We stayed with Schuyler's grandparents during our visit to Pittsburgh. They live near an elementary school, so we made several trips to the playground. Schuyler's cousin, Alyssa, joined us. Bethany enjoyed having another kid to play with. Schuyler always enjoys getting to be a kid again at the playground!
We made several outings while in Pittsburgh. The first was to the Children's Museum. The kids had a blast! Can you find Bethany in the big tower? There was even a room just for Caroline's size. Yes, that's rice in the play box. The basement consisted of several craft areas...Bethany got to do one of her favorite things - cut paper! Our next excursion was to the Pittsburgh Zoo. We saw all kinds of animals, but Caroline still liked the ducks the best! Grammy had fun showing the girls the penguins - her favorite. After her lake experience, Caroline was ready to swim with the fish. Let me at 'em! Bethany wasn't too sure about actually petting the animals; Caroline just wanted them to get up and play! On Saturday, we took a boat ride on the Good Ship Lollipop along the three rivers. (Can you name them all?) We all enjoyed the views of downtown and places of interest along the rivers. Clowns aboard the ship made balloons for the girls. Major crisis, though, when Bethany's first balloon blew into the river...the clowns quickly remedied the situation with another one!
Obviously there was a lot of eating on this vacation. Bethany couldn't get enough pizza or corn, which to our delight, was in season! What is not pictured are the morning trips to the Oakmont Bakery just down the street from Great-Grandpa's house. Quite an operation! Thanks Pop-pop for the morning treat.
Bethany still enjoys being read to, and there were more than enough people to oblige. The girls had lots of fun with toys delivered from Aunt Joan's attic - toys that continue to provide more hours of imaginative fun long after her own kids have outgrown them. A trip to Oakmont isn't complete without a few rounds at the player piano. Bethany was old enough this year to catch fireflies. (Due to her severe aversion to thunderstorms, we avoided the term "lightning bug".)
After the usual family photo session, we were outward bound for DFW. The hot, steamy Texas air gave us quite a homecoming... nevertheless, there's no place like home!