At the ballpark I did my best to explain the rules ("they hit the ball then run") and got a pleasing "how many?!" from the hotdog server when I asked for fourteen. Mark was kind enough to buy the beer ($10 a plastic cupful - I'm not daft) and I left having educated my nephews about a game that's like cricket but not as good.
The sporting action didn't end there, as the brand new MGM National Harbor casino they've built nearby was hosting world-title boxing! My cousin used to be a bit of a boxer himself and as I've never been to a match before - mainly due to passing out at the first sign of violence and/or blood - I thought I'd treat us to a sample of the big time.
It was...interesting. There were a lot of fights, including a number of local Baltimore boys who got huge receptions from the crowd. Some fights were over quickly (40 seconds), one went the distance (junior featherweights Dezurn vs Davila, certainly the best of the night) but the title fight was a straight Russian victory as Dmitry Bivol (he was born in Kyrgyzstan! Even his country of birth sounds tough!) took apart Samuel "The Main Event" Clarkson in four rounds.
I didn't faint, which was a personal victory, and the most entertaining element was undoubtedly the crowd, most of whom were happy to dispense plenty of advice to the boxers in the ring about what they should be doing. "It's Rocky 4!" the guy behind us kept shouting. Except this time Rocky lost. Mr Bivol now gets to fight a Welsh boy so maybe I'll keep up with pugilism a little longer. But the beer was even more expensive than at the baseball, and we spent $5 on the fruit machines and lost it all. When in a casino...!
In between we've been going to museums and having picnics, but the fighting between the four boys has been strictly amateur and heavily refereed by all parents.
Well hello, Mr Lincoln! With one of the mascots at the Nationals game.
Welcome to the cheap seats.
But the view wasn't bad.
Liz carries the free box we got with our hotdog order.
Back into DC the next day.
More obligatory family photos. You'll look back on these fondly one day, boys.
The Shake Shack (here the one at Union Station) has been the real highlight.
At the casino. The last time Mark and I had a boys' night out was when he took me poaching on the local trout farm when I was nine.
High roller (25c machine).
Ringside.
The winner!
Enjoying a British-style picnic the next day (i.e. freezing temperatures, gale-force winds).
And then a spot of boating.
Why are we going around in circles Fred?
Joining the tourists in state capital Annapolis.
Pete enjoying his ice cream.
Liz enjoying her strawberry margarita.
Mark enjoying his steak. I told you we only stop for food.
