The Trip (Wrap-up)

from Ben's mom
There's a lot I could say about our trip east but I will try to stick to basic highlights.

Sunday afternoon we drove to W. Virginia with a few stops to see friends on the way. We stayed with M's family until Thursday, letting Ben get acquainted with his grandparents, great-grandma, aunt and five uncles. He was a little overwhelmed by all those people but warmed up, particularly to his grandma.

Thursday, back to Maryland to visit my aunt and uncle. Ben broke an antique plate. He didn't see it but did see the digital display on their heating and cooling system and hopped up on a chair to check it out, inadvertently knocking the plate off the wall as he did so. It was a sad moment.

We were supposed to return to WA on Sunday morning, but back in M's office the communications director was hot to set something up (re: the Supreme Court case) in D.C. So it worked out that they were holding a press conference at The National Press Club on Tuesday. It didn't make sense to fly home Sunday and back Monday, so we extended our stay.

We crammed in lunches, dinners, and even a playdate with friends. We even managed two lunches with the newlyweds and a visit to their D.C. apartment. Ben did well eating at our D.C. favorite, Meskerem. We spent a little time with our godson and his sisters, parents, and grandma, which inversely meant Ben spent time with his godparents.
Our one touristy stop was at The Kennedy Center (where I never made it during 3+ years of living in northern Virginia). There was an Arts Festival going on and so we couldn't see into the performance centers but Ben did get to go to the "Instrument Petting Zoo" and play all kinds of musical instruments, and watch the parade.
Monday, we spent some time in Leesburg where M prepped for the conference at Market Street Coffee while Ben and I went to the park. When I returned, M threw out that we had another wrinkle. His boss had missed her flight and due to something weird in Seattle, couldn't get another that would ascertain she would make the press conference. So now, M was on his own.

Turns out that there was a pre-paid non-refundable hotel room booked for his boss, so the three of us had a Capitol view Monday night. It meant M didn't have to leave at 5am to get there on time and Ben enjoyed watching the cars go by from our 10th floor room. He thought the elevators were the highest form of entertainment too. He hadn't ridden in one where you can watch the view as you ascend. Friends joined us for Monday Night Football in our room (though most of us only made it through half of it). In true D.C. style, there was no bed in the room (just a fold-out couch) but there was a TV in the bathroom. We find little things like this so entertaining.

The press conference went well and from there we headed toward the airport and home. Ben was an awesome little traveler, taking a nap for the first hour and then playing with his backpack of plane toys. I inadvertently stole a spoon from United First Class. I asked to use one for my little soup thing I had brought on board and saved it in case Ben wanted to eat his. I ultimately forgot I had it until I was unpacking at home. Next time I fly United I will return it (if I remember).