National Gallery Sculpture Garden... Boo. Hiss.

Is there anything more sad than a boy stuck OUTSIDE a carousel?

Oh don't worry! We let him on! And of all the delightfully authentic horses on the Smithsonian Carousel, James chose (drumroll please....) THE BENCH. Yup, chose it from OUTSIDE the fence, waited in line for his turn and then raced to ride THE BENCH. No up and down, no fake reigns to hold, no seatbelt. Our kid loves THE BENCH.

Although, maybe he is wiser than his years would imply because this is how FAST that carousel was going. Have you ever seen such a fast carousel??

Obviously, James needed a long night of sleep after a vigorous day of bench riding so we called the babysitter and hit the town. Here we are out to dinner (like real people!) with Aunt Cathy - in town for a fun visit to celebrate her 29th birthday. Oh, to be young again...

Oh wait. Here's something more sad than the carousel. Here is a lovely fountain just outside the National Gallery Sculpture Garden where James was having a grand old time walking the perimeter with Daddy. Until... the security guard told him to get down.

Not to be deterred from our sculpture-loving fun, we roamed the garden and thought it would be "oh so funny" if James stood on the sign that says, "do not touch or climb on the artwork." That was hilarious until.... the security guard came by and told him to get down because, "that's not a good idea, son."

And so, here it is, a truly sad picture of poor defeated James.

Boo.

Hiss.