Katie and Peter's Blog: The Scheniders in DC

Last week we had a great visit by the Scheniders. They made the long trek from Georgia to visit us during the 4th of July. Katie loved playing with her cousins and Peter enjoyed meeting everyone. He's now met all 8 of his cousins and 8 aunts and uncles.

The Scheniders arrived on Sunday. That night we went to Old Town Alexandria for dinner at King Street Blues and walked down to the river to watch fireworks from National Harbor, across the river in Maryland. The fireworks were impressive but Mother Nature put on an equally impressive light show. There was lightning in the clouds that lit up the sky every few minutes. Best of all, especially for Katie's sensitive ears, the lightning didn't make any noise. The loudest oohs and aahs from the crowd were definitely for Mother Nature's light show.

On Monday we went swimming in the neighborhood pool and grilled burgers and hot dogs for dinner. We then stepped outside and joined our neighbors on the street to watch the fireworks on the Mall. There was a good and festive crowd but it was nearly ruined by an impatient driver that didn't like sharing the road. Luckily that occurred before we went outside. After some shouting, the police showed up and half-heartedly tried to disperse the crowd but gave up after one of our neighbors talked them out of it. Nonetheless, we enjoyed another great firework display from our street.

On Tuesday we hit the road and visited the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum near Dulles Airport. It has full-size planes from all eras including a space shuttle, a Concorde, some Russian MiGs, the Enola Gay, and all sorts of fun, small one-person aircraft that looked like a great alternative to sitting in traffic in the beltway. After that we went to the Manassas Battlefield and saw a dramatic movie explaining the two Civil War battles that were fought there. Then we walked around some of the battlefield in the hot July sun, almost exactly 150 years after the first battle was first. For dinner we went to Don Pablo's, one of Lisa's favorite Mexican restaurants.

Wednesday we headed downtown for the first time to see the other Air & Space Museum and Ford's Theater. We also walked through the sculpture garden, watched a celebration of the Dalai Lama's 75th birthday, and checked out the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Then we went to Ford's Theater which has an excellent remodeled museum and listened to a ranger's talk about the fateful events of April 14, 1865. Afterwards the went to the pool to cool off.

Thursday the Scheniders went to Arlington Cemetery to see JFK's grave and the changing of the guard. Then we went ice skating at Kettler Iceplex, where the Caps practice. We decided to let Katie try to skate with a single blade, instead of the double-blades she had been using. She did great. She was determined to learn how to skate. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to teach her other than tell her to "just stand there and then start skating." She said she'd like to take lessons, which will probably be best for everyone. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold her up for 90 minutes on the ice. Afterwards, we met Deirdre, a friend of Lisa's, at Union Station for dinner at Chop't.

Friday was a sad day as the Scheniders packed up and left. We were all sad to see them go, especially Katie. She keeps asking when we're going to go to Georgia.

Lots of photos are below. More are here.

Peter meets his Aunt Lisa and Cousin Cassidy

Cassidy with Peter

Watching the fireworks from the dock at Old Town Alexandria.

Going to the pool.

Swimming with Daddy

Peter takes a dip

The kids at Air & Space

Dave and Cassidy at Air & Space.

Aunt Lisa and Cassidy in front of a space shuttle.

Katie rests her eyes.

The kids at Manassas Battlefield

At the old stone bridge at Manassas, site of the beginning of the battle 150 years ago.

Peter checks out Rusty.

Peter says hi to Cassidy.

What, me worry?

Is she Snow White or Goofy?

In the sculpture garden.

Steven and Cassidy in front of a fun optical illusion. The house angles away from the viewer (concave), but it looks like it angles towards them (convex). Here's a short video that demonstrates the effect.