Wednesday night
We just returned from our dinner theatre. What a great time!!! The kids looked like different people in their dress clothes. We had an excellent buffet downstairs in the elegant dining room of the Sheraton. Afterwards, we were treated to an incredible show from DC's Now This Improv. This team is very talented, taking small bits of information and creating hilarious scenes , some of them musical. They used members of the audience to help in the scenes. Some of the themes included "White Grape Earring Man who took a step to the left" done in opera genre; a talent show featuring Lakan and her mom with Elena as the stage director and Alek as costume manager.; "Smelly Sock Quest" featuring Chris and Ney and Now This Improv members playing the roles of Queen Michelle Daleb and Lady Kim Adams.
We laughed for over an hour, and asked for and were granted an encore performance.
Thank you, Lord for laughter and joy and silliness and friendship and all the things we sometimes take for granted.
Tomorrow we head to the Air Force Memorial, then to Mount Vernon to tour George Washington's plantation home. Then, we are back on the plane headed for home, ready to see our families and classmates again.
It has been a great trip!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday
Up even earlier today!! Breakfast at 7:00 and on the road at 7:30. Our first stop was the Library of Congress, a beautiful building with more books that 100 Shannon Rokaws could read in a million lifetimes. We joked that if the alarms went off, we would know that Shannon couldn't resist the urge to pick one up!
We went through an underground tunnel into the Capitol building to take a tour of the building. There were so many student groups there...it was loud and some line waiting time. I am so grateful for the group that I have. They have been so patient.
There was lots of walking UPHILL and downhill today. I'm not sure we'll be able to keep our balance when we get back to the flat land of Florida.
We went to the Longworth building for lunch, then walked up hill again to the Supreme Court. After another wait, we got a lecture tour in the actual Supreme Court. When given the chance, students asked questions. I cringed at first when I saw their hands, but the questions were excellent. Even the docent giving the lecture was impressed.
Walked again to the front of the Capitol to get our picture taken, then off to the Holocaust Museum.
It was very intense and somewhat graphic. I marvel at how humans could do this to other humans, and God loves us all!!! Any person who denies the holocaust should be required to take a tour. Nobody could see all of the artifacts, pictures, letters, video of human suffering and deny that it happened. God help us to educate our children against intolerance and hate to prevent this from happening again.
Well, any 7th graders reading this....get ready for 8th grade next year. I have some great new ideas to implement!!!!
We are off to our Dinner theatre. Maybe an update later if we return in time. My internet connection expires at 10:30!!!
Up even earlier today!! Breakfast at 7:00 and on the road at 7:30. Our first stop was the Library of Congress, a beautiful building with more books that 100 Shannon Rokaws could read in a million lifetimes. We joked that if the alarms went off, we would know that Shannon couldn't resist the urge to pick one up!
We went through an underground tunnel into the Capitol building to take a tour of the building. There were so many student groups there...it was loud and some line waiting time. I am so grateful for the group that I have. They have been so patient.
There was lots of walking UPHILL and downhill today. I'm not sure we'll be able to keep our balance when we get back to the flat land of Florida.
We went to the Longworth building for lunch, then walked up hill again to the Supreme Court. After another wait, we got a lecture tour in the actual Supreme Court. When given the chance, students asked questions. I cringed at first when I saw their hands, but the questions were excellent. Even the docent giving the lecture was impressed.
Walked again to the front of the Capitol to get our picture taken, then off to the Holocaust Museum.
It was very intense and somewhat graphic. I marvel at how humans could do this to other humans, and God loves us all!!! Any person who denies the holocaust should be required to take a tour. Nobody could see all of the artifacts, pictures, letters, video of human suffering and deny that it happened. God help us to educate our children against intolerance and hate to prevent this from happening again.
Well, any 7th graders reading this....get ready for 8th grade next year. I have some great new ideas to implement!!!!
We are off to our Dinner theatre. Maybe an update later if we return in time. My internet connection expires at 10:30!!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tuesday
Up at 6:30 and to breakfast at 7:30. Again, the weather is cool and rainy, but we are kind of getting used to it. Returning to Florida will feel like a sudden heat wave.
We started our day at Arlington National Cemetery. We walked together through the rows and rows of white tombstones. Suddenly, the price of freedom becomes more than a number you memorize in class. We walked to the Custis-Lee mansion, but were unable to tour due to renovations! JFK eternal flame and RFK burial sites are a popular attraction, but I enjoy looking at less famous tombstones, and silently thanking them and their families for the sacrifice they made.
The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier definitely fills you with awe and respect. It is so incredible to see otherwise rambunctious kids stand silently, some of them crying as taps is played and the 21 gun salute resounds in the distance.
We took a side trip to visit the grave of Alek Kosoff’s grandfather. What a great opportunity for students to see Alek place a flag in honor of his grandfather.
We traveled to Iwo Jima Memorial and had the great fortune to meet an actual veteran of this famous Pacific battle. He gave us further details of the men honored in the statues, and also some personal details of his experiences. He also had a vial of sand from the beaches of Iwo Jima. It is volcanic and black and not at all what I envisioned.
Next to the Washington Monument where we took the 70 second elevator up 555 ft to the top. What incredible views of the city!
Even though we were very hungry, the kids decided to go to the National Archives early so we could spend more time at the Smithsonians. It is always humbling to see the great documents of our nation displayed.
The Smithsonians have too much to list..highlights for me were a display of the First Ladies gowns. Many of the girls loved the gem rooms, where we had a chance to see the Hope Diamond as well as many other beautiful and rare gems.
We finished the day with an evening tour of the Vietnam, Korean and Lincoln Memorials. "Freedom is not Free"!!
Again, the students are behaving incredibly well. I have an awesome group of parent chaperones as well. Without them, this trip would not be as pleasant as it has been.
I end this evening in an incredibly patriotic mood. May God continue to bless America..
Up at 6:30 and to breakfast at 7:30. Again, the weather is cool and rainy, but we are kind of getting used to it. Returning to Florida will feel like a sudden heat wave.
We started our day at Arlington National Cemetery. We walked together through the rows and rows of white tombstones. Suddenly, the price of freedom becomes more than a number you memorize in class. We walked to the Custis-Lee mansion, but were unable to tour due to renovations! JFK eternal flame and RFK burial sites are a popular attraction, but I enjoy looking at less famous tombstones, and silently thanking them and their families for the sacrifice they made.
The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier definitely fills you with awe and respect. It is so incredible to see otherwise rambunctious kids stand silently, some of them crying as taps is played and the 21 gun salute resounds in the distance.
We took a side trip to visit the grave of Alek Kosoff’s grandfather. What a great opportunity for students to see Alek place a flag in honor of his grandfather.
We traveled to Iwo Jima Memorial and had the great fortune to meet an actual veteran of this famous Pacific battle. He gave us further details of the men honored in the statues, and also some personal details of his experiences. He also had a vial of sand from the beaches of Iwo Jima. It is volcanic and black and not at all what I envisioned.
Next to the Washington Monument where we took the 70 second elevator up 555 ft to the top. What incredible views of the city!
Even though we were very hungry, the kids decided to go to the National Archives early so we could spend more time at the Smithsonians. It is always humbling to see the great documents of our nation displayed.
The Smithsonians have too much to list..highlights for me were a display of the First Ladies gowns. Many of the girls loved the gem rooms, where we had a chance to see the Hope Diamond as well as many other beautiful and rare gems.
We finished the day with an evening tour of the Vietnam, Korean and Lincoln Memorials. "Freedom is not Free"!!
Again, the students are behaving incredibly well. I have an awesome group of parent chaperones as well. Without them, this trip would not be as pleasant as it has been.
I end this evening in an incredibly patriotic mood. May God continue to bless America..
Monday
This is actually being posted on Tuesday. There is a $12.00 fee for internet access through the hotel, so I am trying to time the postings so I need only pay one fee.
The trip started out with a little stress as 95 and the turnpike were both closed down due to a gas leak. Getting everyone to the airport on time was quite a feat, but God was definitely on our side, as everyone arrived in time to make our flight.
We arrived in DC with no further problems and began our whirlwind tour of the city. It was rainy and cold (55degrees).Our first stop was the White House for a photo op. Matt was very excited to see the snipers on top of the roof.
Our next stop was Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was shot. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations, so we weren’t able to see the interior, but we did see the Peterson house across the street where he later passed away. A few minutes of vendor shopping, then off to Union Station for dinner.
We finished our night with tours of several memorials. The WWII Memorial reminds us of the great cost of defending freedom not just in America, but also around the world. The Jefferson Memorial is a beautiful example of architecture, and an even greater lesson in Christian history as we see the quote, " God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?"
Our last stop was the FDR memorial that was a walk through 20th century history from the Great Depression through WWII.
The students are awesome. They have retained so much information from their American History studies. Morningside is one of the best behaved groups I have seen here in the city.
This is actually being posted on Tuesday. There is a $12.00 fee for internet access through the hotel, so I am trying to time the postings so I need only pay one fee.
The trip started out with a little stress as 95 and the turnpike were both closed down due to a gas leak. Getting everyone to the airport on time was quite a feat, but God was definitely on our side, as everyone arrived in time to make our flight.
We arrived in DC with no further problems and began our whirlwind tour of the city. It was rainy and cold (55degrees).Our first stop was the White House for a photo op. Matt was very excited to see the snipers on top of the roof.
Our next stop was Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was shot. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations, so we weren’t able to see the interior, but we did see the Peterson house across the street where he later passed away. A few minutes of vendor shopping, then off to Union Station for dinner.
We finished our night with tours of several memorials. The WWII Memorial reminds us of the great cost of defending freedom not just in America, but also around the world. The Jefferson Memorial is a beautiful example of architecture, and an even greater lesson in Christian history as we see the quote, " God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?"
Our last stop was the FDR memorial that was a walk through 20th century history from the Great Depression through WWII.
The students are awesome. They have retained so much information from their American History studies. Morningside is one of the best behaved groups I have seen here in the city.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The trip begins in less than a day. I know everyone is getting excited. I wonder how many people will actually be able to sleep Sunday night? I wish the whole eighth grade class had been able to go on this trip. We will miss the rest of our class.
I hope everyone remembers to show up at the airport at 9:30 am Monday outside of US Air wearing their blue shirts!!
Get some rest!!!! There won't be alot of sleeping from Monday throught Thursday!
I hope everyone remembers to show up at the airport at 9:30 am Monday outside of US Air wearing their blue shirts!!
Get some rest!!!! There won't be alot of sleeping from Monday throught Thursday!
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