Current mood:

exhausted

Sugarloafs, speedboats and Awesome Hat Ladies
We spent yesterday hiking around on Sugarloaf Mountain, something I'd wanted to do all summer, since Scott recommended it. We went with Charlotte, Pritha, Jenny, and Paul. It was fun but exhausting. My right knee is one big bruise because I whacked it on a tree; C's knees hurt from the climb. And Z got too tired, which we paid for today. But all three girls rode with C and me. It's kind of like having two new nieces. They're good kids, and we enjoy their parents' company.

Today we went down to National Harbor and went on a speedboat ride with Zoe. Z was cranky all morning, throwing fits at every little thing. Though she had a very good hour after breakfast, happily painting rainbows and buildings for her friend Alan. Whom we didn't manage to get together with today.

We arrived at National Harbor at 1PM, a full hour early, and Z started screaming that she didn't want to go on the speedboat--it was too scary. We let her play a bit outside in a play area at the Harbor, then had lunch at Rosita Mexicana, which was excellent and not too pricey. After lunch we had ice cream, then Zoe announced she wanted to go on the boat. So we waited another hour and went on the 4PM. She had a blast. The boat goes downstream from the WW bridge to Fort Washington, then further down across from Mount Vernon and back. Z loved it.

The playground there is basically a huge sandbox, with the foot, leg, head, arm, and hand of a huge metal giant protruding from the ground. Zoe had a great time playing there. As we left, she saw a big ol black church lady in an electric blue dress with a Very Fine Hat. The hat was about 18" high and was all tulle and white rhinestones. Zoe hopped up and down and complimented the lady, who was delighted. Driving out, we saw her again, and I said, "Look, Zoe, it's Awesome Hat Lady!" Zoe squealed and waved, then told her Mom, "I'm going to get that hat and wear it to school! And the teacher is going to say, "Qu'est-ce que c'est?!"