March 2, 2008

I was so excited to go to school with one of the 4th graders on Monday, but we woke up to 4 inches of snow everywhere! So no school!
But I do have some bad news, don't worry Tyler it is not serious. I fell on the ice when playing with the kids and hurt my hip. Luckily the family I am staying with knew a great doctor and he was able to reposition my hip and patch it back up. I am doing much better.
I had a great day in the snow but am looking forward to going to that 4th grade class.

February 28th

I was so excited to go down to the National Mall and visit Washington D.C. One of the first photos I took was in front of the License plates on a car.
The plate has the Washington D.C. flag which is three red stars and two red lines that are in the middle of the numbers and letters on the plate. It is based on the design of the coat of arms of the family of George Washington. Washington D.C went a century without having it's own flag. It was not until 1938 that they officially announced this design as the Districts flag.
You will see at the bottom of the plate is says Taxation without Representation. "No taxation without representation" was a saying in 1763 (wow that is over 200 years ago) that explained early colonists frustration with the men in charge in Britain (also called British Parliament) that would make them pay taxes but didn't let them vote on different issues. The reason this is on the D.C. license plate is because Washington D.C. does not have any Senators or Congressmen but still pay taxes. The other thing they have all over the city are these Zipcars. It is so neat. Many people that work in the city don't own a car because they have this awesome transportation called the metro. At times when they want to use a car they can go on the computer and look up a location of a Zipcar. They get a special card that unlocks the car and inside is the keys. Then they can use the car around the city and go where ever they want but just need to return it back to the same spot they found it. I thought it was kind of amazing.

February 28th - Day one.

I made it safe from Nashville and it only took 2 days. Being flat is better than I thought. I have not been hungry yet so that is good. I was excited for my new family to find me in their mailbox.
The first thing they gave me was a new scarf. It is a lot colder here than it is in Nashville. The mom almost gave me a pink one but I was glad she changed her mind. The three little girls in the family gave me a big hug so I think I will enjoy my stay here. The oldest daughter had to go off to her last basketball game of the season and she was begging for me to come but the family decided I should stay home and rest from the long trip. After her game we are going to go downtown and they said they will show me the sights. They gave me my own American Flag and they even said I could keep it. The mom told me that it always makes photos downtown more fun when you are holding an American Flag.
I am off to take a nap before we go.
Tyler I miss you!

Stanley