Checking back in from Philly

So yesterday was a blast!  We maximized the Philadelphia Pass already!  Yesterday's activities included rushing down to Chestnut and 6th to catch the 10am Duck Tour.   We were briefly sweating it out as the Black Lives Matters protesters gathered at Philly City Hall and caused a bit of a traffic jam.  Thankfully our driver knew all the backroad short cuts and we made it in plenty of time.  Our tour guide on the duck tour was hilarious and fantastic so if you ever take a Duck Tour in Philly ask for Andrew - See pic below.
From there we had a relaxed lunch at the Independence Beer Garden.  I know, everyone is laughing cause I don't drink, and I was with 3 underage kids.  BUT, the location was perfect and it was surrounded with greenery, great tables, and they had Jenga games on all the tables which Koen, Tessa, and Bridget played while we waited.

After lunch we boarded the Big Bus right on Arch Street near the Independence Visitor Center.  We were on the top level and it was a super sunny nice day so we really got an amazing very of the city from the top of the bus.  I included a few pix below..

The kids were dying to go over to the Adventure Aquarium after the Bus Tour which stopped in front of our hotel, so we drove over to Camden to check it out.  We all enjoyed the exhibits which included hippos, sharks, touch tanks, and lots of exotic fish.

As if that wasn't enough for the day, we ended our day over at the Spruce Street Harbor Park which also has lots of games for kids (life size checkers, chess, connect four) and most importantly, many hammocks to relax in.  Koen was determined to stay as long as possible and relax in the hammocks.

Today was back to reality for me as I had to attend my work meetings, but thankfully Bridget took the kids to see the Academy of Natural Science which had a big dinosaur exhibit with interactive segments which the kids loved.  They also made it over to the Reading Terminal Market which is similar to Quincy Market in Boston but much bigger.  I was so impressed they made it over there in a cab.  The also ventured out to see Betsy Ross' house but it was already closed for the day.  We will head back there tomorrow...

 Enjoying the Academy of Natural Science.

 Gooballs!

Our goofy Duck Tour guide Andrew!  He was the best!!!

A hippo at the Aquarium!

 Spruce Street Harbor Park.

 Relaxing in the hammock.

Taking Philly By Storm

We whizzed into the city by 12:30, took a quick ride by the hotel to check it out, then headed straight down to the historic district.  Parked right beyond Washington Square, then walked right up 6th, and through the parks to get to the Visitor Center where we needed to pick up our Philadelphia Passes.  Excited that we will be able to use them over the next few days to see a ton of attractions that are all included!  Bridget arrived safe and sound with Colleen around 4pm.  The kids swam then we headed to the Shake Shack for dinner then over to South Street for ice cream at Hagen Daz.  YUM!

Since the DNC is coming up in 2 weeks in Philadelphia there are 57 (50 states, D.C. and the 6 US Territories) painted donkeys all over the city.  We are trying to spot as many as possible while we are here.  So far, Tessa has a running list of what we have seen.  New Hampshire, Ohio, Nevada, and Kansas.  We will let you know when we find Massachusetts.

Kids are pooped and were asleep by 9:30.  Tomorrow we jump on the Duck Boats at 10am and see the city!  Yippee!

 We made it!

 Checking out the dinosaur display for The Academy of Natural Sciences which is right next to our hotel!!!

 Found the New Hampshire Donkey in the Visitor's Center.

 Checking out the Washington Square Park Fountain.

 Swimming at the pool at the hotel.

Found another DNC Donkey on our walk.

 Koen's ice cream cup.  The spoon changes color from blue to Purple with the cold!  They only offered the cool spoons to the kids, though.

 Had to go all the way over to South Street to find an Ice Cream shop that was open!  Cool neighborhood though.

Our view from the Shake Shack.

Off to Philly and Lake Anna

Waking up with an excited feeling inside as we (Me, K & T) are headed to Mormor's house this afternoon to sleep over, then drive to Philly tomorrow morning to explore!  I may have mentioned this previously but Tessa is our resident history buff and is dying to check out all the sites in Philadelphia.  

It all started out as a get together weekend with college roommates down at Colleen's lake house in VA, but then a work trip popped up in Philly.  So we modified the plan slightly and now the kids get check out two places instead of one.  YAY!

Lisa is fully engaged in a graduate program at Lesley University so she will miss the Philly part of the trip but is flying down on Friday morning so she can spend the weekend with all of us at the lake. :-)  I have to hand it to Lisa as she manages to stay so focused on her studies when there is so much going on around her and the family.

Don't worry about Levi, he will be hanging with his peeps (having a blast) in Sudbury.  The kennel provides all day "rough and tumble" play so he gets to be with his pack.  Nothing better to tire him out than all day play!

More later...

 Our sleepy pup, Levi.

Koen and Tessa hanging with their cousins at Mormor's house in CT.