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!

Swing, Slide, Run and Hide...

On Thursday, we spent most of our day at the park. It is an extremely relaxing way for us to spend time together. Plus, it gets us out of the house for some fresh air!! Fall is the best time to go to a community playground. The big kids are back in school and the parks are peaceful and quiet.

Other great things about parks...
They're free!
The girls get great exercise and improve their gross motor skills... they are good at jumping, climbing and balancing! At times, Sydney still has a fear of falling, but will keep on practicing until she masters each skill.

They have so much fun together (sometimes with friends or cousins or they make new friends).

I like soaking in the suns rays because everyone needs some Vitamin D to keep them healthy!

.... AND THE BONUS!? The HOUSE is still CLEAN when we get home and they go to BED EARLY because we missed nap-time!

There are some great parks where we live. The closest park to where we live won Best of Philly for our county a few years ago. [probably the only year that Philly Mag had this category?]. The problem with this popular playground, it's crowded! The other park that we frequent is next to the library that we visit weekly near my Mom's house. It a nice little playground with a pavilion for picnic lunch and it's in a convenient location.  We recently tried another park near my Mom's house. It may be our favorite park yet! It has lots of walking/bike-riding paths, sports fields and picnic pavilions as well as a nice size playground. The girls had a blast climbing, sliding, balancing, running and riding their bikes. We pretty much had the place to ourselves so I took a few pictures.

Sophia climbing with no fear:

Sydney (white shorts):                        Sophia (flowered shorts):

balancing act:

Sophia:

The girls took some time to collect a few Fall leaves... they did not find many, but will have a bunch to choose from in a couple weeks:

IT IS SO CUTE HOW SOPHIA LIKES TO COPY EVERYTHING HER BIG SISTER DOES:

Sydney (pictured below) carrying her Fall leaves. Our tender, sweet little girl. Who loves nature.... bug, birds, leaves, trees. She loves everything about it.

It was a warm September day... and with all that climbing Sophia's shirt made her TOO HOT! 

(or so she said)... YOU ARE OUR FEARLESS little climber :)

I am having a SWINGING good time SLIDING into SAHM-hood (it's now 4 months and counting). I'm ENJOYING EACH and EVERY moment with my girls!
xo
Susan

Best Bedside Manner

Horsing Around

A couple weeks ago, Grandmom arranged a "wash Sebastian" activity for the girls. Sebastian was a little riled up for reasons that I cannot mention (trying to keep my Mom out of hot-water). The skittish pony did not keep the girls from hosing & sponging him down. It was a good lesson in teamwork :). After trying to clean him, we rewarded him with ginger-snap cookies then we saddle him up. The girls enjoyed riding him. As soon as we let him lose in the field, he rolled in the mud!

Sydney washed Sebastian with a sponge
Grandmom held the lead rope
Mommy hosed him

and then Sophia squeegeed the excess water and toweled him off-

Sophia is very comfortable in a saddle... she has no fear even when she's bouncing all over the place-- I can't believe she is only two! The learn so much so fast.

Big ol' friendly, ginger-snap eating Rita:

Two new colts with their mamma's

My nephew Chase... butterfly's will stay on his nose for hours... weird!?

Berry-Licious Day @ Willow Creek Orchards & Organic Farm

the clouds look painted perfect in the next picture:

Soooo proud from filling her entire basket... my little sweetheart:

A little taste before weighing-in. We ended up with four baskets.

Here are a couple pics inside the Willow Creek Orchard Market. It is an Organic Farm with a beautiful farmers market. I love this place.

click here to go to Willow Creek Orchards web-site