zone defense: July 2016

july 30th - philly to obx

We packed up the car at 4am and left for our annual Burger Family Carolina Wine Mixer. The kids are pretty hilarious when they don't know what planet they are on and laugh uncontrollably. 4am is odd all around.

Made a quick stop to our new breakfast favorite in Virginia Beach and made it to Duck, NC by lunchtime. Took almost 8 hours in total due to the immense traffic trying to get onto the island. Good lunch at Sunset Grill and got into our house early. Party time!

july 29th - creativity

A day at the Please Touch Museum with Jackie and their buddy William since it was a bit rainy this morning.

We randomly stopped in to The Expressive Hand on our way home from the grocery store. We have been talking about going there for years and finally did it. The kids picked out pottery and painted it to be glazed. Alex picked out a treasure chest. Gemma picked out a princess castle. Mommy painted a bowl. Big mess. Gemma used every brush in the place. Lots of smiles.

july 28th - countertops ✅

The kids spent the day at the Nest playing dress up and Mommy & Daddy spent the day picking out stone for our new countertops. Mommy found the perfect slab of stone and is very excited. Only 400% over budget.

july 27th - block parties and geography

The floors are done!...at least on the main floors. The basement is yet to come since there is some prep work that needs to be done.

We hit the DNC block party in East Passyunk tonight and the kids got the opportunity to run down the closed streets. Mexican at Cantina, gelato at Capogiro, and music in the square.

Mommy got Alex a puzzle that is a map of the United States and he alreadt puts it together by himself, knows a lot of the states by name, and has a prioritized list of the ones he wants to visit.

july 26th - movie day

Rainy day turned into a movie afternoon complete with popcorn for these three BFFs. It was Mickey's birthday today so Alex got a special treat of being able to have birthday cake...and take Rufus for a walk!

july 25th - floors

Hardwood floors started today and it is really f'ing exciting.

july 24th - happy birthday uncle francis

Little Luke is home from the hospital so Uncle Ryan and Aunt Erin hosted a little party to celebrate Uncle Frank's birthday. All the cousins were there for some quality time. Alex even asked to hold Luke and did a very nice job.

july 23rd - pool time

Mommy took Alex and Gemma back to Millersville for a day at the pool and some grandparent time. They were a little upset it rained in the afternoon but very excited that Daddy saw an alligator. Even more excited to hear we fed the alligator marshmallows and hot dogs.

july 22nd - flying high

The ZOO BALLOON. Finally! Jackie took the kids to the zoo with their buddy William and they got to go up in the zoo balloon. Waited very patiently in line and loved being able to see PHILADELPHIA!!!!

july 21st - a day with daddy

Daddy took the kids for a special day today before heading out of town. We had breakfast at Sabrina's where Alex discovered a new love for turkey sausage. He and Gemma basically ate all of Daddy's breakfast in addition to their own. Then, off to the Franklin Institute where Alex acted as our tour guide. He knew where everything was and marched us around to each area. Gemma picked out a new "bag" (of course) for her water bottle from the gift shop. Alex got new construction trucks.

Daddy left for New Orleans so it was honemade pizza night with Mommy. Gemma's must have been hot...

july 20th - super mom

Mommy is packing up a storm and we all lack appreciation! Grandmom Burger was down last night for dinner and tonight we went out with the Higgins clan to get some Mexican at Tres Jalapeños.

july 19th - calling an audible

Alex and Gemma went all the way to playgroup today with Jackie and it was CLOSED! Alex almost had a mental breakdown, but a day at 'the nest' dressed as a racecar driver was the right dose of medicine to make him feel better.

july 18th - recovery continues

Monday came too soon but back to work we go...after last crap work week, it can't get any worse. Alex and Gemma put together a nice collection of artwork today in the backyard.

july 17th - dreby is 40

Todd Dreby had a 40th birthday party last night, so today has been challenging. Alex and Gemma stayed at Beeps and Grandpa's house last night so Mommy and Daddy acted like 21 year olds. Lots of regret. Kids had a blast and spent tons of time playing outside, running in the sprinklers. Alex "worked very, very hard" on a parking lot he made for daddy.

Been soaking in every last minute of philly fire hydrant time.

july 16th - aquarium by boat

Daddy took Alex and Gemma to the aquarium today to see "sharks and hippos!" We took an alternate mode of transportation that Alex was "very super excited" about...the ferry boat. It was a million degrees out today so we put the "adventure" in Adventure Aquarium. Alex took pictures of all the animals with his camera and Gemma pretended to take pictures with her toy cellphone. Had a minor injury when GemGem banged her chin on a park bench, but made it back in time for good afternoon naps.

july 15th - science

Jackie took the kids to the Franklin Institute today and they had a blast. Great fun learning about science...very excited they got to see a demonstration of a balloon being sprayed with liquid nitrogen. "IT SHRUNK AND THEN IT POPPED!!!!!" They saw a 3D movie about dinosaurs and were both concerned that a dinosaur lost a tooth in the movie.

july 14th - sweet gemma

Always taking care of her babies and making sure they are fed, changed, and getting enough sleep. She even says "ssshhhhhh" if we talk too loudly during nap time.

july 13th - rain day

The rain kept the kids inside baking brownies today, but did not impede the progress on Walnut Lane. The entire house is now sheetrocked and the taping/spackling is in effect.

july 12th - diablillos

These two jerks never sit still. We went to dinner at Blue Corn for a little Mexican fix. Gemma was eating guacamole straight out of the bowl with her hands. Then, she got up a danced. ..solo.

july 11th - zoo day

A day at the zoo with their friends Lucy and Remy. Gemma and Alex were SO excited that they got to ride on a camel and A PONY!!! Gemma came in from outside and immediately told Daddy that she got to ride on a pony. So happy!!

july 10th - smith at last

We finally made it to Smith Playground. It is six acres of kid stuff in the middle of Fairmount Park. Last time we went it was closed due to wetness. Alex was not pleased.

july 9th - life at 277

We went to breakfast with cousins Farrah and Ashlyn and then took them past our house so Gemma could show everyone her room. The kids loved racing down our neighbors driveway. Hopefully we soon have our own yard for them to run around. Stopped by the Dreby's on our way past Newtown for later night S'mores and playtime. Kids had a blast...made a huge mess!!

july 8th - luke...i am your father

The kids spent their day today at the children's garden in Camden to celebrate their friends William's birthday. Mommy and Daddy were celebrating our family's newest addition, Luke Burger. Aunt Erin went in to give birth and Luke would have been here a day earlier if her anesthesiologist did not bump her surgery to attend an emergency surgery on Jack Burger! Yes, cousin Jack was bitten by a dog pretty seriously and diverted the medical staff's attention away from his baby cousin. Already screwing him over and he wasn't even born yet. The whole damn Burger family, including ex-Burgers were occupying floors 2 through 3 at Capital Health. Only in New Jersey.

july 7th - gemma's first movie

The crew started sheetrock this morning at our house. Crazy seeing walls go up...feel badly for the guy that had to tape and spackle.

We took the kids to see 'Finding Dory' for Gemma's first movie experience. It was in 3D and the kids loved the glasses. Ate their body weight in popcorn. Gems talked through the whole thing. Hilarious.

july 6th - ROAR!!!!

New dinosaur exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Kids have been making dinosaur sounds all day.

july 5th - protected

We have insulation!

july 4th - 'merica's birthday

After singing happy birthday to America over patriotic pancakes, we went to the parade at Independence Mall. Gemma stole the show and even had photographers stopping to take her picture. They both really loved the parade. Alex almost lost it when the star wars characters walked by...STORM TROOPERS!!!!

july 3rd - rules

Daddy took the kids to Zaitz today to play on the playground. Spent more time collecting rocks to throw them in the creek. Alex and Gemma LOVED it! Had a picnic at the Proc's in the afternoon down in Tabernacle. Alex loved the outdoor kitchen.

Alex: "daddy are you hungry?"

Daddy: "yes, what are you cooking in there?"

Alex: "we are making cheeseburgers and grilled cheese."

Daddy: "great, make me a cheeseburger."

Alex: "you have to order at the other window."

Rules are important!

july 2nd - more weekend fun

Spent the morning at Independence Hall being patriotic and then went to Beeps and Grandpa's house to run in the sprinklers. Somehow the grandparents had more fun with the sparklers than the children. That must be what happens when Grandpa is on vacation and doesn't know what to do with himself.

july 1st - the weekend kicks off with a bang

Mommy and Daddy continue the summertime friday lunch series. A drink or two over the limit at Oyster House turned into jackass abuse on the way home.goota love DNC decorations. Alex and Gemma loved the fireworks at Penn's Landing tonight. They were very patient waiting for it to get "super dark."

june 30th - is it friday yet?

A day at the Franklin Institute, which allowed the kids to see the new dinosaurs at the Academy of Natural Sciences on their way over. Very exciting.

The Burger clan went out for a nice dinner at Parc in Rittenhouse with a stroll through the city. Alex got his money's worth at Capigiro.

june 29th - moosic

The kids went to music class today and had an awesome time. Gemma and Alex were both excited to tell daddy the played the drums.

june 28th - someone is two-and-a-half

Gemma went for her check up today and everything went swimmingly. She even open her mouth really wide on command. Dr Hill was impressed. Daddy couldn't make it but got to participate via FaceTime to make sure Gemma was behaving.

Height : 35 inches (53%)

Weight: 27 lbs (34%)

Head: 19 5/8 inches (89%)