Tourist Weekend

We decided to have a fun weekend! Our lovely hotel has a great continental breakfast and Jaylia got to have as much bacon as she wanted! 

Our first stop was the Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo.

This was all that we saw of birds because there is an avian flu going around. No birds were on display.

Cool original home of William Penn's grandson. It was the first of the neo classical design in America and is almost a perfect cube.

No kangaroos on display either. We did see a rhino tho! 

Then we headed to the historical district and saw the outside of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Incredible to see and read more about. 

Then we went to Reading Terminal Market. Jaylia had a really yummy ice cream and Jon and I split an alligator sausage po'boy. It was quite tasty!

Sunday we were all tired so we got a late start. Headed out about 2PM to Betsy Ross's house. I've always loved her story, but seeing her home (that she only rented! she never owned a home) was incredible. We were able to be in the room where she met with Washington and sewed our nation's first flag!  I was in awe of her bravery and dedication to freedom. 

Jay had fun too. 😂. Then we walked over to the Benjamin Franklin Museum. 

Where his house once stood.  The museum was very fun and informative. He must have been a very neat person. Makes me wish I had a time machine. 

Benjamin Franklin and his wife's grave.

Then we went to Franklin square, there is a playground and carousel and mini golf. We didn't golf but Jay enjoyed the chance to run and play and ride the carousel twice!

Then we headed back to the hotel. Jaylia hoped for Chinese food for dinner, but our Ubereats delivery guy apparently needed dinner more than we did and never brought us our food. Uber eats refunded everything plus some for our trouble, and we ate food I'd ordered from a grocery delivery yesterday. Jaylia wasn't super crushed about dinner, so in the end it worked out. 

It was a fun weekend, having one kid and sight seeing is actually really enjoyable 😂 and much less chaotic! But in spite of the chaos, I'm already trying to figure out when and how I can bring everyone back with us and show them these amazing historical places. 

After we ate dinner, I showered Jaylia with the special soap. She is nervous, as are Jon and I. She really doesn't want to wear a hospital gown. 😬 Hoping they give her the "giggle juice" before insisting she put on a gown! 

I'll be keeping things updated as I can throughout tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers and messages and love. It means so much to us to know we aren't alone.