Saturday, November 24, 2012

Thanksgiving Week: Washington DC

A short seven hours north: Washington DC.

A long seven hours north: a wailing two-year old.

An endless "are we there yet?": an antsy four-year old.

Lots of "Will we meet the President?" and "Will this trip count as a school day?": an eager six-year old.

But, after lots of snacks, two Disney movies, a Bible story CD, and a round of Dramamine, we were there. We dropped our bags in our (very large and very nice!) suite and headed straight to the Mall. The temp was brisk, but comfortable, and we had three and a half short hours before it would be dark.
"Why are there so many flags from our country everywhere?"

"How come there are lots of people that don't speak our language and they are in our country?"

"Can we climb to the top of that tower? I bet if we raced I would be the winner."

"Is George Washington buried under that tower? Good thing the hurricane didn't knock that important tower over."

Discussion and learning. Questions and answers. Curiosity and conversation. Learning together about our freedoms.
"Can you read the names on all the walls?"

"Why is this park so fancy if it's for people that died? Are they all under the ground here?"

"My fingers aren't cold so can I touch the water?"

"Why aren't we allowed to climb on the walls and jump off?

Discussion and learning. Questions and answers. Curiosity and conversation. Learning together about respect and honor.
"I'm going to count how many steps there are all the way to the top!"

"Is this an idol? It's a big image of a person that's not God."

"Why do I have to whisper?"

"Can you read all those words on that big wall?"

"Why didn't Abraham Lincoln want some States to leave our Country and make their own country?

Discussion and learning. Questions and answers. Curiosity and conversation. Learning together about remembering our history and protecting our future.
"Can we go in and see the President? I wonder what his bedroom is like."

"Are there spies in the trees that will shoot us if we climb the fence?"

"This house isn't as big as you told me it would be."

"I wonder if there's a swimming pool in the backyard, or maybe even a playground?"

Discussion and learning. Questions and answers. Curiosity and conversation. Learning together about leadership and making decisions.
And as the sun dipped and dinner hour arrived, we found a soup and sandwich cafe to warm up and relax in.  A short walk back to our hotel and the boys were begging to go swimming. (How come kids are usually more interested in the hotel swimming pool than in the actual city or area they are visiting?) The kids swam, Grady tossed them around in the water, and I watched from the hot tub.

After a good night of sleep and a wonderful breakfast buffet, we were off to visit a museum on the Mall. With so many museums to choose from, but knowing we had a short four hours before we needed to head to Destination Number Two, we opted for the Museum of Natural Science. But, I'm sure if my boys knew there was an Air and Space Museum they would have spent the morning pleading to go.

"Who killed these animals and brought them to the museum? How come they aren't rotting and turning into dirt?"

"Are these bones and fossils real? Do you think they are from the Bible when there was the flood with Noah?"

"How come these pictures show people coming from monkeys? Don't they believe in God?"

[Very loudly] "Genesis 1:1 says that God created everything so that means these people believe lies! We need to tell them the truth!"

Discussion and learning. Questions and answers. Curiosity and conversation. Learning together about looking at everything in our world through the lens of God's Truth.
All too soon, four hours had raced by and it was time to leave Washington DC. Nana was waiting for us to arrive at her house near Philadelphia for the rest of the week, and we wanted to beat evening traffic.

More on our time with Nana and extended family soon...

2 comments:

  1. Ha ha ha...I LOVE all of the Peeler questions! I have often been told that my kids ask way too many questions...oh well...I am just glad to be around to answer them. I love all of the animal questions...so cute! Your boys are thinkers!!!
    Glad y'all could get away!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i cannot wait until your next trip so we can join you in the fun of exploring our home town. it is truly an amazing place. glad you enjoyed your time.

    ReplyDelete