My apologies for not posting this sooner.  Things have been slightly busy (OK, I am lying.  It's been crazy!!)  This is a picture of me on Day Three of the Washington, D.C. trip.  A fellow chaperone told me to look like I was doing something important.  I am not sure if that's how it came out, but oh well.

On day three of the trip we first wen tot the gorgeous World War II Memorial.  We then walked all around the historic White House, including the visitors' center.  After this we walked to the metro (subway) station.  This is where the blood pressure of each chaperone escalates.  We get on during the mad lunch hour and pray we don't lose any kids.

Our Metro stop took us to the Pentagon.  Here we go through strict security which the kids think is cool.  Neatly dressed (and young) military members from each service branch took us around the Pentagon in smaller groups.  The tour guides must walk backwards and memorize 20-30 pages of material to get the job.  It is an event in itself to see them do this.  After our tour, we once again boarded the Metro to Pentagon City Mall for lunch.

That afternoon we visited the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.  Not my favortie place because I am a History teacher, but if you like bugs, dinosaurs and diamonds, this is the place for you.  Our fanciest meal of the trip took place after this at Phillips Seafood Restaurant on the waterfront.  Then we walked around the beautiful rooftop of the Kennedy Center and took some great photos of the kids.

After our return to the hotel, we met with a secret Service agent, who was the cousin of one of my students.  he is a firearms instructor for the SS, and has also guarded Vice President Cheney and President Bush.  Very cool stuff indeed.

On day four we visited the Lincoln Memorial, and the Korea and Vietnam Memorials.  The weather was perfect and those three places never cease to be sad, inspiring and moving all at the same time.  We finished the touring with visits to the American History (my favorite) and Air and Space Museums.

Four days after returning, I am still recovering mentally and physically.  But as always, I am already thinking about our next trip to the nation's capital :)