august 29th - another bucket list item down

After 17 years of cursing those damn duck tour buses, we finally joined them for 80 minutes of annoying the hell out of the whole city. The kids really enjoyed it...mostly the water...the historic tour from our guide, Mallard Mark, was justifiably ignored.

We had our last meal out before moving day tomorrow at Han Dynasty in Old City. The kids loved the rice and Alex even ate sesame noodles with chopsticks. Followed it down with ice cream from Franklin Fountain and basically had to burn Gemma's outfit. She was drinking her ice cream out of the carton by the end 😄!!!!!

august 28th - daddy's back

The kids had a good day at the park with Mommy and even got happy birthday souvenir bags from a stranger's birthday that they did not attend. They got to play with all of their free stuff while at dinner with Mommy at Santucci's for pizza. Daddy got home from Seattle just in time for bedtime hugs. 

august 27th - double decker bus

Mommy took the kids on a double decker bus ride through Philly and it was a big hit, as usual. Lunch at Johnny Rockets for burgers and milkshakes, which caused some big smiles and dancing. 

august 26th - last day with jackie 😥

Today was the kids' last day with Jackie...not sure they understand the gravity of the situation. They went to Sister Cities for fun in the water park. Then, met up with Mommy for a special lunch at Shake Shack. Alex loved the burger, but Gemma only ate the shake!!  They had one last playdate with William, whose last words were, "I'm gonna miss you Alex."  

The kids made a present for Jackie to thank her for everything she has done for our family:(  they don't yet realize how much they will miss her....and Emily. 

Pizza at Chip and mickey's house and the kids were put to work. Alex walked Rufus and Gemma watered plants with Sandi. Mommy just drank with Mickey!!

august 25th - missing daddy

The kids went with Jackie to the Franklin Institute and Mommy made a yummy pasta dinner. Daddy was out of town in Seattle so they had to fend for themselves. 

august 24th - city stroll

Alex and Gemma went into the city with daddy to run an errand and we got some time in at Alex's favorite fountain "with the big grassy hill."  

august 23rd - open up

Daddy and the kids were playing hide and seek this morning...very creative hiding spots from Gemma. 

Dentist appointments this time around went very well. Both kids did not shed one tear and they were really cooperative with dentist. Alex was very proud of himself that he even got x-rays. 

One last dinner in town for Mommy and Daddy at Talula's Garden. Fun, emotional, delicious. 

august 22nd - expanding networks

We took the kids to their new school in Princeton today to meet their teachers and get a tour of the classrooms. Gemma immediately found a baby doll she plans to adopt and Alex loved the playground.  They are really excited, as are the teachers. 

We got to stop and check out the house progress before heading back to Philly. This afternoon the utility company set our street wires on fire and we had no power for 6 hours. Dinner at Sampan!

august 21st - we eat beef

Morning Glory for breakfast at the kids' request and a day spent hanging in the city. Mommy had a lot of time to pack and reach the conclusion that she wanted a steak. Alex said he wanted a burger for dinner, so they conspired to convince Daddy to take them out to dinner at Coeur. By the time we left, it was a horrible storm and we just jumped in every puddle on the way home.  

august 20th - mommy's new whip

Bright and early trek back to Princeton to check on house progress. We stopped at Whole Foods for coffee and Alex ate a chocolate muffin as big as his face. 

After we checked out the progress we went to pick out Mommy's new car. The kids got to provide their opinion and also got the five star treatment of a morning bagel and gourmet coffee. Alex turned down the coffee but threw the bagel down on top of his muffin. 

We stopped back in Philly for naps on our way to Delaware for Jackie and Fred's house warming party. The kids had a blast and Gemma made herself at home...fully adjusting someone's baby carseat to fit Curious George. 

august 19th - underage entry

Today was Chip's birthday and the kids were super pumped about our 7pm date for ice cream. We went to Big Gay Ice Cream (Chip's favorite...?) and afterward, Alex got to go with the adults for a drink at the South Street beer garden. 

august 18th - bordering on extinction

Daddy is in NYC for the day and the kids are paleontologists for the day. They went to the Academy of Natural Sciences with jackie. Our porches are finally started on our house...apparently masons are as rare a sighting as a triceratops. 

august 17th - sweet revenge

Jackie took the kids to play at Dilworth today and they got to take the water wands that Mommy bought. Last time we went, there were kids that had them and Alex was following them around for half an hour WAITING for the kid to put it down so he could snatch it up. Unsuccessful!

When Mommy gave them to the kids, Gemma says "A-ga we get those kids back!"  Absolutely unprompted. Absolutley hilarious. She has a killer instinct.  Lord help us. 

A little evening dress up....

august 16th - like the days at wizards

The house crises keep popping up and we keep knocking them down...like a boss. Had to pick out some new stone today, which required a ride to sunny Trenton, NJ at 7am. Jackie took the early shift, so Daddy and the kids went to see a movie...'The Secret Life of Pets.'  

Popcorn, snacks, and VIDEOGAMES. Alex and Daddy were partners in Alex's very first arcade game. Jurassic Park. We exercised our 2nd amendment right to bear arms and take down possessed dinosaurs. Alex LOVED. IT. 

august 15th - pizza for the president

The kids made it to the Constitution Center today for an educational visit. Alex came home and told us "he got to be president!"

When Daddy got home from work, we went for a walk around the neighborhood and Gemma decided for the family that we were going to go to Santucci's for dinner. Basically, she walked in by herself and asked for a table. She must have had a hinkering for square pizza....AND chocolate chip cookies!!!!!

august 14th - piggy back...and piggy front

Mommy had a 24-hour test drive of a new car, which went over very well with Alex. We got back to Philly and Alex helped pack up his room...in a very detail-oriented way. Daddy made everyone walk into the city through the blazing heat to have some fun. Our time in the city is winding down, so impromptu visits to Dilworth for water fun must be fully embraced...even if Daddy has to carry everyone. 

august 13th - family photo session day

We had a family photo session this morning around our neighborhood and the kids did great...even though GemGem was a little under the weather. After we wrapped up (all wet) we went back to Princeton to check on house progress and hand out at Beeps and Grandpa's house. It was soooo hot, sprinklers were a necessity. Especially since Grandpa made us sit outside for cocktails. 

august 12th - stone tech-ing it with my boy joe

In Princeton today to see our countertops being templated. Not exactly a high tech situation...wondering why they cost so much. We went out to dinner with Chip, Mickey, and Sandy to Nomad. Kids had some serious giggle time on the way home for cake (which Alex and Gemma baked).

august 11th - soaking it in

The kids went to the Please Touch Museum today with Jackie and we got out in the city for dinner at El Vez. Time is ticking down for our time as Philly residents, so we have been living it up. Insomnia Cookies for dessert. Not sure if the kids or Mommy was more excited. 

august 10th - small adjustments

Gemma has finally mastered bathtime and no longer gets soap in her eyes...or mouth.

august 9th - racing team

Alex got a new lego racecar from daddy and the kids are playing very nicely, taking turns taking laps around the ottoman. Gemma is a serious pit crew manager. 

august 8th - millwork

Moulding and more flooring going in...should be in by christmas. 

august 7th - crisis averted

Woke up to Alex all dazzled up for the day. We had to head to Princeton to see all the progress on our house. Lots of work done and some colors on the wall. Alex and Gemma were super excited about their rooms. 

august 6th - the journey home

It was a 2am wake up call to get the hell out of OBX before traffic started. Alex and Gemma were not quite ready to wake up. Gemma needed to take a stretch somewhere in Delaware because she was losing it. Back in Philly by 9am...just in time for Hawthorne's to open and get some breakfast. 

august 5th - last beach day

We rented jet skis this morning to take the kids out for a big adventure. Alex rode with Daddy (the fast jet ski) and Gemma with Mommy (the slow ride at Gemma's request. Lots of fun, lots of giggles. Took a pretty open tour around the bay and raced against each other. Alex in his glory. 

Last day at the beach and Mermaid Gemma enjoyed some final play in the sand. Alex is in love with the ocean and his confidence at the end of the week is awesome...scary...but awesome. We celebrated Julia's 13th birthday....13...explains a lot!!!

august 4th - fun in the sun

Family walk this morning on the boardwalk in search of fish that wanted to eat our leftover bread. We struck out on fish, but did find a really cool turtle that loved our italian loaf. Fun beach day with lots of sunshine...finally. 

We took some pictures on the beach and tried to make it down to the ampitheater lawn for a live band...walked up right at the final song, so we had some foot races instead. GemGem got her "pink ice cream with m&m's" before retiring back to 139 Duck Landing Lane. 

august 3rd - buried alive

Duck Donuts this morning at Alex's request and he was perplexed by the fact that we ordered in one place and picked up in a completely different place. He enjoyed watching the magic of making donuts, but was quickly compelled to scream "dad where are our donuts"...hunger and patience do not mix. 

We went for a long walk on the beach today and then Alex and Gemma buried Daddy in the sand. Gems went into town with everyone for ice cream while Daddy and Alex went for a dip in the pool. Followed by some hot tub time.