This girl

wakes up
gets dressed
makes her bed
eats breakfast
brushes her teeth
does her hair
fills her (and her sister's) water bottle
puts on her shoes
grabs her tote bag

and

goes

to

KINDERGARTEN

I found out I was expecting her on January 25, 2004. After doing the math and realizing she was due in September, I was already fretting about the blurry line between putting her in school as an almost 5 year old or waiting the extra year.

Well, I did it and she rocks!

Capitol vs. Capital

I pose a question to you that you have not thought about in a long time. What is the difference between "Capital" and "Capitol"? They both refer to places of government importance. It is just sometimes hard to remember which one to use.

To answer this question, I traveled to the source of knowledge for all things US Government: Washington, DC.

I began my quest for knowledge at the obvious place: the hallowed US Capitol.

The rotunda with the statue Freedom perched atop

It helps to have a good tour guide as you waddle through the piles of BS that fill the hallways. I believe the stimulus package came from this building, so my previous statement is making more sense. I employed the services of an intern for the congressman from AZ, Matt Johnson (also my nephew, not a big deal because nepotism is common here)

Matt & Al


The rotunda from the inside

I learned a lot here, but still needed more information. Smithsonian's 14 museums ought to have at least one exhibit to clear up my confusion!

Didn't get the answer I was looking for, but look! The puffy shirt from Seinfeld in the Museum of American History!

Here I am at the White House.

I believe the person who has the nation's worst job lives here. I will come back when it is under new management....in 3 years.

Tori, me and my mom.

When one is in need of knowledge, consult great minds of the past...

Any help Mr Washington???

How 'bout you Jefferson?

When in doubt, consult the sacred cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake.

My girls were in the care of Mark so I really got to enjoy reading EVERY placard in the National Gallery of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, the Hirshhorn, the Renwick Gallery, the FDR monument.

So here's what I learned.

cap·i·tol
Pronunciation: \ˈka-pə-təl, ˈkap-təl\
Function: noun
1 a : a building in which a state legislative body meets

b : a group of buildings in which the functions of state government are carried out.

c : the building in which the United States Congress meets at Washington

cap·i·tal
Function: noun
: a city serving as a seat of government b : a city preeminent in some special activity

So the US Capitol is located in the capital of the US.

By the way, my feet hurt.