Family Vacation - Day 1

This entire year the younger kids have been studying Early American History, and Jeffrey and I also finished a U.S. Government course spring semester. In January we started making plans to visit Washington D.C. for the annual Cherry Blossom festival this April. I have always been passionate about American history, and the founding fathers. I love this country! Much of that was reinforced heavily with visits to the capital when I was little, and in high school. When I walk down the streets I can hear my dad's voice telling us all the great stories. I was so excited to be taking my kids there .... this is my dream vacation! Thank goodness for technology
Oh and Dan Brown. That was a seriously short 5 hour flight!

When we got into town we found GREEN BUDS. GREEN. No flowers. Cabbie promised by the end of the week it would be all in the pink. Our hotel was also seriously undersized. The most amazing beds, but we had to walk on them to get to the bathroom. That wasn't going to work for a family of 8 for a week. So Glen got online and rented us two cars, and two adjoining suites in Alexandria for less than our first two tiny rooms. We had two living rooms, lots of beds, a desk and a full kitchen. It was a totally awesome environment! I enjoyed spending time together in this little spot as much as any other part of the vacation.

Sam and I set off to find food for the week, and had the interesting challenge of getting it all upstairs on the dolly.

Dad and the kids practiced riding the subway, and setting the tone for the week at the White House!