Girl Time!

The day before Halloween, we had our very first visit to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden NJ (near Philadelphia). We went with their favorite Aunt Becky. We arrived soon after it opened that morning. The Aquarium was empty when we arrived. Everyone had a great time!

On our way home, we had a YUMMY lunch at Rembrandt's in downtown Philadelphia near the Art Museum. Rembrandt's has been around for over 20 years. It's well known for it's awesome burgers which Becky and I devoured. Sydney's mac-n-cheese was [artery clogging] "to die for"!

 Aunt Becky holding Sophia and Sydney.

They have a wonderful live shark exhibit.

Sydney... the girl who loves turtles!

Sophia with her new (stuffed) baby harp seal and good old "Uno" (the cat).

Philadelphia skyline in the background across the Delaware River.

{Not So Scary} Monster Mash

 

On Friday night, the Please Touch Museum (formerly known as Memorial Hall) in Fairmont Park Philadelphia had a MONSTER MASH for members of the museum. Sophia, my 2 yr old, went as Disney's Princess Aurora (in pink) and Sydney , my 3 yr old, went as Disney's Princess Belle (in golden yellow)... although she preferred to be called QUEEN Belle! It was a fun night of dinner, dancing, exhibits and a "trick-or-treat" treasure hunt. Sydney had more fun checking out all the cool costumes the kids were wearing. Sophia liked the music and dancing. The girls were mellow because they missed their naps (wish I could have a do-over because my girls don't have much energy after 6pm without a nap!).

The girls made the the 10 o'clock Philadelphia Fox News later that night [the news clip is at the very end of the video clip below... it's a 3 minute video so you may want to FF to the end of the video :) ]

Video of Sophia {Princess Aurora} Dancing to Ghostbusters:

Sydney was Princess Belle and Sophia was Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty):

Philadelphia SEPTA Bus Exhibit:
CHECK OUT THE SHOES!! (they light up too)

Metrorail train exhibit (nicer then the Philly trains!!):

Pretty Backhoe Operator:

Beautiful Mechanic:

What girl doesn't like to Shop... the only time "no nap" wasn't noticeable :)

My "Victorian" Queen costume which looked more like a Maid of Milking! Ha!! Only half of the parents dressed up... I couldn't wait to get my costume off. I'm not much of a costume person.

Carousel ride:

Leaving the Museum:

We were the last ones to leave the museum that night. We were also the last one's to eat before the cafeteria doors closed. What a fun night!

I'm a Turtle

A couple of minutes ago, Bob was getting the girls ready for a bath. Sydney was on the toilet... she pulled the toilet seat down on top of her back and said "I'm a Turtle".

Let Them Eat Cake!

Sydney and Sophia cannot resist a yummy dessert when we are dining-out. Sydney is known to clean her plate no matter how big the dessert!  They both love baking at home..... especially when it's cake, cupcakes or cookies with ICING and SPRINKLES!

Sydney celebrating her 3rd Birthday on the Disney Cruise:

Sydney (3 years) @ Marly's BYO Phoenixville PA... sampling each dessert with Aunt Becky & Mommy:

Sydney (3 yrs) and Sophia (2 yrs) @ Basta Pasta in Skippack PA: ICE CREAM!!

Sydney and Sophia @ Bucca's: Cheesecake!!!

Sydney and Sophia @ Inn at St. Peters, St Peters Village PA: ICE CREAM with fresh berries for Sophia....

Apple Tart with Ice Cream & whip cream for Sydney....

and yes, she ate the whole thing...

Baking Apple pie's or tarts (???) with no recipe ;) @ HOME in the kitchen:

Finished product.... a Cinnamon Apple thing with ice cream....

You are (both) the apple of my eye!! I love you... and love that you enjoy food as much as Mama!!

I ♥ Faces: “Excited!” Photo Challenge

This week’s photo challenge theme at I ♥ Faces is "Excited!"

A couple weeks ago, My TWO year old DAUGHTER, Sophia, was SO EXCITED about WALKING Grandmom's DOG, PEANUT, at the local park. This was her 1st time walking Peanut on a leash. Soon after the HAPPY PHOTO BELOW was taken, she fell down while trying to keep hold of the leash handle.... this led to her 1st ER visit. [It's too bad we don't have a photo of the excited  panicked Mom trying to stop the blood and make her way to the hospital. HA!]. After Five stitches above her right eye and leaving the hospital, she asked me if we could go back to the park so she could walk Peanut again.

"A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement." Rachel Carson

Click here to return to  I ♥ Faces "Excited" Photo Challenge

Thanks for stopping by for a peek of excitement.
Susan

You Are My Sunshine!

Show Us Your Life - Baby Gear

Kelly's Korner is hosting a Show Us Your Life - Baby Gear this week. Here are some items that my husband and I found to be a PLEASANT SURPRISE; MOST USEFUL; BEST QUALITY (after trying many!); and/or COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT:
[disclaimer: my girls are now age 2 and 3. I'm sure there are new and improved baby items now]

Graco SnugRider Infant Car Seat Stroller FRAME 

We used this Graco stroller FRAME all the time when Sydney was in the Infant Graco SnugRide carseat. We had a couple other strollers, but this was our favorite with the infant seat. It was LIGHT, FOLDS FLAT, INEXPENSIVE AND PRACTICAL and it had cup holders!! We traveled non-stop with Sydney using the Graco Snugride Seat and Frame. It made traveling EASY! Of course, when we had Sophia 12 months later, we moved to a double stroller that could accommodate Sophia in the Graco Snugride and Sydney, a toddler.

Above photo: Sydney and me in Tenerife Spain with Graco Snugride and frame :)

CARES, the Child Aviation Restraint System

This is a TINY contraption and a great invention if you FLY a lot with little ones! It saves you from hauling a HUGE CAR SEAT on the airplane. You can then check the car-seat through curb-side or do what we do, reserve a car seat with the rental car agency. Click here for photo of CARES

Recaro Young Sport Child Seat

The "Porche" of car seats that grows with your child and provides ultimate SAFETY (Fits 1 year to 80 lbs/59 inches!). Our girls are now 2 and 3, these car seats still look brand new and are soooo comfortable! It's height-adjustable and as soon as the child outgrows the 5-point harness and seat cushion, you can remove them, converting the Young Sport into a booster seat. It's even easy to install and remove... AND It looks GREAT! I have Recaro's for both girls in my car. Bob has a nice Britax Boulevard carseat in his truck. We really like the Britax seat, but not as much as the Recaro's.

DR. SEARS!

The baby book that I lived by when it came to guidance on taking care of Sydney & Sophia when they were babies. I believe in the Dr. Sears way...proof is in my pudding ;) 

BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier

 

Above photo: Sydney was almost 3 months old in this photo.
We were heading to Canary Islands, Spain for vacation.

 Infants Mylicon

Provided us with sleep! Worked like a dream... give it only 15 minutes, gas is gone and our girls were sound asleep!!

Photo Above: Sydney @ 3 months... a very happy and GREAT sleeper despite the almost nightly gas.

 Chicco Hippo Travel Seat

Restaurant Table, Pop-up Camper Table, Grandmom's Dining Room or Kitchen Table, Hospital Cafeteria, an Outdoor Dining Table, wherever there's a table... This snaps easily on to almost any table and it FOLDS UP FLAT!! If filthy public highchairs gross you out, try the HIPPO!

 

Photo Above: Sydney almost 1-1/2 years old sitting in her HIPPO Chair. 

Assateague Island camping May 2007

Photos Above: Sophia @ 2 years old sitting in her HIPPO Chair.

Assateague Island camping May 2009

BABYBJORN Plate and Spoon

Of all the baby plate and spoons we have/had, the BabyBjorn Plate and Spoon was by far our favorite AND WE ARE STILL USING THEM. Minimal mess, no skid bottom and easy for the  little ones to self feed with its great shape.

 Photo Above: Sydney 14 Months old at school  eating breakfast ;) so cute!!

Photo Above: Sophia (2 years) eating Pasta!

BOB Stroller

comes in double or single... you do not feel like you're pushing a load even with 2 kids!!!

SVAN Chair

As soon as they were eating solids, we had them sitting in the SVAN high-chair which converts to a toddler/child chair which we use daily!! We have two of them... we love them and the girls love them. We always get compliments on these stylish chairs that match our decor.

Sydney 2 years old and Sophia 1 year... cleaning their Svan high-chairs!

Sophia and Sydney sitting in their Svan chairs at breakfast.

 Dollar Tree PINK Diaper DISPOSAL Bags with handles

Lastly.... Dollar Tree 100 PACK of PINK diaper disposal bags for $1! (similar to these). They even have a baby-powder SCENT. They are really good bags too. My sister, Esther, turned me onto these.

OH YEAH, can't forget the

Medela Double Breastpump Backpack

I used this when breastfeeding both girls and when I was out of town traveling for work. It worked great!

Odd assortment and from expensive to dirt cheap! These are the items that stick out in my mind right now... it's been a couple years, I'm sure I've forgotten a few infant and 1 year old items that I couldn't live without :). This was fun. 

Click Here to return to Kelly's Korner.

xo

Susan