I was thrilled to be have a chance to surprise CeCe (and Eva) by visiting on CeCe's 4th birthday yesterday. I was in Minneapolis on business the day before, so I arranged to rent a car and drive to Iowa City the next day. I made it in time to pick up CeCe at her school. Wow was she surprised to see me at the door! All her schoolmates were really nice and pretty much mobbed me right inside the door. After some fun on playground, we went and had a special birthday lunch (at McDonald's, where else??). While we there, CeCe got to open her presents - a cool new jean jacket and a Barbie dance outfit. Then we went to Eva's school and watched her hard at work in 2nd grade. We also got to join for gym class, which was really run.
After school, we all went to the mall for ice cream and some fun at the Iowa Children's Museum. Then I dropped the girls off and headed for the airport. It was a quick visit, but it was really nice to be there for CeCe's birthday.
Here's the pictures!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Girls Visit PA - July 29-Aug 6, 2006
I forgot to cross-post this album from the girls visit to PA in July and August. In addition to the usual visit at Gram & Poppa's, we also went to Long Beach Island and Sesame Place.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Iowa Visit - Sep 23-34, 2006
I stopped by Iowa City last weekend for a quick, but very fun visit with my lovely daughters. I arrived Saturday around lunch time, and we kept ourselves very busy!
On Saturday, we went to the mall, because Eva really wanted to try ice skating again. That's become one of our special father-daughter things to do, which is cool. After grabbing a quick lunch at Arby's, we went to skate. Cece didn't want to try it at first (last time we tried but it was too slippery and scary for her!). But then, after Eva was putting on her skates, she changed her mind. So we all rented skates and got them laced on (I was already sweating and tired by the time we finished that job!).
Eva was off skating before me and Cece even had our skates on. Then we went over to the ice, and had to really work together to get past the funny slippery feeling and onto the ice. But then both girls skated like champs!
We also went so Smushie Land, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and the Iowa Children's Museum while we were hanging out at the mall.
When we got back home, Eva made us ham & cheese sandwiches for dinner. Then we decided to have a short ceremony for my long-time pal Raki. We buried his collar and used one of his brushes to mark the spot. Eva and I shed a few tears, and I was really glad the girls and I could share a few moments together to remember him. Here are some last pictures to remember him by:
Sat night we watched Homeward Bound II.
On Sunday, we got up, had breakfast (waffles), and then headed for the Niabi Zoo. That was a really nice, family-friendly zoo. No crowds, not too big, inexpensive. We spent about 4 hours there, and got some good pictures.
Then we stopped at another really nice children's museum in Bettendorf, IA. Finally, we had just enough time check out a Lock & Dam on the Mississippi River before our appointment at Eva's school. I got to meet her 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Temple and also see her apple tree in the orchard. They're picking the apples this week to make applesauce.
What a fun-filled, busy weekend we had! It was sad to say good-bye so soon, but I'm looking forward to many more visits like this in the future.
On Saturday, we went to the mall, because Eva really wanted to try ice skating again. That's become one of our special father-daughter things to do, which is cool. After grabbing a quick lunch at Arby's, we went to skate. Cece didn't want to try it at first (last time we tried but it was too slippery and scary for her!). But then, after Eva was putting on her skates, she changed her mind. So we all rented skates and got them laced on (I was already sweating and tired by the time we finished that job!).
Eva was off skating before me and Cece even had our skates on. Then we went over to the ice, and had to really work together to get past the funny slippery feeling and onto the ice. But then both girls skated like champs!
We also went so Smushie Land, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and the Iowa Children's Museum while we were hanging out at the mall.
When we got back home, Eva made us ham & cheese sandwiches for dinner. Then we decided to have a short ceremony for my long-time pal Raki. We buried his collar and used one of his brushes to mark the spot. Eva and I shed a few tears, and I was really glad the girls and I could share a few moments together to remember him. Here are some last pictures to remember him by:
Sat night we watched Homeward Bound II.
On Sunday, we got up, had breakfast (waffles), and then headed for the Niabi Zoo. That was a really nice, family-friendly zoo. No crowds, not too big, inexpensive. We spent about 4 hours there, and got some good pictures.
Then we stopped at another really nice children's museum in Bettendorf, IA. Finally, we had just enough time check out a Lock & Dam on the Mississippi River before our appointment at Eva's school. I got to meet her 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Temple and also see her apple tree in the orchard. They're picking the apples this week to make applesauce.
What a fun-filled, busy weekend we had! It was sad to say good-bye so soon, but I'm looking forward to many more visits like this in the future.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
The Pittsburgh Aquarium
The zoo has an aquarium, too, so we toured it while we were there.
Eva borrowed my camera and got some good shots of fish and rays.
The Pittsburgh Zoo
After a slightly rainy start, we had a great visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium on July 4th. The rain and the holiday kept the crowds down, but the animals were all out and about.
Brad has some zoo pictures on his Sileo Family Blog, too.
Brad has some zoo pictures on his Sileo Family Blog, too.
Gram was all set for rain in her new poncho...
Cece tried out her new hot pink Crocs - they worked well in the puddles!
And for climbing up this huge cargo net.
Leading to a bunch of fun slides.
Leading to a bunch of fun slides.
This boat ride led right past a big alligator, which was very exciting for David, but a bit scary for Cece! Thankfully, there was a fence keeping them separated...
Eva and Cece got to pet a couple of very friendly deer.
Pittsburgh Group Shots
The kids turned the "love pit" into a playhouse.
Here's all the grandkids with Gram & Poppa in the front yard.
Also check out the pictures of us wading in the creek and reading stories on Brad's Sileo Family Blog.
Here's all the grandkids with Gram & Poppa in the front yard.
Also check out the pictures of us wading in the creek and reading stories on Brad's Sileo Family Blog.
Sword fight in Pittsburgh
David and Zack (cousins in Pittsburgh) have some very different dress-up clothes and games than what the girls are used to. Here's Cece and David having an intense sword fight. Everyone survived...
Later in week, Cece and Zack got cleaned up together in a nice hot bath.
Later in week, Cece and Zack got cleaned up together in a nice hot bath.
Visiting Friends in Allentown
We met some old friends at Ricky Park in Orefield, right across the street from our old house. It had all new playground equipment, and everyone had a really nice time seeing each other again. Dawn Davis was a huge help organizing the event - she brought nice cooler full of drinks, snacks, and desert, and ordered pizza for everyone. THANKS DAWN!
Dawn also posted some pictures she took.
Dawn also posted some pictures she took.
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