D.C. Take Two

A few years ago we were living in Altus, Oklahoma for a few months while Jake was attending KC-135 training. Jacob was 10 years old. I grew up with 6 sisters and my only brothers were much younger than me. Boys were always an enigma and as my son approached adolescence, he was no different. I wasn't sure how to relate to him, nor him to me. Jake and I decided that Jacob and I should take some time alone together, away from the rest of the family to help our relationship.  After much discussion, Jacob and I chose Washington D.C. as our destination. Neither of us had been there and we both had a deep interest in history and so it was a logical choice.

It was unbeknownst to me at the time, but a tradition was born. A year or so ago when Joshua turned 10, he started to ask when he and I were going to take a mother/son trip.  This time we decided to invite friends and their mothers to enjoy the fun.  And so here we are, Saturday morning at 6:30 am in our hotel room in Washington D.C., all dressed up and ready to leave shortly for a tour of the White House.

We've been here since Wednesday afternoon. Our trip here was three flights and 17 hours. We were exhausted. My sister and her son arrived a few hours after we did and our adventure began. We've been non stop walking and exploring. There have been high points and low points. Foolishly I tried a new pair of shoes and was rewarded with 4 spanking new blisters for my trouble. That's been slightly inconvenient.  And I left my wallet on the trolley after our tour yesterday. I wish I was kidding. It was found and returned with nothing missing within two hours and I have to say that I am thankful for honest people and answered prayers!

Joshua high points include:  A new fedora from Hard Rock Cafe. He looks so dapper! An hour long spy operation adventure at the International Spy Museum with his cousin. He's crazy excited for The Air and Space Museum. He's been asking to go every day since we got here. Unfortunately it's on the schedule for our last day. He loves the pizza place next door. Our guide shared ghost stories on our Capitol tour and I don't think he'll ever forget them. He thinks it's cool that our trolley delivered us home to our hotel both times we rode it. (Special treatment!) He's anticipating meeting the First Lady or her children while we are at the White House today. He figures the President is probably to busy.

It's time to walk out the door, but I'll leave you with some pictures of our visit so far...