Clearly this vacation was a special one for Ava.... But probably the most exciting part was the day her Papa and Grandma put together for her in Washington, DC. Papa Ray reached out to his good friend Senator Harkin to see about getting tickets for a White House tour. Not only did Senator Harkin come through with the tour tickets, but he invited Ava to join him in the Senate dining room for lunch after the tour. (She got to bring Papa and Grandma along).
The logistics required that Ava and my folks leave the beach Wednesday evening with an overnight in Laurel, MD to be sure they made it to the White House on time Thursday morning. That day, as Ava prepared for her adventure she told me she felt a little nervous, and that she was going to have to be on her "most peachiest" behavior. Because of the rules associated with the White House tour, the day went essentially un-photographed, but it was most memorable.
Their Thursday began with a ride on the Metro to the White House. My dad shot this video on his phone (when he meant to take a picture) of Ava and my mom waiting for the tour.
After the White House tour, they walked the Mall to the Natural History museum where Ava saw the Hope diamond!
Off to the Capitol to meet Senator Harkin for lunch. (Ava had a crab cake and strawberry shortcake for dessert) And then she got to ride the elevator for Senators only and watch a speech from the gallery.
Ava's been around politics her whole short life. She has 100% participation in the Iowa caucuses. She's been door knocking, she's a pro at the parades.... But I don't think she really understood everything that was happening that day. She knew it was a big deal and someday she's likely to be astonished.
My dad arranged for Ava to have a flag flown over the Capitol for her that day, which is now proudly displayed (in it's box) in her room along with a note from Senator Harkin, her leftover Metro cards and some information about the Senate.
"Mom, this is going to be the BEST show and share EVER!"
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