We arrived in the place I’ve most been looking forward to seeing. I have for so long hoped to visit Washington, D.C. I spent a summer here while in college doing a Congressional Internship and loved it. For years I’ve wanted to bring the girls. So after all these months of travel, we finally arrived here! Thank the Lord! We spent 6 very full days touring DC and I will just note a few of many highlights below. 
As visitors, we can’t watch the Executive Branch doing their work. Since, both the Senate and House are not in session at the moment, we couldn’t watch the Legislative Branch doing their work. But, we did get to see the Judiciary Branch doing their work. We watched oral arguments presented before the Supreme Court Justices. Each side has 30 minutes to present their arguments – that’s it! Talk about pressure!
At Mt. Vernon I really loved learning about Washington’s life and personality. I was fascinated that he could be both a great visionary as well as a micro-manager. He had deep faith in God and always attributed his and the country’s success to Providence. I definitely grew in my admiration of him.
The Holocaust Museum was naturally heart wrenching. The museum itself was well done, and the more graphic images were placed down low behind a wall. I still can’t believe Hitler could even become a dictator as his views were clear from the beginning, but it really goes to show what people are willing to do in dire times.
We enjoyed the many national treasures in the National Archives. Besides the Declaration and Constitution, they had rooms full of amazing original documents, like the Emancipation Proclamation, Magna Carta, the original Watergate tape machine, etc
The Library of Congress was cool not only architecturally but also historically. We sa
w things like Washington’s diary, Jefferson’s handwritten rough draft of the Declaration with changes crossed out by Franklin and Adams (how did they ever get that?), letters to and from various founding Fathers. I couldn’t believe looking at such old documents. If we lived in the area I’d sure love to get a “reading card” and peruse the library’s many books. And, for a bit of trivia, did you know that the Library receives 30,000 copyright items a day and they keep about 7000 of them – a day!!
Museums, museums and more museums – suffice it to say, the many Smithsonian museums live up to their reputation. I wish we could have spent more time in them. Hands down the girls’ favorite was the National Air and Space Museum. Unfortunately the American History Museum was closed for renovations because I know they would have loved that one. It too was very kid friendly. 
And, last but certainly not least, Happy 10th B-day C!! We love you!!
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