The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC kicked off on March 20 and in its first weekend, they held an event called Family Day at the National Building Museum, where children of all ages could participate in making crafts inspired by Japanese culture and also enjoy performances such as taiko and dance on the stage. We went on Sunday afternoon and Mio really enjoyed all the creative activities that she got to participate in (with some help from us, of course).

NCBF Family Day
NCBF Family Day at the National Building Museum

 

They had some characters that you could take pictures with, and we thought for sure Mio’d like seeing Cookie Monster, but to our surprise, she burst into tears! This is what I’ve come to call “the Santa Claus effect”… (Strange, because she loved meeting the Sesame Street characters at Dan’s company picnic last year.)

 

Mio didn't want to meet Cookie Monster.
Mio didn’t want to meet cookie monster.

 

Trying to salvage the photo opportunity...
Trying to salvage the photo opportunity…

 

Our first craft activity was to decorate cherry blossom trees with glitter and popcorn.
Our first craft activity was to decorate cherry blossom trees with glitter and popcorn.

 

Mio at NCBF Family Day

 

 

Mio placing the popcorn "blossoms" on the tree.
Mio placing the popcorn “blossoms” on the tree.

 

The finished cherry blossom tree!
The finished cherry blossom tree!

 

NCBF Family Day
At the next craft table, we made a cha-shitsu, or Japanese tea room, by assembling and decorating a box.

 

Mio loved using the stamps!
Mio loved using the stamps!

 

Our collaborative creation!
Our collaborative cha-shitsu creation!

 

At another table, creating a Japanese garden out of pipe cleaners and tissue paper.
At another table, creating a Japanese garden out of pipe cleaners and colored tissue paper.

 

The completed Japanese garden!
The completed Japanese garden!

 

We took a break to watch the taiko performance.
We took a break to watch the taiko performance.

 

Mio was actually really interested!
Mio was actually really interested!

 

Posing with the huge cherry blossom balloons behind us.
Posing with the huge cherry blossom balloons behind us.

 

While I was feeding Mirei, Dan took Mio to do some additional crafts...
While I was feeding Mirei, Dan took Mio to do some additional crafts…

 

Mio fell asleep on the way home in the Metro. It's been a while since she's fallen asleep in my arms like this!
Mio fell asleep on the way home in the Metro. It’s been a while since she’s fallen asleep in my arms like this!

 

We didn’t really take any photos of Mirei during the event, but she definitely kept us busy with several trips to the bathroom on her first trip to DC. She had two up-the-backer poops (resulting in two outfit changes) and also spit up all over my shirt! Of course, these things always happen at the most inopportune times. After a very messy afternoon, though, Mirei flashed us her first real smile as we were pushing the stroller  through the Metro station on our way home from the event. Dan chuckled, “Awww she’s so cute!” and quickly pulled out the camera and captured the moment:

Mirei smiling
Mirei’s first smile! (Unfortunately, the picture is a little blurry…)

 

It was a very eventful and memorable day for the whole family!