George, Here We Come!

Everybody pray for me. I'm going on an adventure with Maggie and the entire 2nd grade at Hilda Barbour Elementary School. At 8:45 tomorrow morning we're climbing on a bus and heading out to Mount Vernon.

I went last year with Kara's 4th grade but it was entirely different. Since she's a teacher, she and I didn't have to supervise any children because they brought their mothers! Yea-a-a-a! Last year, we got to walk around, peek into this room, peek into that room, leave if we wanted to, stay if we desired. We had a leisurely lunch at the Tea Room and we strolled around (in the rain), going only where we wanted to go. Since Jimmy grew up at Mt. Vernon, we already know all the history junk. We didn't have to listen if we didn't want to. Some of it was interesting to hear again, but - you know - get real!

This year will be different. I'll be a chaperone and Maggie and I will have two other little girls with us. This year, I'll have to make sure they are taken to all the little buildings, make sure they read all the little signage, make sure they go to the bathroom, make sure they pay attention. Make sure they get back on the bus for the trip home. Egad!

Then there's the gift shop! Years ago, it was just a little shop in one of the side buildings next to the mansion. Now it's a huge two-sided monstrosity in front of the Tea Room. So commercialized. Ugh!

When I was a 7th grader, our class went to Mt. Vernon on a Saturday - no school day off for us! I still have a little cedar chest that had a crest of Martha Washington on it. The crest has since fallen off, but the glue spot is still there. Jimmy was there that day, I just didn't know it.

Let's hope we don't have rain like last year!