East Coast Round-up

Here is a long over due round-up of Mommy and Ava's East Coast trip last month. We headed out to Delaware and New Jersey with Nanny Jane to visit Great Grandma Martha and Ava's Great Auntie, Sarah and Ann. We're a lucky family to be able to have 4 generations all together. Ava was a pro on the plane trips soaking in all the sights, enjoying new snacks, making friends and embracing the adventure. The time change wasn't so great for Mommy but we rolled with it.


Ava was completely enchanted by Great Grandma's furnished 3 story doll house. She kept herself busy organizing the silverware in the kitchen cupboards, "vacuuming" the carpets and setting up the beds.


Great Grandma took us out to the Delaware Museum of Natural History to run off a little energy. Ava got to see dinosaurs, wild animals, shells and hang out with this little fox family.


Always the little examiner, Ava loved the trails behind the museum where she could pick flowers, listen to the crickets and hang out with her new little dino friend from Great Grandma.


Then it was off to the beautiful Winterthur gardens to see their Enchanted Woods filled with "forest fairies". Ava loved exploring this amazing place for kids that is all created out of natural materials: a giant thatch bird's nest complete with giant wooden eggs to roll around, winding poem paths, a fairy cottage and misty mushrooms. Really one of the most interesting and beautifully designed children's parks we've been to. Ava's Grandpa Pete would have been very inspired by this place.


Feeding the fish Cheerios with Uncle Jerry.



Then it was off to New Jersey to Aunt Sarah's house.




Ava was drawn like a magnet to the lake right out in their backyard. You guessed it, instant skinny-dipping for a toddler. She's still talking about watching Uncle Denny take Perky the doggie swimming, feeding the fish and actually catching her first fish with Denny.


It takes a lot of energy to keep kids safe around water but I can see how it would be totally worth it. Ava was is heaven out there - and so was Mom was with lots of eyes to watch her. Too bad it wasn't just a bit warmer.



To further endulge this little water loving kid we headed to the Adventure Aquarium. They had a very cool hippo exhibit where Ava watched the silly but graceful animals swim upclose. She even got to touch a shark.


But most of all we just had a good time hanging out with family and talking - staying up late. I think this was the night that Ava refused to go to bed and instead wanted to explore Cousin Abby's room yet again and watch football with Uncle Denny.


Thanks guys, hope we make it back soon!