{Girls Trip} And, We're Off!

Off on another fun adventure...

While our boy is off on an abbreviated study abroad in Scotland, the girls and I decided to take a little road trip up to New York City, with Hubby planning to fly in for a long weekend...

We made a few stops at some unique little free libraries to drop off some books...

and made a quick stop to eat at Isaac's Deli, one of our favorite nostalgic spots...

We arrived at Uncle B and Aunt E's house, our home away from home, late tonight and are ready to get to sleep in anticipation of a BIG day tomorrow...

More FUN to come!

{Beta Club Trip} Washington, D.C. - Part II

 continued from {Beta Club Trip} Washington, D.C. - Part I...

Day 3 - Friday, April 19 

After breakfast at the hotel, the group made a college visit stop at Howard University before making their way over to the U.S. Capitol...

Another little throwback...

{October 2013}

{October 2013 - admiring the rotunda right before a guard reprimanded them for sitting on the floor}

Before they left, the group got a photo with Representative Timmons...

{photo from the public Facebook page of Representative Timmons}

After lunch, they headed over the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Though I have visited before, this was a new one for M, and a very moving experience...

From there, they made a couple quick stops for photo ops at both the Washington Monument...

and The White House...

before grabbing dinner and heading to Nationals Park for a Washington Nationals game!

Of course, we're no strangers to the mascots...

{October 2015}

After the game, they headed back to get some rest after a packed day!

Day 4 - Saturday, April 20

On their final day, the got up early and headed out, making one college visit stop at the University of Virginia (where another college sweatshirt was procurred)...

before continuing the trip home...

What a wonderful experience for our M! I am forever grateful that this trip actually happened, and our baby is now back home.

{Beta Club Trip} Washington, D.C. - Part I

Sweet M got to go on her 8th Grade Beta Club trip to Washington, D.C., and it was such a treat. B's to New York City was unfortunately cancelled because, well, it was in 2020, and L's, also to New York City, wouldve been last year, but even more unfortunately, her class didn't show enough interest... She was BUMMED, and I was for her, as well!

But, on to the trip that DID actually happen...

Though M has been to Washington, D.C. numerous times before, as we used to go annually (pre-2020) for the Army Ten-Miler (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), I strongly believe that taking trips without parents/family is so very important and offers a whole new, and extremely valuable, level of learning/figuring things out. 

Day 1 - Wednesday, April 17 

M and her class left early in the morning and started their trek north.

Their first stop was at the North Carolina Zoo before continuing on and making a college visit stop at Duke University, where everyone purchased Duke sweatshirts!

From there, they continued on to their hotel to get some rest.

Day 2 - Thursday, April 18

After breakfast, the group headed over to Arlington Cemetery...

Though we visited back in  2015, its been almost a DECADE since M has been there... WOW...

{October 2015}

After lunch, they hit some of the Smithsonian museums...

My kids especially like to send me pictures of dead animals (because they know how much I just love loathe taxidermy)...

Also, presidential pictures (I actually do love those)...

After dinner, they took a tour of the monuments and memorials at night!

I think M got some GREAT photos!

Her favorite president...

and, back in the day...

{October 2012}

It was full day!

{Beta Club Trip} Washington, D.C. - Part II