We love field trips and there are plenty of opportunities here in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland!
Last Thursday, we drove into Georgetown where we went on a ride on the C&O Canal in a mule drawn barge. It was a perfectly beautiful spring day and such fun to take a step back into history. The interpreters were dressed appropriately and our guide taught us a lot.
This is "The Georgetown." Here are the kids on board.
 
Looking up from one of the locks.
These are the mules who pulled the barge.
These are the mules pulling the barge.
On our way home, we stopped at one of the scenic overlooks. If you look closely enough, you can see the Washington Monument in the distance.
The kids also found some more caterpillars, so we're going to try to hatch a few more butterflies. :)
Today, we went to a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Kennedy Center performances are one of my favorite things about homeschooling here in Northern Virginia. One of the moms in our homeschool group arranged for us to get group ticket rates at the educational performances, so we pay a third of what it would cost to go as a family. It's fabulous! Today's performance was called "Imagine This." Five musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra played several pieces which required using your imagination to enjoy. From The Flight of the Bumblebee to William Tell, they were engaging, entertaining, and amusing. Even my three year old was captivated!
Before the performance, there was an Instrument Petting Zoo. The kids got to try out several instruments which would be featured in the performance.
I really hope that I can get a piano soon so that I can begin formal lessons with the older kids. All of my kids are very musical!
It was another beautiful day! This is the view of D.C. from the Kennedy Center. The Washington Memorial is on the left, the Lincoln Memorial on the right, and the Jefferson Memorial is in the middle. And look, no traffic! HaHa!
Our nation's capitol is such a picturesque place. I've enjoyed being so close!
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