A Chocolate Good Time

Mekhi and I had a wonderful time this weekend while enjoying our first vacation alone. Our whirlwind visit to the Capital City was fun and exciting. In the days leading up to the trip I reminded Mekhi that were going to fly in an airplane and each time he looked at me with comprehension and a bit of excitement. The day of our trip he woke up bright and early, ready to begin our adventure. From our house to the airport he remained bright-eyed. Upon boarding the plane he was still filled with excitement but he is his mother's child and the drone of the airplane effected him like a sedative, he was asleep before we took flight. When we arrived in Washington, DC we were whisked to our luxurious hotel and soon set out to Georgetown for lunch. It was hot as Hades but my boy took it in stride. I think it was easier riding in a comfy car seat stroller than it was pushing said contraption. Anyhow, after a nice stop at Johnny Rockets -- it was just too hot for me to continue my walk in pursuit of the perfect lunch- we briefly wandered Rock Creek Park and made our way back to the hotel to freshen up a bit. And now I shall seque into the purpose of our mini-vacation.

We were invited by Hershey's to check out the set of Night at The Museum and by "set" I am referring to The Smithsonian. The entire title of the film is Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. We were treated to a VIP tour of the museum after dark led by the curators of the Air and Space Museum. If you have traveled to the Smithsonian you know that it is quite popular and jam-packed on a normal day. Ten bloggers (Liz from Mom-101, Audrey from Mom Generations, Linda from Sundry Mornings, Colleen from Classy Mommy, Vicki from The Mummy Chronicles, Ali from Blissfully Domestic, Melissa from Suburban Bliss, Stephanie from And Twins Make Five and Trisha fom Mom Dot) and our children had the entire museum to ourselves. Although Mekhi was one of the youngest kids he loved seeing the airplanes and became quite attached to the photographer's camera. Perhaps I have a future pilot or photographer on my hands - maybe both! After the tour there was a viewing of the first movie back at the hotel and a smorgasbord of Hershey's treats(um, chocolate treats-Kisses,Reeses, almond joy, I'd continue but that would be torture, I did not indulge). Mekhi and I made it through the first half of the tour but returned to the hotel and let the older kids enjoy the rest of the night.

I was really impressed by everything about the trip and felt so honored to take part in this once in a lifetime experience. As if this was not enough, Hershey's held a Grand Prize drawing and two of the bloggers in attendance will be attending the Premiere of Night At The Museum at the Smithsonian and walk the red carpet. Please, don't hate me but I am one of the winners. My mother says that I need to play the lottery because I am so lucky - perhaps she is right!

Although we didn't actually spend a night at the museum, 5 lucky people and their families will be able to have the opportunity to attend the first ever sleepover at The Smithsonian. The contest runs from now until October 31, 2009. All you have to do is look inside specially marked candy bars to reveal a message printed inside - if it says "Congratulations! You found the keys to the museum!" you win the stated prize. The Grand Prize is a trip to Washington, DC for four, two nights accommodations, $500 in spending money, a VIP tour of the museum after dark and the option to sleep over in one of two galleries that the movie was filmed in. For more information visit Hershey's Night At The Museum website by clicking Here and you can also enter once daily in the "Unleash the Loot" sweepstakes to win the grand prize of $50,000 or one of 10 first prizes of $1,000 Visa Gift Card.