Thanks to Elsa R-B and Lucero R-C, we are planning a trip to Spain in 2014.  We are just planning right now.  It would be open to anyone who is at least 15 years or older by June 2014.

Here are some possible itineraries, videos, and prices:

Spanish Fiesta – 11 days ($308 per month/$3,655)

Current price valid through May 31, 2013.

Madrid and Andalusia with Barcelona – 12 days ($320 per month/$3,835)

Current price valid through May 31, 2013.

If you are interested, please email me (CarrieAOlson@gmail.com) as soon as possible!  Tell me which trip you like and if you want to go.

The prices do not include lunches, optional activities, tipping, bus to and from DIA, and extras.

¡Viva España!

What a gorgeous day in DC!  We thought about everyone in Colorado with the snow as we walked through a city full of sunshine.  It was nice to walk without our rain ponchos and layer of clothes.

We stopped by the White House for a quick picture.  We are ever hopeful that some day we will be able to visit inside again.  After that we arrived at the Newseum for three hour visit and we stayed for five hours!  The children learned so much and had a blast trying their skills at reporting the news, learning about JFK, and making ethical decisions about the first amendment.  We finally tore them away to visit the Library of Congress for some and the Air & Space Museum for the scientists in our group.

After that, we visited Ben’s Chili Bowl which is an experience not to be missed in DC.  With Mr. Smith telling the stories of the famous visitors, and his delightful manners, he kept us entertained and well-fed.

Swimming and packing end our day.  Tomorrow the whole group is going for an early morning swim before visiting the Museum of the American Indian.  Lunch will be American Indian from their cafeteria and then, home!  We leave DC around 4:30 PM and will arrive in Denver, CO around 6:30 PM.  Families, remember to call the update line for complete details.

Our pictures are here and here from today.

Another rainy day in DC that did not dampen our enthusiasm for learning!

We started our day with a visit to Ford’s Theater to see the museum and view the play, One Destiny, that recounts the events that led up to Lincoln’s assassination.  In our age of rapid information, it was revealing for our students to see how long it took for people to find out the details of that day.  The new museum attached to the theater is outstanding to tell the story of what happened after he died.  It went all the way through to present-day with a tower of books written about his life.

Lunch had us at our favorite, Tony Cheng’s Mongolian Barbecue!  We loved the food, as usual, and the staff enjoyed receiving their Kepner shirts and Engstrom’s chocolates.

Our afternoon was spent at the Museum of American History where we learned the ins and outs of participating in a sit-in during the 1960s. Our own Isiah was one picked to demonstrate this and we were proud of him! We also saw the exhibit on the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights Movement which fit perfectly with our theme of the day.  We also saw Kermit the Frog, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Ray Lewis’ boxing gloves, and the First Ladies’ ball gowns.  Next, we had a quick visit to the Museum of Natural History where we were able to visit the butterfly exhibit and have them fly around us.  The mammal exhibit and the insect zoo finished our day.

We’re back for swimming and pizza.  Two favorites! The trip is going by far too fast. We are enjoying our children and thank the families for sharing them with us!

Here are our pictures from today and here are more.

Another highlight:  The students tried my vegan cookies from Sticky Fingers Bakery here in DC and LOVED them!

We woke up to rain and wind but that didn’t dampen our spirits as we headed to the Supreme Court where we heard Court speak, “Supreme Court Backs State Restrictions on Who Can Ask for Information” which was very exciting!  Then we continued our education on government by touring the US Capitol.  The ever-helpful Congressman Perlmutter’s office gave us passes to visit the House of Representatives.  While they weren’t in session, it was still great to see the room where so many laws are passed.  In the Capitol, we were fortunate to see the brand new Rosa Parks statue.   Next, we went to where it all began!  A tour of the National Archives helped us see how our founding fathers designed our government.  After souvenir shopping and a stop at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, we’re back for swimming.

As always are time is going by too fast.  We are enjoying the delights of traveling with 11 – 12 year olds.  One of our young charges stood in the middle of rush hour on the metro trying to apologize to a man she bumped into as he ran into her.  He flew right past her and she was miffed that he didn’t stop.  So sweet!  A metro worker told us today that she’s been watching us and she’s impressed with our behavior on the metro.  Nice!  I am so proud of our children.  They truly are the best!

Here are our pictures from today.