Friday Field Trip to DC

Today I had the great opportunity to join Skyler's class on a monuments and memorials field trip to DC.  We had our share of rain and even thunderstorms earlier this week, but we lucked out on the weather today; it was cold and blustery, but the glorious sun and azure blue skies were out to bless our day.

And what a day it was!  We started at the Lincoln Memorial and made our way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial before ending with a picnic lunch at our final stop, the Washington Monument.  It was fun watching the kids explore the various sites and make connections with what they've been learning in the classroom (boy, these kids sure know a lot!)  I've been to these places numerous times before, but I'm always bursting with excitement and overcome with awe when I re-visit them.  A regular Mr. Smith.  I enjoyed myself (at least) as much as the kids did.

And what made the day even more amazing?  The cherry blossoms are blooming! To me, DC is never more beautiful than during the spring when the blossoms are out, and seeing the impressive and austere memorials juxtaposed with the natural beauty of spring is breathtaking.  Skyler pointed out all the trees whenever we'd come across some blossoms; she's a girl after my own heart.

What a great field trip.  It ended all too soon.  On the bus ride back to school, seeing the DC scenery zoom by, I thought, how lucky are the kids in this area to be able to go on such field trips.  It was a wonderful experience for the kids, and I'm so lucky to have been able to share it with them.

Several other parents came to chaperone, too,
so we each had only 2 students per group.
Parents carried the students' lunches and water, sherpa-style.

Remington (who was in my group), SB, and Madeleine,
with cherry blossoms seen in the background.

Brrrr...you know it's cold when Skyler says she's cold!

Remington kept things lively for us...
quite a character!

The Reflecting Pool is currently under renovation.

Skyler's class.
Mrs. Graham's on the left, and Tina
(Madeleine's mom) is on the far right.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Watching my two charges proved challenging because
Remington is very quick and active, and often ran far ahead,
 while Skyler is more of a dawdling, stay at the back,
and roam off the path kind of girl...
I'm so glad that we all made it back with no one getting lost!

WWII Memorial.

From left to right: Cesar, Stevie, Tibet, and SB.
Look at the blossoms in the background!

I escaped for a bit during lunch and sprinted down
to see the sakura.  I could've stayed all day! 

Sky chasing Madeleine.

Thanks for letting me share the day
with you, Sky!  I look forward to many
more fun field trips!