Rich had a conference in Philly this weekend and we decided to make it a family event. We drove down Thursday night. It rained for 90% of the way. Not that sprinkley, dusting your windshield, lowest setting on the wipers kind of rain. It was a hard-core downpour. Surprisingly, Violet slept through the entire thing. We were weary travelers stumbling into our hotel room at 11pm.
On Friday Rich had his conference so Violet and I enjoyed a quiet day, walking to a near-by mall and dipping our feet in the hotel pool (I forgot our suits). Overall, Violet did exceptionally well with being away from home and sleeping in a pack n' play for a few naps and three nights of sleep. The only 'bump in the road' occurred when we attempted to go out for dinner to celebrate our 7th anniversary. It was only a Macaroni Grill and it was directly across the street from our hotel. What could go wrong?!?!
Well, we were the table getting all the attention at the Macaroni Grill that night. We wheeled V's stroller (fully stocked with entertainment) next to our table, ordered our appetizer and settled in for a quiet family dinner. Moments later, Violet gave us the sign that she was ready to sit on our laps. And only moments after that - she started to wail. She wailed and wailed and wailed through our lame attempts to distract her. The couple sitting across from us continually gave us the hairy eye-ball and we were forced to wolf down our fried calamari and apologetically ask the waitress for our dinners 'to-go'. Not sure what we were thinking. Violet was exhausted. And after that episode - so were we.
We can't complain though. She was a champ during our tromp through downtown Philly the next day. I think (and am hopeful!) Violet loves traveling as much as her parents.
The only other remarkable happening occurred as we were leaving our final stop in Manayunk (a cool town right outside of Philly). I was pushing Violet out of the restaurant we had just eaten at and a table of two were smiling at her as we passed. I overheard the gentleman ask his female companion if she wanted to have children (I assume it wasn't a first date!). "Sometimes I do," she replied, "Then I think I would really miss my old life." Interesting. I looked down at Violet and thought back to last year when Rich and I were visiting Philly - sitting at that same restaurant and walking up that same street without her.
I don't miss my old life - I love my new one.
On Friday Rich had his conference so Violet and I enjoyed a quiet day, walking to a near-by mall and dipping our feet in the hotel pool (I forgot our suits). Overall, Violet did exceptionally well with being away from home and sleeping in a pack n' play for a few naps and three nights of sleep. The only 'bump in the road' occurred when we attempted to go out for dinner to celebrate our 7th anniversary. It was only a Macaroni Grill and it was directly across the street from our hotel. What could go wrong?!?!
Well, we were the table getting all the attention at the Macaroni Grill that night. We wheeled V's stroller (fully stocked with entertainment) next to our table, ordered our appetizer and settled in for a quiet family dinner. Moments later, Violet gave us the sign that she was ready to sit on our laps. And only moments after that - she started to wail. She wailed and wailed and wailed through our lame attempts to distract her. The couple sitting across from us continually gave us the hairy eye-ball and we were forced to wolf down our fried calamari and apologetically ask the waitress for our dinners 'to-go'. Not sure what we were thinking. Violet was exhausted. And after that episode - so were we.
We can't complain though. She was a champ during our tromp through downtown Philly the next day. I think (and am hopeful!) Violet loves traveling as much as her parents.
The only other remarkable happening occurred as we were leaving our final stop in Manayunk (a cool town right outside of Philly). I was pushing Violet out of the restaurant we had just eaten at and a table of two were smiling at her as we passed. I overheard the gentleman ask his female companion if she wanted to have children (I assume it wasn't a first date!). "Sometimes I do," she replied, "Then I think I would really miss my old life." Interesting. I looked down at Violet and thought back to last year when Rich and I were visiting Philly - sitting at that same restaurant and walking up that same street without her.
I don't miss my old life - I love my new one.
This is the building where my independence was born? Sweet.
Violet enjoyed stetching her legs at the City Tavern Restaurant. This was the unofficial meeting place of the First Continental Congress in 1774. GW was known to have ordered a pint or two here.This round's on me!
Yum, Geno's beats Pat's cheese steaks anyday.
Rich's favorite Founding Father.Ben Franklin -'The First American'
Ben, who? Violet preferred to read her Busy Bee book over critiquing 17th Century European paintings at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
First cab ride
Jeeesh...my dogs are barkin'.
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