Nothing says “We Are Homeschoolers!” like a hand holdin’…lunch packin’…sight seein’…walk till you drop-in’…

FIELD TRIP!

The Hubs and I have wanted to take the kids to Washington, D.C. (the place where the spark began!) for a while now, and this past weekend felt like the perfect opportunity. 

So we drove to Annapolis for some free lodging, (much needed) grandparent snuggles,

and sand DIGGING.

The latter of which being a necessity whenever a beach is in our Little Boys’ shovel-loving-radius.

Hugs squeezed, holes dug, bellies filled, and backpacks packed, we readied ourselves for our attack on Washington, D.C.!

The metro was our mighty chariot, and despite this Mama’s hand wringing and fear of small spaces, it all went just fine. 

(Even if I was abandoned by the train and my fellow travelers for a few minutes when I had to pop out for a *necessary* bathroom stop. Thereby forcing this Claustrophobic Commuter to ride ALONE for a spell so that I could catch up. But I did and they waited and all was good.)

FEARS FACED.

(MY) PEOPLE FOUND.

CUDDLES DELIVERED.

(And maybe the lessons in life turn out to be not just for the children…)

But I digress.  Back to our journey.

A bunch of metro stops (and snacks) later, we made it!

And it was cold! 

But no cold weather front was going to stop this band of FIELD TRIPPIN’ WAYFARERS.

Off to the Smithsonian Museums we went.

First to the Air and Space Museum…

Which had a great Wright Brothers exhibit (alas, no relation), a lunar spacecraft with an “awkward” (Little Mister’s word) astronaut shower inside, and tons of connections to our Classical Conversations cycle 2 studies this year.  Solar system!  Planets!  Rockets!  Light!  Gravity!  Famous scientists!  World explorers! 

It was very cool.

Next up was a quick jaunt to the American Indian Museum.  We hope to spend more time there in a future trip, when we are studying native American tribes.  But we wanted to briefly let the Littles check out their famed “Interactive Space.”

And I mean, really, who can turn down a life-sized fluffy llama?

Not us, that’s who. 

The Littles enjoyed having their “Passports” stamped at each of the tribe locations.

(Ever listen to the melodic vibrations of multitudes of children jamming down stamps with all of the gusto and verve that they can muster?  Oh yes.  Just like sweet nectar to a caffeine-deprived parent’s soul.)

And the Hubs enjoyed locating the flag for his uncle’s tribe – the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe of Washington state.

After a little break to re-boost and re-fuel our engines…

We made our final stop for the day at the Natural History Museum.

This place is amazing!  We could have easily spent all weekend there. 

Dinosaurs, Mammals, Sea Creatures (Narwhals!), Diamonds, Gemstones, Insects…OH MY!  

Super cool.

We hopped the metro back to Annapolis and crashed (with some delightful seafood in our bellies…thanks Nena!). 

Suffice to say, there was no Littles’ Chatter in the kids’ room at Nena and Pop’s house that night.

And then…it was DAY 2 of FIELD TRIP-O-RAMA!

Monument day.

First thing’s first.

George Washington monument.  Or, if you ask the Little Sir, “The Big Pencil.”

Then the World War II monument, where we talked about the Little’s great grandfathers and the many sacrifices that they and so many others made so we could live in peace.

Next we strolled along the Reflecting Pond.

(With Ma and Pa Wright cajoling their Little Crew to “stay out of the water!”  All while imagining how uncomfortable and COLD this day would be if a certain Small Person – or 3 – fell in and soaked themselves.  I know, I know.  Party Poopers.)

We arrived at the Abraham Lincoln memorial, where we talked about the inspiration of ancient Greek buildings and democracy, the fortitude of Old Abe during the Civil War, and the eloquence and truth of Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream speech that he gave from those very steps. 

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?”…No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

(Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address)

Inspired and ready to be free of the crowds (read: Littles Must Wiggle!), we sauntered down the other side of the Reflecting Pond, passing the Vietnam War memorial.  Later, we glimpsed the White House and the Littles got to witness their first protest. 

They practiced their most “presidential poses” and talked about what it would be like to win the 2048 election for President (Little Miss), Vice President (Little Mister), and Deputy Cutie Pants (okay, maybe the Little Sir didn’t pick that title).

We wrapped things up with one more hop over to the Natural History Museum, this time with Aunt Laura and Uncle Jon!

And that was a wrap!

We did it!  Washington, D.C…you are awesome. 

And you can bet your cutie pants, we will be back!