Author: Mom

It was nice to arrive in DC to some cooler weather. We helped Grandma and Grandpa get to Ford’s Theater and then we went off and explored until it was time to pick them up. We visited the Archives and saw the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

Once we picked up Grandpa Howie and Grandma Jo we visited the Natural History Museum. I loved the butterfly garden and the Orkin insect area.

The butterflies liked Grandpa’s head!

The next day we hit the National Zoo! It was a LOT of walking! We spent the entire day at the zoo and had a lot of fun seeing the animals.

Last visit I had to take a photo with all the statues, same this visit!

Up next was an early morning start at the US Botanical Gardens with a photo op at the US Capitol.

We had a quick lunch at the Native American Museum. Grandma and Grandpa went to explore the museum while we went tot he kids are to explore. We have been here several times and wanted to play with the giant igloo since there were no school kids around!

After lunch we walked to the Ford’s Theater for a show called Ragtime. It was an emotional story and we all enjoyed it very much!

Since Dad had to work so late E and I were tasked with making dinner. I learned to make chicken strips. They were parmesan and panko breaded.

E cut up and mashed strawberries for dessert.

The next day we started at the Air and Space Museum. Finally the place to do Spock Hand!

We love the area on principles of flight.

We even got to be in a show about the ISS.

We took the Metro up to the White house. There weren’t many protestors out other than the group that has been there for 20+ years.

We were more interested in the cicada holes all over the place. We were on the HUNT!

We found one at the Metro station. But Mom and Dad had us get up early in the morning and head outside at the campground the next day. We loaded up on Brood X cicadas that emerged a wee bit early! They missed there mark by 2 years.

Off to Maine next!

 

We have Luna all loaded and hit the road. We stopped for two nights in the Gainesville area to shake down Luna and make sure we were ready for the trip.

We enjoyed a trip to the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo. The peacocks were really aggressive and followed us all over the place.

We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the animals. We beat the school groups so it was nice and quiet. We even got to watch one of the peacocks try to chase a cervil.

Up next was the Florida Museum to explore. I loved visiting the exhibits and exploring the entomology pinning and collection area though the window.

We went on several long hikes in the Micanopy area and collected some new specimens. We spent the evening at the campground working on pinning and mounting all the collected items. I caught a thread wasted wasp!

We wrapped up and said goodbye to Gainesville. We are enroute to Washington DC. We tried out all the seats and enjoyed some downtime while Dad drove.

I was promoted to co-pilot for a few hours.

Mom and E sat on the sofa and made silly faces at each other for a while.

 

 

I have been enjoying relaxing and pinning a lot of my existing collection. I will still need to collect many more insects if I want to enter the 4-H contest this summer.

I am learning how to pin butterflies.

This week you can find me with the laptop or books studying for my first ever major high school test. I will be taking the Florida Biology End of Course Exam at the local high school this week. I am nervous but I really know the material. The questions are still really hard since they aren’t very black and white, they draw on knowledge application.

I took time out of the studying to attend my friend’s 10th birthday. I haven’t been to Chuck E Cheese in YEARS! I had a fun time playing games, eating pizza and laughing with my friends.

Don’t tell anyone, I even danced with Chuck E Cheese himself to earn tickets! EEK!

 

I am now a youth ambassador of the 4-H Association Sub-Commitee from Program Development. This means I attend meetings 3-4 times a year to talk about programs or things we can add to 4-H.

We had District Events this weekend. I did a great job and earned a blue ribbon.

I also, on a whim, opted to run for District IX council. I am the historian for the District 9 council. District 9 is 6 counties locally.

Cheering on my friends at the awards ceremony! SPOCK HANDS!

E and I comparing ribbons. He was sad he got red but I told him it was okay, he tried really hard. I felt he should have gotten a blue like me!

Pinellas county had quite a good showing!

Some of the kids from Earth Explorers, Fix-Its and Ochs Garden with their ribbons and awards!