Washington D.C. Meets the Nortons

So, the whole trip was really set for this year because the kids and I have spent the year studying history between the explorers and the early 1800s. Before the trip, we had just finished up the Revolutionary War and the creation of the Constitution. AND, the selection of a large tract of land from both Maryland and Virginia to be the home of the nation's capitol; you know, a spot in the "middle" of the country. Such foresight. ; )

So, considering we took one day and saw the Smithsonian American History museum, Union Station, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Senate and Supreme Court buildings, and the Botanical Gardens, what do you think the kids' favorite memory of D.C. is? Only if you guessed the mode of transporation that took us to all of those places (or if I've talked to you) would you have the correct answer! Yes, they love the Metro. Seven one-day passes to ride the subway was money well spent, let me tell 'ya. The rest was just icing on the cake for them.

The excitement of the day produced well-seasoned Metro riders.

What are we most interested in at the Smithsonian? Hmmm... I blame Eric.

We really, really want this Liberty Bell replica to ring.

No taxation without representation!

The irresistible urge to touch the cactus was only magnified when the mother said, "No, for goodness sake! Don't touch the cactus." The Botanical Gardens was an unplanned (Dad, looking for a shortcut) but very lovely stop.

Home Again, Home Again, Fiddle-Dee-Dee

I'm sure it's obvious to my huge reader base by now that blogging the vacation didn't go so well! Once I couldn't get pictures to post on here through Eric's phone, and once the wi-fi service at the resort was spotty at best, and...anyway, you get the point.

I am going to try to get a few stories/pics on here for posterity. A lot of our pictures ended up being on my mom's camera and Eric's phone, and I don't have all those on my computer yet, so I'll get that organized first and then tell the vacation in order. The pics I do have ready are of the wonderful friends we stayed with along the first few days of our trip. Thanks again, Carters and Cassadys!

Leaving our house on 1st day...ready to ride!

"NLC" back together...music could happen at any moment.


Everything we need to know we learned in 3rd grade.

all i have to say right now

70 degrees and sunny today!

trains, trains and automobiles

Whew! We've had a great but busy couple days. The best part has been enjoying the amazing hospitality of friends on our journey. Thank you to those who opened their homes and took in this vagabond 7.

Today, our nation's capital! It was great to see it all through their eyes as they matched up what they had read with what they were seeing. But, as we figured, their biggest excitement was riding the metro and mastering the stations. It was a great way to see the city.

Now, to sleep. In. And in. Will attempt pics from e's phone.

road trip!

Awesome time with dear friends last night to start the trip.

Just paid $3.65 for gas.

Snowy mountains of west Virginia. Beautiful!

A Packing Haiku

Take this, don't take that
Frustrating. Scream-inducing.
Honda minivan

My Sweet Seven-Year-Old

There is not a cliche available that I would not be willing to use tonight to describe how strange it is that my youngest child is 7. We so love our humming, cuddly, cat-carrying, twig-thin, not-a-morning-girl, hugging, doesn't-know-a-stranger Leah. Happy Birthday, girl!