Here are the people from the trip on the steps of the Capitol! We are missing on chaperone, he took the picture. This is the group! Our matching shirts really set us apart. I'll admit I wasn't a fan of wearing these bright things in DC. But, it was a great idea. I feel like people responded to the fact that we were a large group and helped us out.
So, first of all we went to the Capitol. We had to meet our person from Rick Nolan's office to give us a tour. This was the only place we had a "real" tour guide. he brought us through the capitol, showing us various things in the Rotunda and other parts to give us an idea of where things were. it was interesting to me, because I love that crap. To the kids? Maybe not. But, they will appreciate it at some point. Or maybe not. And that's ok. We took them there!
After the main tour we had passes to go see the House in action. We had a dictator, I mean director guide us up to the chambers. Before that, though, some of our kids were tired and sat down on the floor to wait. Ooops -- apparently it's a form of a protest so we were told to get up right away. Didn't need to have us on the news! I couldn't even pretend I wasn't with them, because we all wore those shirts! Back to the dictator. She wasn't happy to have to lead us to the chamber. She made sure that we could all walk up four flights of steps and be quiet in a single line. Rachel and I, as always, led the pack. Everything was great until about that third flight. holy cow was that a long way! My legs were burning, my chest was on fire... I had to hope that they wouldn't want me to talk when we got up there!! Rachel and I were told to form two straight lines to go through security up there. We did -- but I guess when it came to the caboose, Juanalee said she was just hoping they would all make it without any assistance from her! hahahaha. So, through another set of security checks we went. There was security everywhere. They looked in bags, you had metal detectors in nearly every building. I didn't hear much for complaining about it, but when someone did I explained that this is a GOOD thing... like getting asked for your id when you're old. Just do it!
We got to watch the House in session. We sat down, and got then got the all rise memo. We stood as the House leader read the agenda (very short) then we joined in a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Amy said it best when she said, it was all worth it to say the Pledge of Allegiance in the house chambers in Washington DC. That was so cool. Then when it was over, we expected to go back down to the Visitor center.
An agent (I say that because moments before Eric and I saw him talking to his watch... how cool is that???) told us that we were to be escorted directly to the south exit. When we got there, we were told that there was a suspicious bag inside and we all needed to leave because they were evacuating the Capitol. Again, how cool is that?? Everyone was outside and all kinds of men in black were talking to their watches. I'm not sure that everyone realized what was happening. So, Eric and I led everyone to the next destination. The Supreme Court building. We spent some time wandering there and then it was on to the bus again.
The bus brought us to a place for lunch called Au Bon Pain. Kind of a chain type soup/sandwich shop there. The weather was beautiful and we ate and took a little break. After that we were heading to the National Archives. The best line I heard was from a student named Kirk -- he said, Kandi, is the Declaration of Independence really here? I said it absolutely is. he was in awe. I got a little teared up because that was what I had hoped for this whole trip. Seeing the documents was amazing. It was dark and no photos were allowed. You could actually still see John Hancock's signature!
When we were done with that we walked over to the Smithsonian Castle. The starting spot of all the museums. We chose to do Air and Space first. It wasn't my first choice but it was away from everyone else. I had been having a tough time with a few people being nay-sayers and whining about things. I put too much time into this trip to be second guessed. Seriously people -- go with it. I don't need a medal, but just be quiet if you can't say anything nice!!
Luckily, Kirk was with us. he just thought things were amazing! He bought Astronaut Ice Cream. And loved it!
Here you see me, and the best tourist of our group, Kirk, in front of the image of Orville and Wilbur Wright. At this museum we saw the actual plane that flew in 1903 at Kitty Hawk. Amazing!! I remember thinking man my feet hurt at this point -- little did I know that this was our "slow" day!
After we did this museum tour we were going to be picked up to go to the Kennedy Center. They had a band for us to enjoy. And ENJOY WE DID!!! The band was called the Mike Dillon band. There was Mike Dillon, the percussionist. Then a lady named Carly who played trombone, danced, sang a little and blew a whistle. Yep, a whistle, like refs use. There was a bass player and a drummer too. This was the most entertaining thing of the whole trip!
When they came out they played some song and the lady was dancing all over while playing her trombone. She'd set the trombone down and blow the whistle. I started to giggle, then so did Rachel. Then Sarah and Juanalee. This was like nothing anyone had every seen. They played punk rock (with a trombone and drums... yep) mixed with something else. The kids looked at the chaperones to see if they should like it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Cracked me up. At one point I made eye contact with Lauren and she mouthed -- I'm afraid! --. The best song was called Chef Boyardee. And in it they said Chef Boyardee had a baby and made reference to Top Ramen noodles. It was a crack up from beginning to end. Megan said she felt a little bad laughing and I said, they want to entertain. And entertain they did! I guess you can get a copy of it, and I will try. oh man, I'm laughing right now! I think the kids will all remember that forever!
After the performance, we went to the top of the Kennedy Center to see the view of the city. While there it started to rain. pour, actually. The kids were out playing in the rain and having a great time. At one point a boy took off his shirt to wring it out and the kids were laughing and frolicking in the rain. Eric and I looked at the building, and there was a dining hall full of black-tie dressed people trying to enjoy dinner. I told the kids to get inside and I tried to pretend I wasn't with them... Kathy pointed out, no way, we are all dressed the same! hahahahah. oh boy, it was something else.
We went back to the hotel at this point. The kids went swimming or hung out outside or just sat. They seemed thoroughly happy. We ordered pizza and they got dinner.
I, on the other hand, sat in the hallway. I couldn't open my door! The mechanism for the door ran out of batteries. does that ever happen? not according to maintenance. They had to use a coat hanger. SERIOUSLY, a Coat Hanger, to reach under the door and try to open it. We sat in the hall for an hour. I just went with it. At least I was sitting! I was glad it happened to me and not some of the other rooms... just saying. Juanalee and Rachel were kind enough to come join me for pizza in the hall. Some others weren't so kind and they laughed. Oh well, what can I do?
At long last we were in our room. The girls ran to the shower, and chose their beds. I got to be in a king sized bed with two girls. The middle one (Lauren) rolled all night like a hot dog on a roller. not restful, but hey, we are in DC!!!
To close out Friday, I'll leave you this picture of the kids that were with us at Air and Space. We took a little break on the National Mall to soak up the sun. And yes, this was all on FRIDAY! and it was the short day!!!
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