Daria's Day: Fun School Trip to D.C.

A group of about 100 students and their parents and teachers from Summer's 5th through 8th grade class at school took a trip to Washington D.C. last week. In order for the students to take part they had to pick a topic related to D.C. and do a project on it. The students then finished up their project by visiting the place related to the subject they focused on. Summer chose to study the Holocaust, so we visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum the day before we left for home. The teachers arranged for the students who focused on this topic to listen to a Holocaust survivor at the museum. We were so fortunate to have this powerful and unforgettable experience!
Obviously, Summer's topic was very intense, but we had plenty of fun while there as well. We walked for miles and miles, visited a couple of the Smithsonian Museums, the Spy Museum, the National Zoo, saw Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian at the IMAX theater, and loved hanging out with our amazing group of people from school. I must admit that spending so much time with Summer was my very favorite part of the trip!!
Enjoy some of the highlights from our 5 days in D.C.

We left at the crack of dawn and traveled all day in style in a couple of Mercedes busses. We arrived at the George Washington University dorms with plenty of time to unpack, dine on pizzas and take a big walking tour of the monuments in the evening.

Our little suite.

This poster for the H1N1 virus at the Pan American Health Organization building was like 10 stories tall.

Our fun little group in front of the Lincoln Memorial at sun down.

We found Vermont at the World War II Memorial.

Having some shadow fun at the Washington Memorial.

I can't decide which photo I liked better between the next two.

Any preference?

We were fortunate to be able to take a tour of our wonderful President's home on Wednesday. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip! No cameras allowed inside, unfortunately.

Summer and I spent a lot of time at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. There is simply too much to see at the museums. They are incredible!! We loved the live butterfly exhibit and hit this first, before the lines formed.

Summer monkeys around. : )

Did you know that koalas have 2 thumbs??

This one cracks me up!

Summer in the jaws of a great white...

I don't even know what to say about this...

Wake-up Sleepy...Snow White is looking for you!

On our way to the Capitol for a school group photo with Senator Patrick Leahy.

Double Dutch

This is about the spot that Andy and I stood to watch the Inauguration in January.

Some musical entertainment while we waited for the Senator.

Waiting...

My friend Marcy and me.

Someone volunteered to take a photo with Summer and me in it and they did a nice job!

still waiting...

Finally, the man of the hour, and one of my heroes, Senator Patrick Leahy. The student pictured with him rushed up to give him a big hug...it was adorable!

Julie Longchamp, a teacher, our extraordinary and fearless leader and chief organizer for the trip, listens to the Senator.

Some parents listen in too.

Summer and I enjoyed the National Museum of American History too. Do you recognize these slippers?

My favorite frog.

We happen to have a famous relative on my mother's side, George Armstrong Custer. This is the jacket he wore during his last stand...complete with blood stains.