Washington D.C. -Day One!

We headed to Washington D.C. for a long weekend. We left Thursday the 23rd and came back Sunday night, the night before school started! We left Mandy with mom and dad, because we didn't think she'd really enjoy it and security is so much easier without a stroller! We all had a really great time.

The first thing we saw was Ford's Theater. I thought this would be a good place to take them given they already study Abraham Lincoln every year in school. They both liked it and really wanted to see a play there! They were closing the theater in a couple of weeks for a very instensive restoration. We then walked across the street to Peterson House where they took President Lincoln after he was shot. It's pretty cool to stand in the room where Lincoln died.

After the Lincoln tour, we began to stoll toward the White House because Thomas wanted to stand outside the gates and see if he could spot any snipers on the roof. Of course it was blazing hot, being August in D.C. As we were walking we came upon a rally/press conference on the steps of the D.C. building. We paused for a moment to see what they were rallying about and lo and behold it was an education rally about the D.C. school system. We hung around for a moment to see what they were saying when, I kid you not, a reporter approached us and asked if we were parents of kids in the school system. Scott explained that no, we were from Texas, but stopped because we were interested in hearing what they had to say about their schools. She then, still not kidding.....asked if she could interview him on camera about the national perception of D.C. schools! At this point I about fell over laughing and took the kids off to sit under a shade tree while Scott did the interview. She gets the camera and the mic all set up and I KID YOU NOT...the first question she asks him is..."What do you think of all the negative attention the media gives about our public schools?" Scott was in such shock, he was speechless!! He had to have her start again. After the interview was over, he gave her his card so she'd have his name and she asked what Friends was. He explained and she said, "Are you serious? Your just here sightseeing and happened upon this and you're the president and founder of this organization????" It was too much!! You know, it's moments like that when if you ever had any doubts that your not doing exactly what the Lord wants you to be doing, that smack you senseless and remind you that you are right where he wants you! I took a picture because I wasn't sure anyone would believe us if I didn't!!!After Scott's interview, we walked past the White House, where we sniper watched for a few minutes, but to no avail. We then walked to the WWII memorial. This is relatively new and I had never seen it. It's very well done, very peaceful. We strolled thru the park and visited the Korean War memorial, which is my favorite. I just love those silent soldiers marching in the rain with the ghostly reflections of their brothers in the granite.From there we went to the Lincoln Memorial and up all bijillion steps to visit Mr. Lincoln. From here we went over to the Vietnam Wall, which is also a favorite of mine for sentimental reasons.
We ended our day in Georgetown, with a Fantastic dinner a little whole in the wall Italian place with the best ravioli I've ever eaten!

We topped off our evening with a late night visit to see Mr. Jefferson. This is my favorite of all the memorials! I just love the view from the steps across the Tidal Basin and then seeing Thomas Jefferson standing tall watching over the city just takes my breath away. The kids also really enjoyed this and said they thought they liked it better than the Lincoln memorial, which has always been their favorite.

Blessings,

Leslie