Fun in Philly

The kids with Ben Franklin on U. Penn's campus

When the girls were little, we lived in downtown Philadelphia.  Now, whenever we get the chance to go back, we jump on it.  This year we spent a wonderful extended Mother's Day weekend there.

I love the city, it's not as big and intimidating as New York City but it has plenty of cultural and historical sites and more great restaurants than I could ever eat at.  

This trip, we spent most of our time on the University of Pennsylvania campus where the kids got to meet some of our old friends and even attend some classes.  

Having fun in class

After a class in Negotiations, Alyssa said, "That was a lot more fun than I expected.  I can't wait to go to college!"  

I just hope they didn't learn to many techniques on negotiating, because believe me they are already pretty good at it!    

Relaxing in the park

After a day on campus, we walked down to Center City and hung out in Rittenhouse Square.  We sat on a park bench and just watched the people go by.  Ryan's attention was focused on a woman twirling two glowing blue lights on some kind of string.  He was mesmerized.  We went over to check it out.  She showed him that there were two LEDs inside a silicone shell attached to a rubber cord.  Then she let him try it.  He swung them like lassos over his head and the blue light streaked around him.  He was thrilled, but we couldn't stay for long as it was getting to be time for dinner.         

Ryan learning a new skill

I've always loved the food in Philly.  There are so many different kinds of cuisine to choose from.  This time, because we are now mostly vegetarian, we stayed away from the Philly Cheese-steaks, (If you've never had an authentic one, you really should.  They are delicious!) but there were still plenty of healthy and delicious options.  

Enjoying mango smoothies before dinner

We found a great little Indian restaurant called the Philadelphia Chutney Company, where we shared two huge dosas (thin crepe like bread made from rice and lentils) filled with paneer, an Indian cheese, and lots of different veggies in a not too spicy curry sauce.  It was fantastic and even the kids loved it!

Ryan's favorite food is sushi, so one night we ate at our favorite little sushi place, Mizu Sushi Bar.  We had our fill then walked around some more.  (I just love all the walking we do in Philly.  Living in the suburbs in Ohio, we have to drive everywhere.  It's nice to be able to walk a couple blocks and get to just about anything!) Then we decided to treat the kids to dessert, so around 9:30 pm, we took them to Devon Seafood Grill, where we ordered, the most delicious carrot cake, apple turnover, and mango sherbet along with some coffees.  We had a wonderful evening full of conversation and laughter, but we were too stuffed to finish everything.

Mother's Day morning I was treated to a breakfast at Rachael's Nosheri which maybe wouldn't even catch most people's eye, but it is one of our favorite little breakfast spots.  It's really just a simple diner, but their food is excellent and much cheaper than any hotel breakfast.  They have the best challah bread French toast I've ever had and the kids love the chocolate chip pancakes.         

Mother's Day Breakfast at Rachael's Nosheri

Walking down Walnut Street shopping area

We didn't even make it to the Art Museum or Old City, where Independence Hall is, this time.  There are so many great things to see and do there.  

So if you get the chance to visit Philadelphia, take it and enjoy all the charm this wonderful big-little city has to offer.  

Kathy :)