Instead of riding herd on lawmakers at the Capitol on Thursday, I spent most of my day having fun with my 6 year old daughter, who trailed along with me again this year on Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work day.

Armed with a pen, reporter's notebook, an old blackberry, her own temporary press pass and a couple of coloring books, Elizabeth was more than ready for action.

First, we stopped by the Washington Bureau to see my colleagues, and then went outside to snap a few photos before heading to the Capitol.

Once we were inside, it was time to listen to a hearing about the NASA budget and do the first of my two Thursday live shots with Neal Boortz.

"This is Elizabeth Dupree, reporting live from the Capitol," she said to laughter from Boortz.

After that, we ran to the House side of the Capitol for a news conference with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as a number of kids got to ask questions of the Speaker, though my daughter was too busy taking notes to get called on.

"Does it bother you that so many people don't like politics?" asked one kid.

"Why are there so many problems with the government?" one youngster said to a lot of laughter.

"Why are there so many problems with the government? the Speaker repeated with a bemused look on her face.

"I think I'm getting a tenor of the dinner table conversation at home," she said to more laughs.

From there it was back for more Boortz, then down to the basement for lunch at the Capitol Carry-Out, where her father started eating lunch 30 years ago this Summer, as we ran into friends with their kids.

While Dad hammered out a few stories for the afternoon, Elizabeth entertained herself and my colleagues up in the attic of the Senate Radio TV Press Gallery.

But the excitement wore off pretty fast.

"When are we going home?"

Still, she rallied for a last few photographs in my tiny broadcast booth, stuffed to the gills with electronics of all kinds.

And she can't wait to come back again next year.