A Busy Couple of Weeks

So, the Doak Family homeschool has gotten thrown off course a little in all the excitement of preparing and then going to Washington DC. We were able to throw a few lessons in here and there, but really haven't done structured school (funny, though, how that coincides with my signing up for Facebook!!!! ha!!!!!). Back in the saddle today though with renewed vigor! Ashlyn is excited to be reading Madeline for her FIAR curriculum and Stella and I will be starting "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler," which was one of my absolute FAVORITE books as a child. It's about a girl and her brother who run away and stay @ the Metropolitan Musem Of Art. I can't wait to read it with Stella and see if she loves it as much as I did.

We've had some exciting things happen in our family in the past two weeks...None of which has directly affected us Doaks, but blessings nonetheless. Jason's cousin Robin gave birth to a beautiful little boy named Will! He had a fairly dramatic entrance into this world, but is doing great now! We're excited for Robin and daddy Doug! Congratulations!

My Aunt Tina and Uncle Franco celebrated their 30 year anniversary yesterday!!! I'm soo excited for these two!! They are such an inspiration mostly because they are not the "perfect couple." The odds have sometimes been stacked against these two, but somehow they have managed to stay together! Aunt Tina is YOUNG people so that means she got married when she was young (I think 19 or 20)!!!! I'm in awe of this couple who still like each other after thirty years!!!

Another exciting family event is my dad and step mom Pam, just got back from a trip to Hawaii. Dad had a conference there and Pam tagged along like any smart gal would! I haven't had a chance to catch up with them to see how the trip was, but hopefully they had a beautiful time....I'm sure they did....

So, that's all for now folks...Got lots more to say (as usual), but teachings these three cuties calls!! Take Care and have a great Monday!!!!!!!

Washington D.C.

Hey All:
As I mentioned last night in my previous blog, our two day trip to Washington D.C. was fantastic!!! We stayed with our friend Melissa and she was simply put: the most wonderful hostess anyone could ask for!!! She gave us the hook-up to the Press Club luncheon, organized the meet and greet with Nick, let us stay @ her place, fed us, drove us to and from the city. We were so humbled by her gracious generosity!!! Thank you soooo much Melissa for a fantastic experience!!

In our short two day trip we managed to cram in a quite a bit of activity! The luncheon, of course, was the highlight, but we also made it down to the Mall and went to the National Gallery of Art. Stella is in love with Monet and was so thrilled to see a real Monet painting in person!!! While Stella and I were @ the luncheon, Jason and Ashlyn made it down to the Mall to ride the carousel outside the Smithsonian Castle...Ashlyn just loves that carousel!! Jay said they had a great time while we were @ lunch!

While in town we were able to connect with a friend's nephew who is on the chef staff @ the White House and he actually was able to give us a "behind the scenes" tour of part of the place!!!! We were able to see one of the White House kitchens, a small dining room used only by the President and his immediate staff, a larger dining room used to entertain V.I.P.s, the Senate entrance to the White House, and the coolest part of all: the Press Room!!! We were able to stand right in front of the podium used by the President during his press conferences!!!!! It was really exciting for me and Jay...Ashlyn wasn't quite as impressed. She kept asking when it was time to "leave this place." Ha!!! We left with all kinds of goodies including Presidental m&ms, whitmans chocolate, and champagne!!!

Our final day of the trip found us @ the top of the Washington Monument...The views were spectacular!! We also made it to the American History Museum!! Lots of fun!!!!
Overall, a fantastic trip and for Stella probably a trip she will always remember!! Here are some pics!! Enjoy:


Stella, with her book autographed by Nick

view of the Lincoln Memorial from the monument

me and the girls @ the mounment

the monument

The White House China

Ashlyn Doak, future president of the U.S.

Me, Jay and girls..

Stella and her ticket for the luncheon

Stella by her favorite Monet painting--Japanese bridge with water lillies

Ms. Doak Goes To Washington!!!

Our wonderful friend Melissa scored MAJOR points with Stella yesterday when she hooked us up with an exclusive meet and greet with none other than Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Melissa had organized a Press Club press conference/luncheon featuring Nick Jonas who spoke about his battle with juvenile diabetes.

Before the luncheon took place we were able to attend a short meet and greet with the man of the hour. Needless to say Stella was thrilled (and I wasn't too disappointed either). Nick, his dad, and Press Club staff came into the room and I would guess there were less than 20 people, or so there. We were all able to line up for a quick moment with Nick and a short photo op. Nick was fantastic, humble, and overall just a lovely young man. The poor little girl in front of us was struck speechless when it was her turn to meet Nick. Our turn was next!!! I was THRILLED when Stella walked right up to Nick, held out her tiny hand to shake his (she tells me later he short-palmed her, ha!!! she hardly cared, of course!!), introduced herself, and asked him to sign her Jonas Brothers book!! He technically wasn't there to sign autographs, but who could refuse a request from a cutie such as Stella????....I don't think it hit Stella until this moment that she was actually interacting with NICK JONAS....She stared @ him as he signed her book with the most awesome grin on her tiny face. Nick asked her if she watched his show "Jonas" because there was a character on the show named Stella!!! Stella nodded and I mentioned to Nick that Stella played piano and he asked her what her favorite song to play was. I think the whole interaction was a bit unbelievable for our little Stella...I answered for our obviously star struck little girl, and told Nick, Stella was really into "Arabesque" right now and loved to play "Lovebug" (A Jonas Bros. song for those out of the know).

Following a quick photograph taken by a Press Club photographer (we weren't allowed to bring our camera inside) we were escorted out of the room and into the press conference where Nick later delivered a fantastic speech and answered lots of fan questions including one inspired by little Stella and her "legless, footless" Joe Jonas Barbie doll!!!

Impressed doesn't even begin to describe my reaction to meeting Nick Jonas...That kid is only 16 years old and is already, polite, well-spoken, and fantastically humble and gracious. I was thrilled that he took even two minutes out of his hectic life to make meaningful contact with my little girl who has loved him and his band for over two years!!! Nick's parents have obviously done a fantastic job of raising him. He exudes grace and sincerity. What a truly special kid! If you're interested in checking out the press conference (and maybe even seeing me and Stella in the long shots) be sure to check out C-SPAN. They will be re-running the event this week!!!! Our trip to DC didn't end with the press conference...Be sure to check back later when I post more photos from our trip including our super exclusive tour of the White House!!! Seriously, could we be any more BLESSED???

PS--Photo courtesy of National Press Club!!! Ha!! How official!!!!!!!!!!!!