Summer 2004 Edition

Kitchen Elf Goes To Washington   By Jeanne Baratta (Fair Lawn's Kitchen Elf)   The day after Memorial Day, I had the pleasure of traveling to our nation's capital.  It is a tradition that the 8th grade graduating class at St. Anne’s School visits Washington, DC for their final trip together.  I have made this trip before, as I was also a chaperone four years ago for my daughter’s graduating class. This trip would be different. I would be charged with three 14-year-old boys!  We departed Fair Lawn at 6:30 am on Tuesday, June 1st, my 40th birthday. I was greeted with an enthusiastic rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by 35 eighth graders, our Principal, Miss Stachiotti, the 8th grade teachers and assorted parent chaperones. I could have done without the reminder.  I was told I had a “rough group”. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. My three boys were perfect gentlemen throughout the trip. They joked that they were my bodyguards and were there to protect me, and with them standing around six inches taller than me, they looked the part.  Our Washington adventure is a 2-day, non-stop tour, beginning with a group picture in front of the Capitol Building and ending on day 2 with the Smithsonian Museums.   Touring the capital with boys allowed me to experience Washington DC in a completely new light. Although it was basically the same itinerary, I saw things this time around that I must have missed the first time. The tour of Arlington Cemetery and the War Memorials were the highlights for the boys. We were privileged to visit the new WWII Memorial in its’ opening week. It was a breathtaking site, and my words would not do it justice. The boys could have spent hours there and were reluctant to leave when our allotted time was up. My son is a history buff and his grandfather was a paratrooper in WWII and one of the first to land on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, so I knew the awe he had feeling at this site.  During our tour of Arlington Cemetery, the boys did not need to be reminded that this was a special place of honor. Hats were removed and voices quieted. I watched my son closely at the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, knowing he has aspirations of becoming a Navy SEAL. He stood at attention mesmerized by the formality and dignity of the ceremony, while his Mother shed tears thinking of the past and future. When the ceremony was over he allowed me to put my arm around him and we walked away together, in silence. I asked him if he felt this visit was maybe a deterrent to his future plans, but that would not be the case, as he now felt even stronger about his goals.  Our first day was a full day and we capped it off with dinner at Union Station in Capitol Hill. Union Station is a bustling train station loaded with shops, restaurants and a large food court. We were told to be wary of panhandlers and unscrupulous characters here. While we were dining a vagrant approached the boys looking for money.  Instead one of the boys gave him his food voucher and they watched as the man got on line to receive a free meal.  We arrived at our hotel at 10:00 PM, settled in our rooms and converged on the hotel’s meeting room for before bed snacks and wind-down time. This was the part I was not looking forward to, sharing a hotel room with three boys. The rules are strict, everyone in their rooms by 11:00 PM, once in no one leaves their room and it is lights out! There is a guard stationed in the hallway to enforce the rules and for the children’s protection. Once in the room, I told the boys to use the shower, as I wanted free use of the bathroom in the morning. The first boy used the facilities, and let’s just say he left a bit of an unwanted odor. This, of course sent them all into hysterics, as anyone who has boys knows there is nothing funnier than bodily functions. I begged them to be quiet, noting that the Principal, who is also my boss, was trying to sleep in the next room. This was to be in vain, as she soon appeared at my door sternly telling them to get to bed. I used this to my advantage and told them that if they weren’t quiet I could be fired. That did the trick until one of the boys was taking a shower. All was quiet except for the sound of water and the hum of the air conditioner.    Then it happened, our shower taker decided to test out his opera voice, which in turn caused the other two to go into convulsions. I admit I was laughing too, and just hoped that our Principal next door was enjoying the serenade. I am proud to say that they were all asleep by midnight, much to their dismay, as they found out the next day most of their classmates were up all night with frequent visits from the guard. We were quite rested though!   The next day was just as busy as the first, with tours of The National Shrine, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, Ford’s Theater and The Holocaust Museum, to name a few. Our last stop before venturing back to Fair Lawn was the Smithsonian. When I toured here with my daughter, we viewed the American History Museum, as they wanted to see Fonzie's leather jacket, Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers and the Fashion Exhibits. This time around I was treated to the Museum of Natural History, with the bug exhibit, pre-historic animals, fossils and gems including the famous Hope Diamond.  Our Washington adventure ended at around 11 PM with our arrival back in Fair Lawn. We unloaded our belongings and greeted waiting parents. I received thanks and pecks on the cheek from my young charges and I in turn thanked them for their company and for making my 40th birthday so special. I have come away from this trip with new feelings about my Country our History and even a new respect for 14-year-old boys!   Many thanks go out to our principal, Miss Stachiotti and the 8th grade teachers, Mrs. Greene and Mr. Flynn, who give of their personal time to provide this fun and educational trip for our children. I wish much success and happiness for the 8th grade graduating class of St. Anne’s School, you are all unique and special young people, and may all your wishes come true!  Photo Above:  Jeanne's son, Ricky, at the Korean War Memorial   Check out the Kitchen Elf's Other Wonderful Articles Chocolate Covered Secrets  (Spring 2004) A Little Update (Winter 2003) The Games We Play (June 2003) Has Spring Really Sprung  (April 2003) Happy Hour:  Rated 'G'  (February 2003) Holiday Sanity (December 2002) For The Birds  (October 2002) In My Vegetable Garden  (August 2002) What To Do With Kids on Summer Vacation  (June 2002) Family Time and Dinner Time  (April 2002) What To Give (And Not Give) Your Wife (February 2002)  Kitchen Elf on Staying Fit  (December 2001) New Market and Gourmet Apples  (October 2001)