I have the day off for Columbus day and
Zander’s school is closed. After checking online to be sure all of these options were open, I gave him some choices of things to do today (National Zoo,
Reston Zoo, Air and Space Museum, National Building Museum, train bookstore). He asked a few questions and then decided on the National Building Museum.
A BummerNext, I call my friend Laura to see if
Champe would be interested in joining too. So,
Zander and I go to pick up
Champe and
Tine (the
Mitchell's Au Pair) and head down to the museum. I’m using our new GPS thingamabob mentioned in
this post and I am
still making wrong turns. Regardless, after what seemed like a long ride, we arrive at our destination and get a parking spot right in front of the building. We head in, go over to the “Building Zone” for kids and there is a sign saying the room has reached it’s capacity and we needed to wait on line. Fine. But, there were two guys standing at the entrance who said it’s actually closed for renovation so they can build a new
playhut and it would be open at 12:00pm. Fine. I tell Tine and the boys and then the guy corrects me – apparently I misheard and it will be open again on the 12
th of October. Bummer. I bitch and moan about that information not being on the website and the young guy is somewhat apologetic but not really. Here’s how it goes from there:
Me:
“Who can I complain to?” [Tine occupies the boys with toys from the diaper bag in the big room and they are fine.]
Guy:
“I guess someone at the Information Desk.” [I walk over the information desk.]
Me: "
It’s really a bummer that we headed all the way here and the kid’s room is closed."
Nice Information Desk Lady: "
It’s closed???!! I’ve been sending people over there all morning!"[Nice Information Desk Lady walks over to confirm that it is, indeed, closed. She returns.]
Nice Information Desk Lady: "
You’re right. It’s closed." [At this point, I notice a little sign on the information desk about being able to rent some kind of family activity kit.]
Me: "
Where can I get the family activity kit?"Nice Information Desk Lady: "
Back at the entrance to the Building Zone."‘I was Flustered’
At this point, I walk back over to the entrance of the Building Zone and ask about renting the kit, ready to push for a free one. But, then I think, hey, this is a museum and it's only $5.00. I do say to the guy, “Were you going to tell me about the activity kits?” He says, “I was flustered.” Now I just feel bad. But wait. It gets better.
They are out of kits for the younger crowd, so I leave with one for seven year
olds and up, complete with a hammer, nails, safety goggles, measuring tape, compass, etc. I know that both boys have worked with hammers and nails at school, so I figure we’ll try it out.


The boys are busy with the kit so I take the opportunity to scout out options for the rest of the museum. I pass the museum store and was pulled in by a force greater than myself (probably the immensely powerful shopping gene that runs on the maternal side of my family). Anyway, I found something I thought would be a good toy for the boys to kill some time. I talk to the man who works there, telling him my sad story. He says, “The Building Zone is closed?” And then tells his associate that it is closed and not to send anyone else there.
Sheesh. But, he’s a nice guy and also tells his associate to give me 20% off anything for my trouble.
Fast Food and the Football-Jersey-Stick-Up ThingThe boys play quite happily and then run around the huge hall having a blast. The Nice Information Desk Lady gave some suggestions for lunch places. We soon head out to one and cannot find the place she directed us to. After carrying two whining three year
olds (okay, just
Zander was whining), we cut our losses and go to Burger King. The boys both wanted kid’s meals with a cheeseburger, french fries, and chocolate milk. (Sorry Laura.) I notice there is a Little Tykes logo on the menu and it says that alternative toddler toys are available for the younger crowd. I request those since I
didn’t think the boys would be that interested in the football- jersey-car-stick-up thing that comes with the regular kids I notice
I look in the bags and what’s there but a football-jersey-stick-up thing. I ask about the toddler toys and the manager looks at me and says, “I have no idea what you are talking about.” I point to the Little Tykes logo. “There! Up on your menu.” He disappears into the back and we all sit and have lunch. About half way through, he comes over with some type of mini plastic
piñata thing that has a flip book inside. Both boys promptly forget about their lunches and become engrossed with the toys. (Regardless, it was nice of him to dig something up for them. And, bonus, we left with both toys. Ha, ha, Burger King, we got two toys.

On the way home, the boys discover the second toy in their respective bags. Tine puts them together and both boys
looooooove the silly football-jersey-stick-up thing. Who knew? We zip down I395 making good time (which is usually impossible) trying to get the boys home for their naps. Oops, traffic is crawling on I495 in the MIDDLE OF THE DAY ON A MONDAY. Finally, we drop
Champe and Tine off and head home.
Zander is asleep before we get to our exit. He wakes up as I carry him up to his room and has not been asleep a wink since.
I decide to check the National Building Museum website and there is, in fact, a message about the “Building Zone” being closed. I could insist that it
wasn’t there this morning, but I’m just not sure about that. So, instead I will just say that it’s
not prominent enough. It's all
their fault, of course.
http://www.nbm.org/Exhibits/current/building_zone.html