Stick a fork in me

I'm done. Done, done, done. My fifth year of teaching now resides in the history books. I've had the honor of teaching 128 wonderful little people over the course of my career, and I can't thank them enough for how they've helped me grow as a teacher and a person. I pray that I've taught them at least one teeny, tiny something during their time with me. To say that I was choked up seeing them walk away from me today is definitely an understatement.

Now, let the fun begin! This is going to be an incredible summer...I can feel it!

• finish packing up my classroom (far, far less than fun, but completely necessary for summer break to begin)
• farmers markets
• trip with Mom to Tunica
• trip with Kate to Charleston
• sewing projects
• quiet, lazy nights listening to the crickets chirp
• sleeping myself silly
• lounging under an umbrella at the pool reading a fabulous book (or twenty)
• trips to the library
• FriendshipFest 2012
• early morning walks before the world warms up
• the Olympics (LOVE the Olympics)
• a Whole30 adventure (to start after the Charleston journey and the 4th of July, of course...haha)
• anything I want, or nothing at all, or maybe both at the same time...I'll decide when I get there :)

Bring. It. On.

Journey to the capital: Arlington, WWII Memorial, the Capitol, and various randoms

Last trip post...I promise!

{standing guard at Arlington National Cemetery}

{fun fact: Up to three people can be buried under each headstone at Arlington.}

{Tomb of the Unknowns}

{changing of the guard}

{saw quite a few of these pretty crosses...love the rough texture}

{Capitol dome with scaffolding around "Freedom" on top}

{Looking up into the Rotunda takes my breath away every. single. time.}

{intricate detailing at the top of the columns outside}

{This painting circles the entire Rotunda and illustrates the history of America...one of my favorite details in the Rotunda}

{America the beautiful}

{I think the WWII Memorial is spectacular.}

{We took nearly 300 people to eat here...5 floors of mall, 6:00 PM...try not to be jealous.}

{While at the Jefferson Memorial, we saw three green and white helicopters headed our way. We knew they were the Marine One helicopters since those never fly alone. They swooped right around us and headed straight to the White House. The first one veered off to the right, and this one landed on the lawn. See the people waiting at the bottom entrance of the White House? We're pretty positive President Obama was in this helicopter and that those people were waiting to greet him. Very, very cool moment.}

Journey to the capital: monumental

While in D.C., we visited nearly every monument and memorial in existence there. This involved lots and lots (and lots) of walking. Even though I've seen almost all of these sites before, they never fail to take my breath away. What a wonderful capital we have!

{Washington Monument reflected in the Vietnam War Memorial wall...love, love, love this shot}

{We must never forget that freedom is not free. God bless those men and women who serve or have served our great nation.}

{loved the geese swimming and the reflection of the monument in the water}

{By the top right window, you can see cracks from last year's earthquake. The sky truly was that blue this day...total gorgeousness.}

{Lincoln Memorial...the columns are a bit large}

{Was Abe a humble man? I've wondered what he would think about this absolutely enormous statue of himself. Note to all: please don't commission a statue of me when I kick it. And if you must, please make it smaller than this one. I'd hate to be embarrassed in the great beyond; thanks.}

{Lincoln Memorial}

{sweet home}

{Iwo Jima Memorial}

{Look at all those beautiful details!}

{Jefferson Memorial}

{brand new MLK Memorial}

{at the FDR Memorial}

I just love America.

Journey to the capital: Mount Vernon and the National Cathedral

After our stop at Colonial Williamsburg, we made our way through lovely Alexandria, VA to George Washington's homestead.

The first part of our trip had been rainy...dreary...cold. I feared we were beginning to grow mildew.

Tuesday dawned bright and sunny, with blue skies, a nice breeze, and 60 degree temperatures. Glorious. I felt like singing...and I may have. You'll never know.

After doing a whirlwind tour of Mount Vernon on my first journey two years ago, I've been completely content to spend the majority of my latest two visits sitting in the sunshine on the back porch looking at the Potomac River. Absolutely delightful. Makes me feel like a Washington.

{If this were the view from my back porch, it'd be okay with me.}

{I like to think that we inspired those folks to sit and chill for a while, to be more like George. You're welcome.}

{Mount Vernon is very pastoral and farm-y. Right up my alley.}

{Bus 3's fearless leaders}

After wallowing around in as much springtime gorgeousness as we could stand, we drove on into D.C. I don't care how many times I see it...I think I'll always be excited to see the Washington Monument peek over the horizon. We have such a wondrous capital.

The National Cathedral was our first stop. It was as beautiful as ever, despite all the work going on to help repair the damage from last year's earthquake. 

{The entire building is made out of stone, as all good cathedrals should be. Just magnificent.}

{Netting has been strung up over the whole cathedral to catch any potential falling debris shaken loose by the earthquake.}

{Gargoyles are most unattractive. I'd be lying, though, if I said my hair had never looked like that when I first woke up.}

We did lots more this day, but I'm officially tired of working on this post. I've got things to do and sleep to get. More later!

Journey to the capital: rain, Monticello, rain, rain, Williamsburg, rain

Last week, my coworkers and I had the pleasure of accompanying a whole herd of fifth graders and parents to our nation's glorious capital city. It was my third trip in three years, and this one was a true delight. Many people don't believe me when I tell them how fun it can be to travel with fifth graders, but it is! Their little brains just sop up everything they see, and I love getting to share our capital with them.

We had a blessedly well-timed day off on Friday (thank you, Lord!) before boarding the buses at 4:45 on Saturday morning.

{Waking at 2:45 AM is certainly not on my short list of favorite things to do.}

The bus trip took a little over 12 hours and seemed to fly by. Lots of folks to talk to, beautiful scenery, and my handy dandy word search book helped with that. 

It rained on and off while we drove, a theme that would repeat itself over and over (and over) during our trip. A little rain won't kill ya, but we sure were glad to see some sunshine later in the week!

After spending the night in Staunton, VA, Monticello was our destination early on Sunday morning. The day was cloudy and sprinkly, but it was never unbearable. Thanks again, Lord! 

{I wish they'd allow pictures inside. The details in the house are spectacular.}

{the branches of a beautiful Linden tree in the front yard}

{misty, foggy day}

{The garden is always my favorite spot to visit here. Look at all the green!}

{wet, wet, wet}

{lovely lookout in the garden}

Monticello is truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. You owe it to yourself to see it at least once in your lifetime. And if you go to Monticello without eating lunch at Michie Tavern, you've wasted your trip...might as well just pack it up and go home.

 They boast the best fried chicken I have ever, EVER put in my mouth. Merciful heavens. Enjoying a wonderful meal in a building that was built over 200 years ago is quite an experience.

{fried chicken, stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, green beans, mashed potatoes, peach cobbler, and apple cider...I look forward to this tastiness every year!}

Sunday we headed to Colonial Williamsburg. The rain was much heavier this day, so I didn't take my camera out much. I tried to make the few pictures I did take count!

Our guide's name was Yafeu, and he was absolutely fantastic. I know I probably just butchered the spelling of his name, but I'm giving myself a solid B+ for effort. He was a retired Air Force colonel and really, REALLY had a love for history and Williamsburg. We were sad to see him go at the end of the day.

{the joiner...he let one of the boys plane a piece of wood, which was a huge hit}

{apothecary shop...all of these beautiful jars and bottles date back to the colonial times}

{gorgeousness}

{British flags are displayed all over Colonial Williamsburg.}

{These oxen are part of the Rare Breed Project at Williamsburg. They have been bred to have the exact same genes as oxen that were in Williamsburg during the colonial times...incredible. The one on the right decided to take care of some, um, business the very moment our whole group was standing there. See his puddle? The kids got the biggest kick out of that.}

{These sheep are also part of the Rare Breed Project. One boy said that, with all that wet wool, they looked like dirty mops :) }

{What would a visit to Williamsburg be without putting your teacher in the stocks?}

{I was told I looked too happy in the first picture, so this is my best "criminal face". Clearly I need to work on my game face before I take up a life of crime.}

We went on our ghost tour that night, and while it was COLD, there was no rain. Hallelujah! The kids were thoroughly jittery after the ghost tour; mission accomplished :) 

Next stop: Washington, D.C.!