Day 3 Yorktown, Mount Vernon, The White House

Another full and wonderful day.  I have just loved being with Olivia and seeing her in her element.  I see her at home, at church but I am not with her at school all day so I don't get to see her interactions with her school friends.  It has been such a treat to see this side of her.  I have seen what  a leader she is.  All the girls want to be with her and look to her for direction and fun.  She is the tiniest thing but loved and respected by all.  Everyone wants to sit with her, be with her and if there is any fun to be found she will be in the center of it.  She is a little spitfire.  

Today we had the best time.  We started out by going to Yorktown.  I loved this site!   To be where the final battle of the revolutionary war was fought was hallowed ground to me.  I warned Olivia early on (as I did when I took this same trip with Chloe)  I will cry often.....just know it will happen and don't be surprised.  I feel a spirit about the founding of this country akin to many of the religious feelings that I have.  They are closely related and I believe the men involved in this work were great men guided by God.   Below are some pictures of the Yorktown colonial settlement as well as the colonial army encampment.  

Olivia with some of her friends

These early settlers knew how to farm and work the land.   I took this picture of a typical colonial garden......I hope that mine will look this good next year.  

6-8 men occupied one of these tents.....not very big for 8 large stinky often diseased soldiers. Just add a few hundred bugs, lice and insects and this was not pleasant 

When a soldier did not obey orders he was whipped with a cat o nine tails and had to wear this around his neck.   Of course Olivia is never insubordinate....wink wink.

Olivia and I together in front of Yorktown village.

What can I say, Mount Vernon was a highlight.  I just love this home and love the man who occupied it.  Again a few tears for me as I walked into the room where Washington and his men gathered to plan the battle of Yorktown.  I just felt so humbled at the great men who sacrificed so much for their country.    I wonder so often about the times, surroundings, and way of life that produced men (and women) of such caliber.  I wonder if we today with all our comfort and ease could measure up to them.  

Below is the amazing view of the Potomac from the back porch of Washington's home.  The view is breathtaking.

We then headed into DC and visited the White House.  This picture below shows the sniper on top of the west side of the house holding a gun and watching us.   The kids all loved it.   He kinda looks like a statue.