Damn the torpedoes - sheltered Archibald Walk SE was a fine spot for children to gather to play in the 1880s and remains so today.  The bottom of the Walk "U" has been the scene of joyful costumed moments in the four years since the castle tree house was built. 

On June 1st, some of the alley neighbors helped us set up to create Hogwarts-in-the-alley for a child's birthday party.  The kids played Quidditch, fought with foam swords, lobbed "cannonballs," and had cake. 

We note that no DC law prevents children from playing in a public alley, as long as cars and pedestrians can still pass when they do, and unpermitted items aren't left in public space after games wrap up.  These days, only one or two of the 11 signers of the late 2015 tree-house tear-down petition continue to complain about kids playing in the alley. 

Photos courtesy of julieannwoodford.photoshelter.com

Some of the E and G Street neighbors warmly welcomed our trick-or-treating MamaMia ensemble, complete with portable kaoroke.  Neighbors joined us in singing a few ABBA tunes and the girls were amply rewarded with candy.  Thanks a lot, SE neighbors.

Defenders armed with "canon balls" faced off against attackers, armed with "flaming arrows."  In round II, the attackers/archers got the upperhand - two years earlier, they were wildly inaccurate shots.