Well, let me say that right now, I’m VERY lucky to be in an office building because it’s about a million degrees outside! Okay, that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but it’s been in the 100′s all week, starting last Friday. Coincidentally, last Friday started the madness that IS the 4th of July weekend in DC. Needless to say, it felt like everyone and their mother was in the city for the weekend. It’s actually really funny, because I’ve begun to feel like a local; I can recognize a “tourist” from a mile and I suppose they think I know my way around pretty well because they approach me frantically (wearing their visors and fanny packs, of course), asking me how to get to either a Smithsonian or some monument on the National Mall.
Saturday was the beginning of this madness for me. A few friends and I decided to go to the Folk-life Festival, also called Smithsonian Alive. Basically, all of the Smithsonians set up a few hands-on exhibits on the National Mall. The exhibits ranged from tequila making, a hippo transport crate, jewelry from different nations and a bunch of traditional dancing (which my friend Ross decided to take part in. Literally, he decided to get up on stage and perform with some of the traditional Mexican dancers. He was approached all day by strangers who wished him congratulations on his dancing ability. ) After wandering around for a little while, we decided to go to the aquarium. While the aquarium at the zoo is 200% cooler (I also went to the zoo this weekend), it was a great way to cool off. Curiously, the National Aquarium is located in the basement of the commerce building.
Sunday, being the 4th, was obviously crazy! To begin my day, I went to the Natural History Museum, where I got to see a few exhibits about the history of mankind, different types of animals (I adopted a polar bear while I was there and named him “Little Papi” after the Red Sox DH), and the Hope Diamond (which I DEFINITELY wouldn’t mind owning 
. I ate dinner at the museum, and then headed over to the Capital Lawn where there was a free concert. However, by the time I got there, it was way too packed to find a good seat. Instead, I headed down toward the World War II memorial to listen to the Navy Band and just hang out. It was incredible to look out over the reflecting pool and be able to watch the sunset over the Lincoln Memorial. Soon, the fireworks began to start and they were literally right over my head. I could not have gotten a closer seat! They were absolutely spectacular.
What was NOT spectacular was the metro station after the fireworks were over. Let me describe it for you if I can. So, picture you and about 2,000 of your sweatiest friends. Now, pretend you are underground standing shoulder to shoulder surrounded by concrete without airflow for about 45 minutes. Yes, that is what the metro station was like and that’s how many people were in just that ONE station in DC on the 4th.
The 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday, and being in DC for it this year only made me love it even more. I originally picked it as my favorite because it knows no religion or gender or race like some holidays. Literally, every American can acknowledge that on July 4, 1776, we emancipated ourselves from England. Being in DC, though, made me feel truly patriotic. Every major building was covered in red, white and blue. Everywhere you turned, there were flags, patriotic songs, or just fellow Americans wearing our nation’s colors! I guess the moral of the story is that if you have the opportunity, visit DC on July 4th…but stay at a place that doesn’t require a metro ride.
xoxo
Katherine
Katie fun fact # 3
I must admit it was a very hard “fun fact” to pick. I had the PERFECT fun fact all lined up, I have literally lost precious hours of sleep searching for the proper wording of the fun fact I planned on using. I mean it had a title and everything, it was legitimate.
However, I must admit that I really want to try and give you all a little insight to my kid sis, with a little humor, while keeping in the theme of the weekly blog post.
With that being said I elected, albeit begrudgingly, to leave this fun fact.
Katie is a true patriot, SHE LOVES AMERICA, I take great pride in this attribute, because I like to think that my, at some times boisterous, patriotism has rubbed off on her. Katie is a lover of America and everything that it stands for.
I must admit that is pretty obvious from the post so I will share a small antidote.
I, when I was about 10, was the proud owner of a leather American flag fanny pack. That’s right folks, I owned, and wore a fanny pack. Katie at times would borrow it. It is a sight to see when two children were “fighting” over a fanny pack.
The next Katie fun fact with the next post.
Her Patriotic and proud brother,
Brian
Well, I had a smile on my face reading both the blog from Katherine and the comment from Brian this week. It is important to me that we are raising young people who are patriotic and who love America.
My grandfather fought in WW I as a doughboy. My uncle went to Europe in WW II, my father served for 23 years in the army, and my husband donned a uniform during the Viet Nam era. I am proud to be an American as well. I hope the people who read this blog feel the same sense of pride as the three of us do.
Enjoy Washington…enjoy every moment!