Week Three in Virginia

Time went fast. During our third, and last, week in Arlington, Virginia we took care of Zoey and Ezra while their mom and dad went away for a week’s training for Tim’s new job.

On Sunday we went for a walk around the neighborhood. We walked a lot while in Arlington. There are coffee shops, restaurants and stores close by their apartment, school is about a half mile away, and the Metro stop is three blocks away. Once downtown DC, we walked everywhere…and we were happy to do so.

The theme for this year’s Christmas Festive. (Photo from St. Olaf College website)

Sunday afternoon we watched the St. Olaf Christmas Festival online, while coloring postcards using colored pencils.

Ford’s Theatre

After walking the kids to school on Monday, Gary and I took the Metro downtown and toured the Ford’s Theatre, where President Lincoln was shot. 

The box seats where President Lincoln was sitting when he was shot on
April 14, 1865.

Next we walked to the National Archives. Another impressive building with interesting and well-done exhibits.

So many impressive buildings…this is the entrance to the National Archives.

We saw the original Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.

The rotunda in the National Archives houses three original documents: Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.
Monday evening we went to a Christmas dinner for all the apartment residents, hosted by the apartment’s management. It was tasty.

We relaxed on Tuesday, and Gary and I went for another long walk.

After school on Tuesday the kids and I make plant stakes, a craft project I brought along.
The Natural History Museum

Wednesday the kids had an early release day from school, so once again we hopped on the Metro and went downtown DC. This time we went to the Natural History Museum.  (Did I mention all these museums are free?)

The Hope Diamond

Gems and minerals was my favorite exhibit of those we went to. (I also liked the animals exhibit.) We saw the Hope Diamond, a 45.52 carats blue diamond, known for its flawless clarity, rare deep blue color, and “colorful” history. Sixteen white diamonds surround the blue diamond, with 46 white diamonds making up this stunning necklace. The stone was found in India in the 1600’s. It was originally about 112 carats, but through the years and different owners, it was cut down to 45.52 carats. It was gifted to the Smithsonian in 1958.

Another colorful display at the Natural History Museum…a coral reef replica.
Thursday was a day of rest, doing laundry and a walk.

Our last ride on the Metro was on Friday. We went back to the National Mall.

Gary especially liked seeing this house because he road the C&O bike trail from PA to VA a few years ago. It followed the old canal.

As we walked along Constitution Avenue we tucked into an inconspicuous, historical, small stone house that we noticed along the way. We found it is was a Lockkeeper’s House built about 1832-1837. It served the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. The lockkeeper was responsible for opening and closing the lock, and for collecting tolls. This house was moved about 50’ in 1915 due to the widening of the street, and moved again to its current location in 2017 and opened to the public in 2018.

We walked past the National Christmas Tree on the south side of the White House…not to be confused with The People’s Tree outside the capitol (we didn’t see that one). This tree is surrounded my smaller trees, representing all the states.

We tucked into the Museum of American History for an hour. Once again, so many interesting exhibits! We only went to a couple of them.

One exhibit at the Museum of American History.
Apparently it’s illegal to have a $100,000 bill.

Friday night the parents came home from their week’s training, and all was well.

Mostly packing and a walk on Saturday. The apartment complex where we stayed had a Christmas wrapping station set up in the lobby for the residents to use.

We had a few small gifts to give, so I took advantage of this station and wrapped them up.

That evening we all went out for a celebration dinner.

With hearts full, we flew back to Minnesota on Sunday. We were greeted with below zero temperatures! Brrrr….(But the friends who picked us up at the airport treated us to a warm, soup supper in their home before dropping us off at our house. It was a warm welcome indeed.)

6 thoughts on “Week Three in Virginia”

  2. What a wonderful time with your family before their journey abroad. We’ve missed you guys! No doubt, time with Tim and family was the best part of your time there, but thanks for sharing all of the historical sites you were able to take in as well. Welcome home and Merry Christmas to you and Gary!

  3. So happy you got this special, special time. Loved the day by day accounts. Your grandchildren are lovely and very fortunate to have family that is so engaged.

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