Read a book, Take a look...

It's reading rainbow..reading rainbow...actually it wasn't reading rainbow but it was the DC Book Festival this weekend.  For years, I have always driven by, seeing it on the Smithsonian lawn while on my way to something else and never really stopped by, even though I knew there were all sorts of books and authors there.  Somehow though, when you're a visitor in your own home, and also once you have a child, you check things out that you've so often glossed over.  So this year we finally made it.

Becuase we came with the diplo-tot in tow, we hung mostly to the children's tents and pavilions, though there were programs for all ages.  Some characters are beloved that you'll recognize from your own storybook days: Clifford the Red Dog, Curious George...but then there are also clearly new players on the scene: Lunchlady, Dora...and my favorite, Hip Hop Harry who spouts out kid-friendly PSA's about sharing and drinking water and washing your hands while the DJ drops old school beats (I think mainly for the benefit of the parents) from Missy Elliot, Run DMC and a bunch of other things you'll be convinced you haven't heard since college.

And getting out on to the mall (national mall that is) actually became a great opportunity to try a few new other things. While walking to the festival, we caught some of the parade and yummy grilled corn from "Fiesta DC" for Hispanic Heritage Month.  In addition to paraders and musicians, they had all the classic street food, including fresh granitas and the little popsicle ice cream carys with little bells that I haven't seen since we lived in inner city Chicago when I was a little girl. 

We capped everything off with a lunch at the sculpture park pavilion, soaking up those last rays of sunshine before the cool fall night air set in...