from being in DC years ago): the city was generally so quiet. It's nothing like New York, or even Philadelphia. It seems wide and sprawling with lower buildings and a lot less people. 






On Sunday we enjoyed the continental breakfast in our room (yum), and then walked over to Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, grabbing some coffee along the way. While we waited for the museum to open, we saw Ford's Theater (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated) and the building right across the street where he actually died. So crazy to think about. 





The wax museum was a lot of fun, and they had a full presidential exhibit with an eerily  real looking statue of every single president. You know who my favorite was. ;) On the way back from the museum we got an early lunch at Potbelly's and sat at the countertop people watching. From there we saw the FBI and IRS headquarters and then arrived back at our hotel for checkout. 



It was a quick trip (less than 24 hours) but we fit so much in, and most importantly it all felt so relaxing. No real time line or itinerary, just sort of wandering the best parts of the city and taking it all in. I can't wait to go back with the girls and take them to some of my favorite museums, like Air & Space and the Smithsonian. 

Sorry for the lengthy recap -- I'm really impressed if you made it this far! Back to regularly scheduled programming, here's what's on the menu for this week.

This Week's Menu:

Monday - Grilled chicken caesar salads

Tuesday - Fish sticks, garlic cauliflower rice, and cheddar biscuits

Wednesday - Pasta with slowcooker meat sauce, side of broccoli

Thursday - Out

Friday - Leftover pasta and broccoli 

Saturday - BBQ with friends

Sunday - Hotdogs, french fries and salad 


Hope your day is going well so far!

4 comments:

  1. What a great little getaway. That italian restaurant sounds soooo good. I can't believe you saw the First Lady's motorcade while waiting at the WH. So cool.

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    1. It really was so nice! It's crazy how much can be seen and enjoyed in less than a full weekend, and I couldn't believe the timing with the motorcade!

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  2. Oh this makes my homesick for a city I've hardly spent much time in! You really did fit in a LOT. Such an elegant trip too - was the image at the Italian the Eggplant with Parmesan? it looks DELICIOUS - does it have an egg in it? Is eggplant what you call Aubergine (if I remember rightly!)? Sorry - I am like an annoying child throwing questions at you.. I bet it was so nice to get dressed up and arrive at a restaurant that had been on your hit list for a while - going away just the two is always such a boost don't you think?..... I've totally had the same experience as you with finding the city very quiet, ordered, but kind of laid back too? I LOVED DC and was planning to move there before I met and settled with Andy. Would love to go with the family now. Love your white top! Btw scrolled down to Beyoncé and she made my physically jump! I think it was her karate kid kick stance that did it.

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    1. Oh, I just love your comment and observations. :) Made me smile! Yes, that is the eggplant in the picture -- and it was SO good, I ate every last bite. Eggplant parm is my favorite dish, I think. And YES, going away just the two of us is SUCH a boost and although it happens very rarely, it's that much more special when it does. I think it's important to remember who the two of you were/are without kids, if that makes sense. That's so interesting that you were planning to move to DC! I hadn't been in years and wasn't expecting to like it so much but I really did. There's just so much history and like you said -- it's just more laid back than you'd think. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

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