Autumn Adventures

Maddie enjoying a makeshift "playground" outside of the Camden aquarium with the Philadelphia skyline across the river.

We've had some autumn adventures so far, that is for sure...this weekend is finding us at home *gasp* Although there were like 4 different things we could have gone to... But the weather is beautiful and we're doing stuff around the house, taking it easy.

This past week/weekend had been busy enough. Let's see...last Saturday we went to Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ. The aquarium is located just across the river from Philadelphia, PA. It was a beautiful sunny day, if but a tad cool. I don't know why I thought about trying to go to the aquarium, but we did. (actually, we wanted to not do too much walking until Ron's toe healed all the way from his surgery, and the aquarium would be less walking compared to our normal fall haunt of the Maryland Renaissance Faire!)

Maddie and Daddy fighting off the crowds at one of the observation areas of the shark tank.

We really liked the aquarium, even compared to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I do think it was mostly due to the lack of crowds which let us spend as much time at the exhibits up close as long as we wanted compared to fighting to wait in line at the Baltimore aquarium! They had lots of interactive exhibits that would work for Maddie if she was a wee bit older, but she enjoyed watching the fish and animals (birds, penguins, seals, hippos) We did buy a picture taken of her there that was just too cute to say no to...(unfortunately you'll have to believe me on that one as our scanner is down for the count right now.

Here is a picture of Maddie resting in front of one of the self picture taking areas.. I don't know exactly what to call it, but it's where you can put your heads through holes and be a "fish", "turtle", etc.. They were too high for her, but she was able to sit nicely =) The T-shirt is not a bullseye by the way...It was something I couldn't help myself in buying. It is a picture of a record (yes, there are those around that remember vinyl) and it says "The Time Out Blues Band: Ain't Misbehavin' No More" I thought it was quite appropriate for her. Found it at Baby Blend Tees.

Last Sunday, I had to work again at the Blackbird Fall Festival So, for two weeks in a row Ron has had to entertain Maddie while I worked. Last Sunday though he brought her to the festival and she got to sit and listen to music, had her face painted with a rainbow and sun, and scampered about outside on another beautiful day.

Maddie all dressed up ready for Halloween! Yes, we do know what she's going to be...she picked it out all by herself! It's making its public debut most likely next Sunday at the Newark Halloween Parade!

This past week was also exciting as Wednesday was field trip day at Maddie's school! Mom Mom and Pop Pop came down from NJ and Mom Mom and Maddie enjoyed the field trip to a pumpkin patch where they picked corn, picked pumpkins, fed ducks, drank apple cider and went on a hayride! They had a blast! It was an extra special day as Mom Mom and Pop Pop spent the rest of the day with her picking out some mums for the flower garden in the front and went to the playground too! After a lovely dinner out, they had to depart - but we all had a good time together!