Today was the day that we visited the White House.Before we get to all that (our White House appointment wasn't until the afternoon), we spent the morning enjoying a short walk down Embassy Row in search of the Woodrow Wilson home. Mr. Wilson, as we had already learned, is the only President buried in the National Cathedral. He is credited with many things.....like allowing sheep to graze on the white house lawn and establishing the observance of Mother's Day....but is also famous for winning the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize for his peace making efforts.
He was the 28th President of the United States which meant that he was President in 1913 - 1921. He was the son of a Presbyterian minister, served as President of Princeton University and remains the only president to have earned a Ph.D. Most people will
remember him as the man in power when the United States entered and fought in World War I.His home is wonderfully preserved and remains much the same as it did when the Wilson's (Woodrow and his second wife, Edith) lived there until Edith's death in the 60s. The website is excellent and educational. There is a tour preview page with great pictures of the things that we saw while touring the home.
What we most loved about this home is just that - it's a home. From the moment that we sat
watching the preview video in Mr. Wilson's personal secretary's office, to peeking into his closet (where the infamous fur coat he wore while reviewing the World War I troups with General Pershing hung - cool), to checking out the steamer trunks in the huge hallway closet the place was just as he and his wife Edith left it. It was homey, it was comfortable, and it was fascinating.The boys were completely fascinated with the ice box in the kitchen. "I've seen one before, but it wasn't this fancy!" remarked Sam as the Hicks clan gathered
around the original label stuck to the door showing you how to load the ice and hook up the drain. I loved Mr. Wilson's library and study which looked out into the back yard and gardens - books, books and more books. Ross' favorite item was in this room as well - sequestered in the corner was Woodrow's very own movie projector. Apparently one of his favorite things to do was to invite people over for lunch and show movies. Woodrow was an intellectual, somewhat introverted, a little awkward, intense and definately intriguing. This tour was a highlight of our week.After this great start to the day, we grabbed a bite to eat in the Dupont Circle area and headed to the White House for our tour. We made sure to arrive early -- getting this appointment was an achievement close in scale to winning an Acadamy Award. The last time I visited the White House was pre-September 11. I was snowed in and had an extra Sunday while waiting on my rescheduled flight. So, on a whim, I popped into a short line, walked in with my camera and handbag and toured nearly by
myself.Post 9/11, we had to submit everything but a blood sample about 3 months prior to our visit (they recommend earlier if you want to see it during cherry blossom season). We received a timed appointment, were told to show up no later than 15 minutes beforehand with picture IDs and NOTHING ELSE - no camera's, no bags, no NOTHING -- and even then we had to walk through a metal detector. The tour was still self-guided, but this time there were secret service agents in every room to answer questions and point out things of interest.
Now, this particular information got the boys really excited. The idea of being able to be in breathing distance to actual, factual secret service agents? Too thrilling to be talked about in mere words. Reality, however, fell a little short of their expectations.
First of all, when I pointed out one of the secret service agents to Isaac, his immediate, unimpressed response was, "that's just a cop." Translation: "Mom, I can't believe you are so dumb." His obvious superior knowledge was based on the fact that the agents were dressed in black pants and white, short sleeved shirts instead of black suits, sunglasses and cool communication gear.
Sam must have been expecting to be self-guided into the depths of the cool parts of the house and was quite deflated when we reached the front foyer. "That's it?!" he said in disbelief before we popped out the front door. Apparently seeing the hallway the President walks down prior to his speeches on TV, and the cool photos of the President's hanging out with famous people were not impressive enough to warrent the time.
And so, it was also here, and directly in front of what I'm sure was an amused, casually dressed secret service agent, that we experienced the joy of having children who are incredibly
comfortable in their surroundings -- in this case, our nation's very own dining room.You see, most people visiting the white house (including the group of high school field trippers who were going through at the same time we were) are checking out the style of decoration in the different rooms, admiring the custom made furniture, or going on an eagle "scavenger hunt." Instead, while standing in the west dining room and waiting for their parents to "catch up," our boys chose to entertain themselves in a different way.
"Sam," said Isaac. "I bet that I can lift you up using just my knee."
"I'd like to see you try," said Sam."OK," said Isaac, undaunted. "Spread your legs a little."
Sam spread his legs. Hardly believing his good fortune at how well this was going, Isaac quickly lifted his knee in an attempt to deal his brother a painful blow. At the last second, Sam caught on and jumped about two feet in the air narrowly escaping a debilitating incident.
"See?" giggled Isaac. "It worked."
We're so proud.
Pressing our luck, we left the White House and hopped back on the Metro for a short trip to Arlington Cemetary and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These boys needed to see some pomp and circumstance.
On the way to the tomb, we stopped by the grave of President Kennedy, breezed through the "in the process of restoration" Robert E. Lee home where Isaac got a little grief from the rangers
about his mohawk, and got to the tomb about 10 minutes before the next guard change. We manuvered ourselves on the front step next to the rope and waited.The boys had a few whispered questions, but this time, they conducted themselves with poise and dignity. The replacement guard and his superior came out of the waiting room, performed the ceremony and disappeared around the corner. "That was cool," whispered Sam in awe. Mission accomplished.
After that, we went back to the apartment for egg sandwiches, a little TV and an early bedtime. Another great day.
