Day 2 - Washington DC Field Trip

Got up early for breakfast. We had a lovely tour of the White House. I got the "special tour". I had to use the bathroom really bad (it was an emergency), so I asked one of the female security guards who said to follow her. She was very nice, she took me through the back rooms to the bathroom. We passed a doorway that was burned from the fires of 1814 when the British stormed the White House and Capitol buildings. She also showed me the flower shop which was right next to the bathroom. She pointed out where the bowling alley was. I asked if we could see it, but she said it was guarded and closed. Then I joined the rest of our tour where the other ladies were so jealous...

Then off to Ford's theater to see where President Lincoln was shot. We got pretty good seats up in the balcony for the Park Ranger's speech. The Presidential Box was right across from us. Then lunch at Union Station. After lunch, we had a tour of the Capitol Building. And what a tour it was!! The Deputy Chief of the Capitol Police was our tour guide! We actually got to go ONTO the Senate and House floors. Where the Congressmen actually sat! We saw Marco Rubio's desk in the Senate (back left, couldn't sit down in there), and we sat down in the front in the House of Representatives while he told us all about it. Then he showed us the Vice President's Waiting Room and took us through were the Congressmen's offices were. We saw the Rotunda and the Whispering Room (everyone gets to see these), and they took us out on the patio where no one gets to go. It was amazing!! Then, it was after hours so we had to leave right away. We got to go down the stairs that the British rushed up to burn the Capitol in 1814, although the guard told us not to touch the walls. So cool!

Next up was a visit to the Washington Monument. We didn't get to go up because we didn't have tickets, but it was nice to hear all the stories. Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe where I got my usual guitar pin. And finally, we visited some more memorials: the Lincoln, Vietnam Veteran, and Korean. I was in a panic because I left my phone back at the Hard Rock!! But fortunately, the bus driver (Patrick) ran me back there to pick it up. Then I joined the rest of the group and saw the Lincoln and Korean Memorials.

Day 1 - Washington DC Field Trip

Got up early to leave for Washington DC. It's the Sixth Grade Field Trip!! I'm going with Chris, we're going to have fun. Kathy Mills' husband Robert is taking us to the airport, and we'll all be rooming together. Well, just with Kathy and Avery, her husband is not actually going to DC.
After the flight, we went straight away to Arlington National Cemetary. It's beautiful! We saw all the headstones lined up nice and even, and some of the older ones that were all over the place. We saw JFK's grave and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
While we were there, we watched the changing of the guard. And one of the guards came over and yelled at one of the kids in our group because he was a little bit over the line.

Then we had lunch at the Pentagon Mall. From the Mall, we rode the Metro to the National Archives where we saw the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. After that we went to Union Station where we had pizza and pasta at Uno's Grill.

Finally, we saw the Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Iwo Jima Marine Memorials.Then off to the hotel were we checked in and basically fell into bed fast asleep. We were sharing a room with Kathy and Avery who basically did the same thing.

Mini Mesters

Chris had Mini Mesters today in school. That's where the students go to a business or a special fun class. Chris was chosen for the Ice Cream Junction. Now, this business was an ice cream joint, asian restaurant, and karaoke bar. He did have fun!

Easter

Had a lovely Easter day. First was church, I was upstairs running the Easy Worship. Then home to clean up a bit. I helped Chris with one of his school projects, we made a Brazilian flag with the sewing machine. Finally, we all made a wonderful dinner. I made the ham. Jean-Luc did the mashed potatoes from scratch. Chris made the deviled eggs and asparagus. Anton made the green bean casserole. And Bill made brushetta and corn.

Golf

Played golf at the Savannahs again today. Jean-Luc had a free lesson, so the rest of us went out on the course. I got to ride with Chris. Yes, he did his usual crying and whining. Definitely need to get him a lesson to help him from hitting so far to the right.

Source Code

Saw the movie Source Code last night. It was pretty good with a trippy ending.

Baseball

Catching up with Baseball post:

Chris has played 2 games! They played the Dodgers and the Rockies. They were both pretty close games, but our boys could not seem to hit the ball consistently. During the Dodgers game, he played as catcher the whole game, did pretty well. And last night against the Rockies, his tummy hurt, so he only played 3 innings. He bunted and got on with an error, and he caught a fly ball in left field. He also played two innings at second base.

The game last night that Anton's played, they won against the PSJ Mets. He got two hits! He was on fire! He played catcher the entire game, doing a pretty good job.

I leave you with two team photos of the Phillies... They are scamps!!

Ireland Photo Book

A photo book with our recent trip to Ireland!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Manatees

They won!! They finally won!! Went to the Manatees game last night with Anton's Robotics club. We stayed for most of the game, but had to leave in the 7th inning because of school the next day. They played the Yankees (not the New York team), and they won!

Golf

Finally played on a real golf course yesterday!! We played 13 holes at the Savannahs. Bill, Jean-Luc, and I. There's some hugemongous alligators and turtles roaming the ponds there. I started off terrible, but was hitting fairly well when we quit. Jean-Luc actually hit two houses!! Here's the scores and some photos:

Baseball

Saturday was a total baseball day. First, we had Anton's game. Then, Chris's game. Then Bill and I went to a Manatee's game.

First, Anton's games. Last Wednesday's game was a killer for the Phillies, 21-5 for the Rays. Let's not talk about that one. Ever. Saturday was a much better day for the Phillies against the Braves, 11-10 Phillies. Anton didn't do so well in the hitting department, but he did lay down a beautiful sacrifice bunt. He also got to play third base and shortstop.

Then, Chris's game. Chris got to play left field the whole game. He also got a bona fide hit!! Sadly, the Dodgers won 7-6 in a very close game.

Chris went camping with Matthew after the game, and Jean-Luc and Anton finagled their way over to the Chandler's house for the evening. Bill and I went to the Manatees game. Wish they'd win one game I go to...

Baseball

This is to catch up on my baseball postings. First game in April, Chris played left field for two innings and had one at bat, but his team won against the Yankees. Next game, he played two innings in left field, then second, then back to left field. He had two plate appearances, but didn't get on, and his team lost to the Braves. Finally, last night, they beat the Braves in 4 innings. Chris only played two innings in left field, but he had a great fly ball catch. He had two plate appearances where he got on both times and scored once.Anton has had two games since April began. The first one against the Rays they lost, but Anton got to pitch. The second one on Saturday they also lost.

Click on the title to see the season pics so far.

Battle Los Angeles

Saw Battle Los Angeles today. It was pretty good with lots of action through the whole thing. Anton loved it!

Galway in Ireland

Went round the Connemara Marble Factory, found some beautiful jewelry. Then went out to the country and saw the "Quiet Man" bridge and a stream in a peat bog.Spent the afternoon in Galway visiting the Galway Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church. Had lunch at a nice chinese food place, then spent some time in Sally Long's pub.Went to bed early to get ready to fly home. Can't believe it's already over! Click the title to see all the photos.

Bunratty Castle and Galway in Ireland

Bunratty Castle was first on the agenda today. Now this is what I imagined a castle to be! All the floors were even and the stairs, while still narrow, were easier to navigate. It was pretty big and furnished in pieces from the period. There was a small village recreation that was fun to explore. Next up was The Burren visitor center and lunch. The Burren is a barren stretch of land that has been sculped by multiple underwater sessions and glaciers. After that we visited the Cliffs of Mohr. Absolutely stunning! And finally, we ended up in Galway. Took in a few beers in the hotel pub before retiring.