After being cooped up indoors all winter, we’ve been trying to spend as much time outside as possible these days – at least until the oppressive DC summer heat and humidity set in. Over the past couple of weekends we visited one of our favorite DC spots – the Gardens at Dumbarton Oaks – and took Sophie on her first strawberry picking adventure at a nearby pick-your-own farm. She enjoyed exploring the grounds of Dumbarton Oaks, but I’m pretty sure the afternoon of strawberry picking is her definition of the Best Day Ever.

Sophie particularly loved the fountain – and fish! – located within the Ellipse at the center of the gardens. And while we sadly missed most of the spring flowers like peonies, lilacs, and tulips, the roses and iris were at peak bloom during our visit. Heavenly.

Our strawberry picking adventure started with feeding clover to the goats and saying hello to the farm’s piglets. Sophie has been really into learning animal names and sounds lately, so I’m pretty sure she would have been happy if the afternoon had ended here…

…but she was pretty stoked once we got to the strawberry fields. She spent a few minutes pointing out berries for us to pick – “Strawbey!” – and she also enjoyed carefully placing the picked strawberries into our bucket. It didn’t take long for her to start dipping into the accumulated pile of strawberries. Pure joy for this tiny toddler.

My people. I do love these two so very much.

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper (last photo via Instagram)