Day 4

Good morning, everyone. It's after midnight, and we just got in from our Broadway play. The kids really liked Mary Poppins - lots of fun.
This morning - after a great breakfast, finally - we headed to Battery Park and took a ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty and then to Ellis Island to see where all those immigrants came through. It was a quick visit, but was quite educational. Then we walked down Wall Street, saw the brass bull, and the old federal building where Washington was inaugerated as our first president, since New York was the capital of the US at that time.
We had lunch at the food trucks - my favorite thing to do in New York - then went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We really only had enough time to see a couple of exhibits, and then we went to Times Square for dinner and shopping.

Mmmm...ice cream...

Aniceto as the statue.

Cecilia on the ferry.

Tomorrow is a crazy long day, so I will say good night.

Day 3 cont.

A little after 11 p.m. and the kids are safely tucked into their rooms - not their beds, I'm sure.
We went up the Empire State building after finally getting to New York. The traffic was terrible, so we had to skip Pennsylvania. Bummer. But we were at the top of the ESB at sunset - totally cool.
We had dinner at The Palace Restaurant, and we 17 kind of had our own room with a wall of windows overlooking the street. It was good food and good company. Sabrina remarked, "We're like one big happy family." It was very touching. That was before Aniceto told his Family Guy joke about the Washington Monument.

It's an early morning again tomorrow, and off to Battery park in lower Manhattan to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Crazy day tomorrow, and we will be back at MMS between 11 and midnight Sunday night. We'll call you when we have a better time for you.

Day 3

It.s noon and we are heading out of DC. We had a great time in the Capitol and we had a great time. Our guide was very funny and informative. The kids all had headphones so everyone could hear. Don't you love technology? Ricardo won the $5 Find. Yes, the California statue is Junipero Serra because he built the California missions for Spain.
The kids don't know it yet, but we have extra time, so we're stopping at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and they are to be up close to the Liberty Bell. I've never done that...

Day 2

Busy day. Kids are in the pool - with 2 lifeguards watching them.
Everyone was up at 6:15 this morning, and since that's 3:15 in California, I was impressed. We went to Arlington Cemetery first and watched the changing of the Guard. We got really lucky with the weather - 85 degrees with no humidity. The kids said it felt like California. We took our picture in front of the White House today because we want to make sure and get into the National Archives tomorrow.
Then we ate at the Pentagon City Mall, next to the Pentagon and then visited the Iwo Jima Memorial. After that, we went to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home and the kids had a lot of fun. Then we ate at Old Contry Buffet, which is like Home Buffet. Andrew got a cupcake, lit a candle on it and we all sang Happy Birthday to Savannah, who is 13 today.
The kids' favorite part was the Alexandria Ghost Walk. We got an excellent tour guide and we had so much fun. The kids actually groaned when it was over. Manuel really got into it.
I have to say that I don't think I've ever had such an enthusiastic group. They participate and never act bored, nor do they complain about anything.
Up at 5:45 tomorrow. Capitol Tour and off to New York.

Winners of the $5 find: the firefly was Aniceto, the misspelled word at Lincol Memorial was Pablo, and the spot where Dr King made his "I have a Dream speech" was Sabrina. You should have seen her sprint up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Wish I had that kind of energy!

Day 1 again

OK, so they were a little tired outside the Air and Space Museum...

Day 1

Well, we all made it safe and sound. Right now we're on the bus - air conditioned, thank goodness!We spent 6 hours at the Smithsonians: the Natural History Museum, the American History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. "Yes, Andrew, I promise we will get to Air and Space."
I have to say, your kids are so well-behaved and I am enjoying their company. They get up to give us old folks seats and are always responsible wherever we are.
We visted Ford's Theater and saw where Lincoln was shot and toured the museum. We are on our way to the WWII monument and Andrew is talking to them about what our military members give up so we can have our freedoms. They are answering questions and sounding quite intelligent.
After that, it's the Viet Nam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean Memorial. Maybe we'll get lucky and the temperature will drop below 80 degrees...Wow! BIG raindrops! Uh-oh...we may have to skip it due to lightning. I'll let you know tomorrow!

Todays's the Day!

Here we go. The weather report says record heat in DC. Be prepared, guys, it's gonna be hot and humid.
It was great meeting all of you last night. I'm really looking forward to a fun trip.
See you all at 7 o'clock tonight in the parking lot!

5 Days and Counting

OK everyone. Sizzler has confirmed our room. So I will see all of you Monday night at 6. All the stuff  you need, including my cell number, identification cards, backpacks, journals, travel t-shirts, etc. will be given to you that night. We will also have the $100 drawing for the first 10 people who signed up. Come eat - or not - with my family. See you then!

6 days to go

Today we had our last meeting. The kids received their itineraries today, so check their backpacks!

Welcome to our blog!

Hi everyone! One week until we go. We're all ready: we have the best tour guide and bus driver in the company: Andrew and Andrew. They will greatly enhance your kids' experience.

See you all Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Sizzler on Clay and Van Buren. You don't have to eat there, we'll just have a room.

Check this site daily for new pictures and comments from your kids.

I've never done a blog before, so bear with me!