The National Air and Space Museum

One of our favorite museums here is the National Air and Space Museum - Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

It is right next to Dulles airport, and only about 15 minutes away from where we are living. It is a gigantic hanger just crammed full of airplanes, helicopters, jets, gliders and oh yeah, a space shuttle. And an SR-71 Blackbird:


We have been there twice and still haven't seen everything. W1 loves it, because not only are there interesting things to look at, he also gets to run around a big wide open (and my favorite part - air conditioned) space. The last time we went, he fell asleep in the car on the way to the museum:
Seriously, what would we do without the Smithsonian Institution and all their museums they let us visit for free, as often as we want?

an overdue post about July 4th

For the 4th of July, we decided to head downtown to watch the fireworks on the Mall. We took the Metro from Vienna to the Federal Triangle stop and from there walked down onto the Mall.

It had been sunny during the day, but the clouds started rolling in during the early evening. It was pretty hot (why do I feel like I say that in every post?).

All along the Mall there were tents set up for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Bhutan was the country highlighted. Throughout the day there were exhibits of music, dance, craftsmanship, etc. They were over by the time we arrived in the evening, but we did get to sample some of the food. One of the dishes we tried is the national dish of Bhutan called Ema Datsi, It's main ingredients are chiles, cheese and onions, and is served with rice. You can't go wrong with that combination.

After dinner, we continued walking down the Mall towards the Washington Monument. We had been given a tip that the view of the fireworks from near Tidal Basin was particularly good, so we headed in that general direction. Of course, we had to take a small detour to check out, and drink from, the water fountain:

Do you remember that I mentioned clouds rolling in? Well, we did end up spending a little while huddled under a tree during a downpour, trying not to get drenched. W1 and L1 stayed nice and dry in their stroller, and they kept getting comments from people walking by, "Now, that's the way to travel." and "I wish someone would push me around in a stroller." Nice.

We finally made it down near the Lincoln Memorial (where it wasn't nearly as crowded as it was up near the Washington Monument). Because the grass was soaking wet, we decided to sit on the steps down near the reflecting pool.


We only had about an hour to wait before the fireworks began, and r1 spent most of that chasing w1 around while l1 and I sat on the blanket and saved our spot. Our highlight was an elderly man in front of us with plaid shorts and knee high black socks. He was quite stylish.

And then the fireworks began. With the first boom, all the ducks on the reflecting pool took flight right over our heads, w1 screamed, and l1 started crying. Everyone quickly settled down, however, and we got to enjoy an amazing show. You know how the run-of-the-mill hometown fireworks show has a grand finale at the end where they shoot off a whole bunch of fireworks at the same time? This show was like that the entire time. It was very, very good.



After the fireworks ended at 9:30 or so, we headed back to the Metro. Needless to say it was a little crowded, and an adventure all on it's own. But, we are glad we went, and would do it all over again.

signs you might not live in the best neighborhood

1. When someone from another neighborhood learns where you live, their response is, "Oh, well, at least it is cheaper, right?" accompanied by a forced polite look on their face.
2. You frequently hear car alarms late at night.
3. The community pool is run by the Russian Mafia.
4. In the early morning hours of a Saturday, you are awoken by the sound of someone screaming, "Help, somebody, help! They are trying to kill me." Followed by sounds of running. And later followed by the arrival of the police.

a weekend away

On June 26, we headed back up to Rochester for a quick weekend visit, and most importantly, the 4 month check up for l1! We stayed with some wonderful friends who blogged about it here (great pictures, guys!), fed us pancakes and bacon (I'm still thinking about that bacon), and gave up their Saturday to lay around with us and be lazy while our car was temporarily held hostage in the mechanic's garage.

Anyway, when we finally got our car back, we headed down south, but not too far. We stopped for the night at Stony Brook State Park, to do a little camping. After setting up our tent, we ate dinner, played at the playground, and explored the rest of the park. As it got dark, we were glad we hadn't bothered to buy wood to have a fire because it would have hampered our enjoyment of the thunder, lightening, and pouring rain. It seemed like as good a time as any to go to bed.


As it got light (it was too early to be decently called morning), w1 peacefully slumbered on, while l1 did not. He was charming and happy and most decidedly awake.




After breakfast, we did some hiking:

We hiked along the gorge trail, which followed right along the river. It really is a beautiful place. w1 really enjoyed himself, and we had a hard time getting him to sit still for a picture, finally resorting to asking him, "W1, where is the camera?" so he would pause and point.

Here's w1 pointing at the river and thinking, "Look at the water, why am I not swimming in it?"


So our plan was, dunk his feet in and let him feel how cold the water is, and then he will stop trying to fling himself in. Hah. Foolish, foolish parents.

To get down into the gorge, we climbed down many, many steps. So, naturally we climbed up many, many steps on our way back. And w1 climbed them all. Close to the top, he very nearly gave up, but managed to pull himself up the last few. While he was taking a very long nap later that afternoon, we thought back very fondly on those wearying steps.

L1 happily slept through the whole hike. As anyone who had risen so early that morning should have.

we have a lot of catching up to do, you and I

For the better part of this last week, we were without internet access at home. r1 had access at work, so he didn't suffer as much as I did. It was awful. I had to figure out how to get to the library by looking at a map, a paper map. And once, I had to use the phone book.

Now that we are once again connected, we have a lot to catch up on, blog posting-wise.

On June 21, we visited the Manassas National Battlefield Park. This is where the first major battle of the Civil war took place, also known as the battle of Bull Run. There was also a second Battle of Bull Run later in the war. It's also where Thomas Jackson got the nickname "Stonewall".

We followed a tour led by a Ranger who vividly described the battle, and then went on a short hike (it was HOT). Here is a picture of w1 in one of the rare moments he was standing still:

And, he apparently thought the cannons were for riding:


r1 caught this great picture of these tiny beautiful butterflies along the trail:


I'm going to throw a book recommendation in here. After going to Gettysburg last year, I went on a reading about the Civil War kick. My favorite was April 1865 by Jay Winik. The main premise is that a very specific order of events occurred, with very specific people playing a part, for our country to emerge from the Civil War and become united once again (something so many other countries fail to do).

Stay tuned for more posts about what the Robinson's have been up to...

Ode on Tregroes Chocolate Waffles*

A week or so ago, we got to see my sister-in-law. She lives in London, but was here in Washington , D.C. for a conference, and it was really good to see her. So we got to hang out and she got to meet l1 for the first time. And we got a scenic tour of Pentagon City as we got lost trying to find her hotel. The roads here are a little crazy.

And, she brought us these:They are oh, so delicious. Another perk to enjoy living in the UK.

And there is one more in the box here on the shelf. Technically it is r1's, if we were to split them evenly. But, he is not here right now, and I hear it calling my name...

*did everyone else have to read Ode on a Grecian Urn in high school? I've had that title stuck in my head ever since. But, the only bit of the poem I remember is the beauty is truth and truth beauty part.

the perils of afternoon church

... are even worse when you have a 22-month old who desperately needs to nap. Here in D.C., we are on the 1-4pm schedule. Which, as all you mothers out there know, is prime nap time. So that makes for a cranky w1 during church, who falls asleep on the way home, sleeps way too late, and is too hyper to go to bed. Lovely.

Here is a picture of w1 still napping at 6pm, with l1 trying to wake him up for dinner: