Our Family Visits Washington D.C. - The Smithsonian Museums

One of the best reasons to visit D.C. is the abundance of FREE attractions!  There are more museums than the average family would care to visit during one vacation.  With so many choices, how does one decide?!

Because we only had three full days in D.C., we had to be selective. Which museums appealed most to our family interests?  We settled on American History Museum, Air and Space Museum, and National Zoo.

The girls loved the gallery featuring Inaugural ball
gowns of former First Ladies in the
National Museum of American History!

Due to a combination of time constraints, exhaustion,
and slight disinterest, we only spent a few minutes
in the National Air and Space Museum.

Every family will probably have a different approach to visiting the museums.  It really boils down to how you want to spend your time.  Museum hours are typically 9a.m. -4 p.m. (with some opening or closing a little earlier or later), and parking near the museums is impossible.  With time spent walking, and eating, those hours tend to pass quickly.

We ended up deciding against the National Zoo.  We have several zoos within two hours of our house, and have done multiple zoo field trips.  D.C. weather was hot during our visit, and reviews of the zoo were really mixed.  We knew we would have to park far away, and according to reviews, our walk would be on a pretty steep hill either coming or going, depending on which direction we parked.  Reviews also indicated that there is little shade.  Because there were so many good options, we decided against this one.

Our kids weren't really enamored with the Air and Space Museum.  We live within an hour of The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, and have participated in multiple field trips to that museum.  If you or your children haven't already spent a lot of time in an Air and Space Museum or if you have more of an interest in that area, I'm sure you will find that branch of the Smithsonian to be a great experience.

The National Museum of American History was a complete hit with our family, and we intend to go back if the opportunity presents itself!  The exhibits were tasteful, engaging, and lifelike.

Things to remember:

• All National Museums have security checks which can be time consuming.
• Expect lots of walking between museums.
• Be aware of what things are allowed to be brought into the museum.
• Be flexible.  If your group isn't "feeling it," spend time somewhere else.  D.C. is so full of exciting fun places, and no one should feel like they have to waste time at a certain attraction just to say they've been there. Move on.  There is plenty to do.

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To access information on all the D.C. Smithsonian museums, click here.

Our Family Visits Washington, D.C. - Arlington National Cemetery

"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it.  

It flies with the last breath of each soldier 

who died protecting it."  - Unknown

As I revisit the photographs of our time at Arlington, I am again overwhelmed at the price that has been paid.  The emotion we felt during our visit is a little difficult to put into words.  It was a sacred and special time for us to pay tribute to those we were never able to personally thank.  It was also a time for our children to gain a greater perspective.  One cannot view the thousands of crosses without being humbled and grateful.

There are a couple of ways you can tour the cemetery.  Walking paths are convenient and easy, although there are lots of rolling hills that can be deceptively challenging, especially on a steaming hot afternoon!  You can also ride a transport from location to location within the cemetery.  See the website here for details on tickets and hours.

Be sure to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stay for the changing of the guard.  It is a solemn and sobering moment.  Children should be instructed to be quiet and respectful at all times, even when the change is completed.  We noticed that immediately at the end of the ceremony, the audience that had gathered started to become loud, and they were reprimanded sternly by the officer that had just finished the change.

There is some shade around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and there is a small air conditioned museum just at the top of the viewing area.  You will see that the sun and heat had absolutely drained me.  I had to have a seat pretty quickly!

The Eternal Flame at the graves of John and Jacqueline  Kennedy is a beautiful tribute.  Once again, it is a bit of a walk, but once you get there you are granted bonus views of the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument just across the Potomac River.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the

highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live by them."  - John F. Kennedy

The visitors center is spacious and air conditioned, and has plenty of restrooms and drinking fountains.  If you have time, you may want to browse the gallery of informational areas there.

A parking garage is located very near the visitors center.  This is a convenient location for tourists, and you can pretty much dictate the amount of time you wish to spend.  

If you have questions about something I've not covered, be sure to comment.  I'll do my best to answer or help you find an answer.

Our Family Visits Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Capitol

One of my absolute favorite things to do as mom is to introduce my kids to awesome experiences.  Seeing their awe upon viewing our nation's capitol for the first time definitely falls into that category!

Planning a Capitol visit isn't difficult, but it is important that you follow the guidelines found here.
I did A LOT of research before this vacation for several reasons.  Being in a large, unfamiliar city with a family of six, on a budget, with a limited amount of time, can be frustrating without adequate knowledge of potential problems.

One of those problems is parking.  Almost all street parking is either mostly unavailable or completely non-existent.  We did not want to have to worry about parking tickets (the rules are almost unbelievable), and we did not want to have to feed parking meters.  Once you visit, you will completely understand.  The best options are to either park in a large parking garage and walk, or ride public transportation from your hotel (or from a parking garage).

Being unfamiliar with said systems, we didn't want to worry with passes and catching the metro or a bus, so we decided to park at Union Station.  It is located near the Capitol, and has a daily rate of around $25.  We could access our van to get drinks from the cooler, which helped save money.  Union Station is a busy, working transportation hub, and our kids loved the experience.  It houses many restaurants, stores, and souvenir shops.  There are lots of pan handlers and homeless near the perimeter.  We did not find anyone to be aggressive, but that may not always be the case, so just be aware and be safe.  Once inside Union Station, you are sure to be impressed.  There are food courts with affordable menu options inside the station, as well as nice restrooms and areas just to sit and soak up the air conditioning and the atmosphere.  The architecture is amazing.

Now back to the Capitol...

• You must contact your Representative and request tickets.  You will be given a date and time, and I suggest you show up a little early.  
• Follow the guidelines completely!  The website linked above tells you what you can and cannot bring in (which is one reason it was nice to park relatively close).  Security will be sure you are following the guidelines, so do them and yourself a favor, and save the embarrassment of thinking you can sneak even an untouched piece of fruit stuffed into your backpack.  I watched people have to reluctantly give up their stuff because they didn't take the guidelines seriously.  Even the size of your backpack or purse matters, so read up and be ready.
• Make sure your kids understand the importance of listening and being respectful.  Capitol employees get aggravated by having to repeat instructions.  Things are pretty fast paced.  The kids have to be attentive and stay engaged with what is happening.  With multiple groups touring, they can easily get mixed in with another crowd.

The guided Capitol tour provides headsets since there are many
groups touring at once.

The Capitol Rotunda

U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center

Our visit coincided with remodeling of the House of Representatives chamber, so we were unable to view it, but we did visit the Senate Chamber (no photography allowed), and were able to engage with staff to learn more details about this legislative body and the room in which they assemble.  If your visit coincides with either the House or Senate being in session, do your best to sit in on some of that.  Our family was able to do it when I was a teenager, and I haven't forgotten it.

We also spent some time in National Statuary Hall during the tour.  It was enlightening for us to see the statues that have been donated by different states.  There are several gift shops in the Capitol, and there are restaurants in the lower level.  As a teenager, I ate at one of the restaurants with my family, but due to time and budget (and the fact that the kids wanted to), we ate at Union Station.

Another walk to Union Station!

A visit to D.C. is not complete without a U.S. Capitol tour, so be sure to request your tickets early, and look forward to an unforgettable experience!

Our Family Visits Washington, D.C.!

Greg and I always knew that as soon as our kids were the right age, we would be taking them to Washington, D.C.  The summer of 2017 was the perfect time!  Our children were 9, 13, 16, and 17. 

So I began to plan.  I made a trip to my local AAA office and picked up free maps and tour books of the areas we would cover. And I began to scour every website and blog I could find.  There was SO much to see and do, and SO many questions for which I needed to find answers.  Vacation time is limited, and if you've ever spent time with four kids in an unfamiliar city, you know you don't want to get lost, robbed, fined, or hungry.  Any of the above can ruin a good time, right?

After spending so much time planning this five day vacation, I wanted to put together my thoughts and blog them in hopes that others would find the information helpful and encouraging. There are many schools that take 8th grade trips to D.C., but I firmly believe this is a trip best experienced by the family.  You know your interests and your beliefs, and all of that can incorporate with the blessing of sharing the experience together.  I can't tell you how much our kids loved this trip.  It is a highlight they will remember forever.

I'm doing a series of posts covering various attractions and tips.  I wish the posts could be even more encompassing, but there is just so much!  I hope you do find it helpful, and I hope that you'll leave a comment with anything you may like to add to the conversation.  One can never be too prepared!

Enjoy this peek into our favorite vacation to date!

Strength Through Submission

More than a few times in the last twenty years, I have had a student say, "Why do I have to learn this?  I'll never use it!"  I used to give them a sympathetic smile and say, "You never know where life will lead you, and this may prove useful someday."  Of course, those words did little to change their mind or their attitude toward the difficult concept they were struggling to learn.

One day, a student looked at me and said, "Why do I have to learn this?  I'll never use it!"  And I shrugged my shoulders and said, "You may be right right.  You may never use it.  But you know what?  The purpose of learning this concept is to help you develop the ability to think on a higher level."  That answer seemed to be satisfactory, and I continue to use it.  When one disciplines himself to stay engaged and follow through to the solution of tough academic challenges, the process itself changes him.  He not only gains ability, he also gains the confidence to face the next challenge.  His perspective broadens, his arsenal of knowledge increases, and he builds the intellectual muscle to propel him to the next cognitive level.

Several years ago, I broke my ankle.  After surgery and nearly two months of being in a cast, I was ready to begin therapy.  I pushed through my first session, and was a little puzzled by many of the routines.  Walking backward the length of the room?  Side leg lifts? What in the world did that have to do with the joint in my ankle?

Over the course of eighteen sessions, I learned that the purpose of therapy was to exercise and strengthen many of the muscles in my leg, not just the ankle area, and to help me develop a greater sense of balance. Participating in physical therapy was the best decision I could have made, and not just because it made all the difference in my being able to regain mobility in the injured joint.  My experiences there actually initiated an internal dialogue and ultimately led me to begin a life-changing weight loss journey just five months later.

Sometimes we don't understand the circumstances God allows us to encounter.  We can't connect the dots, so we are tempted to say, "Why?"  And I think God is ok with us asking.  He knows we can't see the end from the beginning.  He knows our perspective is limited.  And He knows we are unaware of what He is preparing us for in our next level of experience and influence.  But after we ask Him why, a next good step is to say, "What would You have me learn from this?"  Whether or not the pain is self-inflicted, God uses it to our benefit.  His lessons are never wasted.  The question is whether or not we will allow Him to grow and strengthen us while we walk the difficult road.

As I reflect back to my years as an undergraduate student, it makes me smile to think that one of my most effective professors was also the most demanding.  She would lose a fraction of the class after handing out the syllabus, leaving her with only those of us who were serious about earning the credit.  Although I was often disheartened and fearful when first seeing her expectations, I determined to persevere and give it my best.  I knew she had my best interest (and the interest of my future students) at heart, and I trusted that the rigors of her classroom were beneficial to me.

Isn't it beautiful that we can trust our Creator to know what is best for us?  To allow Him to shape and craft us as He chooses?  You and I may be surprised by what opportunity may be waiting just around the corner as we submit to His instruction.

For additional encouragement, read Hebrews 12:5-11.  Verse 11 is especially applicable, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Why Do I Eat?

An instafriend posted this visual, and I thought you may find it enlightening.

The Al-Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

"I love the holidays, but I think my favorite time of year has to be the first two weeks of summer. During the final quarter of the school year, I'm in survival mode.  The schedule is insane, and our house is more of a place where we sleep and change clothes than a place where we actually reside, so things fall apart and I convince myself not to worry...summer's comin'.  Now it's here, and I wish I could push the pause button.

Summer mornings are the best.  Getting up two or three hours before the kiddos means I have time to think and plan without interruption.  This morning has me focused on VBS planning (thank God for Answers In Genesis and their amazing VBS curriculum), and Pilgrim Youth Camp Bible Bowl planning (that's where I'll be this time next week).

Last summer seems like just a couple of months ago, and I've been reflecting.  Somewhere in my 30's, I realized that life is really short.  If it is to be, it is up to me.  My dreams will never become reality unless I start now."

I wrote those words on June 9th, 2015.  Evidently, I was distracted and it became a draft that set untouched for almost two years.  Funny thing is, I opened the draft this morning not having a clue what was in it, and it reads as though I wrote it this morning.  I'm still here, preparing for next week's youth camp and next month's VBS.

This reminds me that life is full of routines and rituals.  Many of the things we do over and over aren't terribly exciting.  Some require a tremendous amount of effort.  Some become boring (did I just use that word?!), and sometimes change is good.  But many times God is honored through our faithfulness in the mundane.  So let's keep on plugging away, ok?  Whatever is on your plate this summer deserves your best.  That thing...the one you have been putting off...you know what it is, don't you?  You tackle that, and I'll be over here creating spreadsheets for Bible Bowl quiz points.  Let's get to it!