Girl on a swing.

Catch that train!

A few weeks back, we took an afternoon visit to the Morris Arboretum. The best thing about Morris, these days, is they have a magnificent working train diarama,(there's a fancy word for displays like these--oh yes, Garden Railway.) and since Booboo's most recent obsession lately is trains, we couldn't miss it.

They also have a bird's nest, complete with giant robin's eggs.

(yep, that's Thomas!)

And gorgeous flowers.

Enjoying a bit of cool from the fountain.

The Wetlands Institute

At the end of our trip to the shore, we found this place. The main attraction was turtles, but we also did some enjoyable bird and octopus watching, as well.

A Red-winged Blackbird.

Booboo and Sharkie.

Our new buddy Octavia, that inspired this:

The Mists of Avalon, NJ

Ok, I always feel bad when there's a huge hiatus in blogging, because at this point, I just want to get the pictures up, but there you are. Booboo and I are travelling to Seattle in a couple weeks, and I want to make sure I'm up to date before that trip, so, here's the first half of our summer:

(I did fix the dates, so they match up pretty well to the events.)

trying on Mommy's sunglasses.

Avalon beach on a cloudy day.

The Pool. (It glowed at night, much to Booboo's delight.)

Boo in a hole.

East Coast beaches are much more fun when it's sunny!

W & V in NYC.

A couple weeks back, we had a fun trip to New York, up to Woodstock to see Nonnie and Papa, but were able to take a short break to visit w/ W and her little girl V. It had been about 6 months since our last visit, so it was so lovely to check in and get to visit. We had a little picnic at the park across from her apt. I still think, if you're gonna do New York, it's a nice way to do it. Booboo had a blast pointing out the taxis on our way up the West Side Highway.

W & V, Booboo and Me.

Two Cutiepies.

Hope to see you both soon, W and V!

And up to Woodstock! What a gorgeous place this time of year, and the weather cooporated for some perfect chill time on the porch, and of course, obligatory pic next to the waterfall.

Booboo and Yaya.

Enjoying Nonnie's very soft green grass.

Fun trinket we picked up at Stan's Junk Shop.

Now how do I get down, Mommy?

Giggly Girls.

Nonnie bought Booboo a Mets Cap. As an adopted Phillie, I'm still not sure how I feel about this...

Back to Cooper Lake for rock throwing, and Daddy found a painted turtle!

Portrait.

Playing w/ sticks.

Self-portrait of The Boo and I.

Cooper Lake. Ahhhhh...

Sharing Philly.

Redeeeep!

A few weeks ago, we had the joy of hosting one of my old and dearest friends here in Philadelphia. We took her to two of my favorite places--Longwood Gardens (of course,) and Historic Philadelphia, which I really hadn't visited since another C's visit at the beginning of this blog! Since C is from Sweden, and involved with the government there, it was very interesting to hear a little bit of her perspective of our history. Our founding fathers were rather remarkable guys. I told her, as someone who has spent a good part of my life wishing I was European, it was very gratifying to see just what was accomplished by Jefferson, Franklin, and the rest. And it left with me with a big thirst for more. I know there's been several good recent books written about that part of our history, and I intend to seek them out.

Our visit to Independence Hall was really quite fascinating. C asks such thought provoking questions and gets me really thinking about things. I love that about her visits. Booboo enjoyed herself, too. For one, was very tickled that she and C share a love for all things purple!

The gorgeous dress Booboo is wearing is one of many generous presents from C--isn't the print just stunning?

C&C at the Big Box Store.

Booboo with Siberian Iris

C in front of Independence Hall.

Where a lot of the action took place!

Portrait of Marie Antoinette, to encourage America to take the French side against the British, given by Louis XVI. This was of particular interest to me, as some of my ancestors were French royalists, and came over to Pennsylvania to make a haven for Marie Antoinette right before the revolution. Of course, she never got there, but the spot near Wyalusing is still called Azilum (or French Asylum) to this day because of it. Gpa B's mother (my Grandmother) was a descendant of the Homet family mentioned. Apparently, they were one of the few family groups that ended up staying in Pennsylvania.

Easter Goodness.

So, it seems kind of anticlimatic after the cat rescue story, but I wanted to get these pictures of Easter up before it's Christmas. The most important thing to know about Easter at the Tea's is--Egg Hunting is a Very Serious Affair. Booboo was loving her bunny ears (Made by Yaya, of course) and wanted to wear them on her egg hunt. I really wanted some cute, happy smiley easter pics in her fabu easter dress, but had to accept the fact indeed, that Egg Hunting is some Very Serious Business, indeed. To illustrate:

And

Bun and Bird.

Always finding treasures...

Booboo makes a nest for her new purple chirpy bird.

I for one, had fun putting the table together, and got a chance...

To cook my first lamb! Yum. (Baa!)

We finished off w/ some delectable Strawberry Shortcake. It was such a balmy day, we enjoyed it under the dogwood tree outside. Delish!

Wonderful Easter treats were provided by Nonnie and Papa, and the books of the day, Thomas the train, and The Little Engine That Could, inspired Booboo's newest obsession.

Beyond ducks, eggs and bunnies, long held vital in the eyes of the Boo, we now present...

ENGINES! (For those of you w/ children long obsessed with Engines and the Trains they carry, this may seem old hat I'm sure, but for Booboo, Engines are a new and exciting discovery.) They could be with us a long while.