Spring is far and away my favorite season in DC. I love watching everything wake up and see color come back into the world after months of winter, and all the gorgeous spring flowers fill me with ridiculous levels of joy. It’s my favorite time of year to visit some of my favorite floral destinations in DC: the National Arboretum, Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. When Sophie was on Spring Break a couple of weeks ago, we spent an afternoon wandering around the Dogwood Collection and Asian Collection at the National Arboretum – and I brought my big camera along to document the gorgeousness around us. It was pretty much the perfect time to visit: the dogwoods and azaleas were both in full bloom along with the camellias and bluebells, and the peonies were just starting to make an appearance!
I love visiting the Arboretum year-round, but there’s just something special about early spring at the National Arboretum. Sophie was in heaven with all the pink flowers blooming everywhere. She even ran up to a giant pink azalea bush to give it a hug! I’m so happy that my sweet girl inherited my love for flowers.
Other than the flowers, Sophie loved exploring all the different paths and trails within the garden collections. She made sure we went on every single path in the Asian Collection at least once, and two or three times for a couple of favorite paths that felt like secret fairy trails through all the flowers and greenery.
Oh, and yes, we wear our tiara EVERYWHERE these days. To explore garden trails. To the splash pad. Even to school! People often ask if it’s her birthday, and I love telling complete strangers that it’s part of her everyday attire these days. Four and a half is such a magical age.
p.s. Autumn at the National Arboretum, Fall Foliage Destinations in DC, and the Gardens of Dumbarton Oaks