Spring Break Trip to Washington DC

Ally and I decided to drive to Washington DC for our last Spring Break trip of high school. We invited Grandma Debbie to join us!

Ally and I head to Pennsylvania.

We had a fun evening with Grandma and Poppy and hit the road again in the morning with Debbie for the short drive to DC.

First stop was the Spy Musuem.

After the museum we drove thru DC to our hotel. We stopped briefly for a photo opp. at the Washington Monument.

And then I found a great parking spot right at the Vietnam Memorial. I always find this so moving. 

After a good nights sleep we headed to the National Archives.

To see the Declaration of Independence!





It was so cool!

There was an exhibit about democracy featuring an original copy of the Magna Carta. Ally and I saw the original one in London several years ago.

After the Archives we met up with our Pedicab for a tour of DC. 

It was fantastic. 

















Our guide was all about getting some fun pictures!







I had not seen the MLK memorial or the WWII and WWI memorials and I was grateful to see them all.



Lincoln! It’s such an impressive one.

Ally and I walked up the steps and our guide told us to look for the marker where MLK stood when he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. 

There is Ally on the spot. 

We had an amazing tour.

Before we were done the guide took us to this “hidden gem” it’s a monument to the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Each stone lists the signer, his occupation and place of residence. 

Quick drive by the White House.

We were tired after all that touring. So early to bed and these two had matching pajamas.

Our last day in the city we spent the morning at Arlington National Cemetery. Always an incredible experience. 

Then after a lunch break and nap at our hotel we went to the Smithsonian National History Museum. We spent most of our time in the 20th century exhibit. Star Wars for me.

Debbie enjoyed seeing the exhibit featuring Julia Child’s kitchen.

 The highlight for me was Ally with the original Sesame Street Bert and Ernie puppets. 

Another memorable exhibit was about the American Flag and the history of the flag. 

We were pretty tired after so much to see and take in and had another early night back in our hotel. We drove home the next day.

February 2025

The rest of February was a slog. It’s always rough to get through to Ally’s Spring Break. Valentine’s Day and our pets and foster kittens helped and we did it!

Valentine’s Day! Cloey humored Ally and let her pick her up.

Heart shaped red pancakes, and strawberries with whipped cream.

You know you did pretty well with Holiday celebration when your daughter posts it to Instagram! 



Kitten!

Mama and mama cat Maddie

Maggie

Daisy

She made it! Last day of the semester.

Ally and Lincoln. Her favorite of the President family.

End of January and Early February 2025

Our kittens are really helping us get thru the dreary New England winter.

So much cuteness.



Ally had a volleyball tournament in Connecticut so she and I headed there for the weekend. 





Daisy missed us so much she wanted a glass of wine to celebrate our return.





Ally and I visit with the kittens most mornings before school.

Her daily goodbye to Cloey. 

The kittens were so tiny they propped their heads on her slipper.

Mama Maddie started to seek out love and affection from us.



They learned to walk!




I thought this picture of Cloey and Becky was so cute!

Winter is hard but time with the kittens and Ally at the beginning and end of everyday was good.