Reflections on Taking a 6 Year Old to Washington, DC.

Fred and I are both in complete agreement that the trip was fun and an educational success. We went in hoping that she would come away with some (20-40%) retention and understanding of the magnitude of the trip.

The first whammy of understanding that I was privileged to hear came to day about 2 hours after they arrived home. We took the girls to Panera for lunch and Ellie said to me:

"Mommy do you understand that a Bed and Breakfast is JUST THAT." You can stay there in a bed and have breakfast, but that's all. No lunch or dinner!"

I loved it. I asked her to compare that to a hotel and she was able to. She explained that her bed and breakfast was actually 2 houses made into a small hotel for guests. While a hotel (Like a Marriott which we always stay in) she explained that they don't really take care of you when you are there. She explained "Fiona" took care of her and daddy while they were at the B and B. They gave them breakfast, served coffee, and helped them get to where they had to in the city. Also, Fiona loaned the guests umbrellas on rainy days. They also had tea time but they were always out in DC.

She also liked the capitol. She explained how in this one chamber there is a parabolic sound phenomenon, in that, if you whisper on one side of the room it is clearly heard on the other. No one could keep secrets in that room! She loved that.

It was her first experience with Taxis. "Do you have to pay him?"

There were people protesting in front of the White House. She knew he was in the middle east presenting a speech. She asked Fred how he knew that the president was out of the country. He explained that it was on the news. She said to Fred, "I guess these people don't watch the news."

She sat in Congressman Alan Greyson's desk (he was home in Orlando) prior to the tour of the capitol. She liked that lots.

At home tonight, Fred and Ellie were simply thankful to be home and have a home cooked meal.