Zoo Day

Last weekend we went to the Zoo again. Viv tried many new things. Forgive the blurry photo (wrong camera again) but I had to show you the butterfly Viv selected for her carousel ride.
Viv asked to go on the horse.

Jeff said the horse was much more comfortable than the camel.

We also went on the Swan ride for the first time.

It was hot work.

Again, a blurry shot, but look at the leopard Viv chose! She chose it by name.

4th of July Kickoff

Last Saturday Philadelphia kicked off its Welcome America week long celebration culminating in the big Fourth of July festivities. This year our friends David and Whitney invited us to picnic with them at Penn Treaty Park. The park was a great location to view the fireworks over the Ben Franklin Bridge. Viv had a great time playing with Dave and Whitney's daughter, Maddie.

Waiving the flag.

Whitney and Charlie. Charlie and Elli are buds.

The girls thought the glow sticks were awesome. No pictures of the fireworks... we had the wrong camera with us - but they were great!

After school play

Viv likes to push her baby stroller around the sidewalk. She prefers to push her ball in the stroller and not her baby doll...
Her neighborhood buddy Leo.

Emily

My friend's daughter Emily loves babies. She had a great time with Elli.

Happy Fathers' Day

Double Rainbows Philly Style

Perhaps not as idyllic as a Hoosier rainbow but Philly can do double rainbows, too. This one (if you look close) was a perfect double arch rising out of the city and stretching over our lovely neighborhood prison. We call that, rainbows with attitude. :)

A Fountain and the Summer Palace

There are many fountains at the Morris Arboretum. Viv enjoyed this particular fountain the most.
Just after this photo was taken Viv fell into the fountain; don't worry, the fountain is only a few inches deep. She emerged wet but otherwise fine.

Resting in one of the gazebos.

See the nest-like structure in the background? That's the Summer Palace.

Isn't it cool? No man made materials were used to create this giant nest/palace. You can even walk inside it.

Elli loved the day so much she smiled for the camera!

The Garden Railway

The Morris Arboretum builds a Garden Railway each summer.
The structures are all made out of natural materials.

Wondering why the trains were going through the garden.

Out on a Limb

We took Viv to the Morris Arboretum for the first time. She had a great time at the Out on a Limb installation.
Out on a Limb has a giant bird's nest with giant bird eggs inside.

The other part of Out on a Limb allows children to experience life in the trees from the perspective of a squirrel.

Viv really liked climbing on the netting. Just fyi, she was about 40' off the ground!

More arboretum photos to come.

Friends at the Zoo

Viv spent some time at the Zoo with her new friend the camel.
Kathryn came as well. The girls had fun saying "cheese" for this photo.

Such cuties.

Swann Memorial Fountain

Viv loves "water falls" and she especially enjoys the Swann Memorial Fountain.

Two Months Old!

Elli was 2 months old on Monday the 7th.
She had her two month doctor's appointment on Monday as well. She had a gold star appointment. She's gained 3 pounds and grew 3 inches since her last doctor's appointment when she was 1 and 1/2 weeks old.

A rare photo where her legs aren't moving.

Last Weekend

We were busy last weekend. Friday was the Toddler House Mothers Tea. Viv enjoyed the food.
Viv's new head teacher Michelle.

Viv's other teacher Ty'chelle.

Just us girls.

Saturday and Sunday we worked on our back patio. We had lots of seedling to plant.

Monday we walked around the neighborhood. This is Viv's favorite statue.