Lessons learned and memories made…

• I have NO IDEA how people traveled with young children prior to the invention of the DVD player. I can now sing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song in my sleep. Also, did you know that Aaron Neville sings the theme song for Little People movies? Well, he does. And, it’s both mind-numbing and catchy.
• The maximum number of hours we can drive in the car with the girls at their current ages without stopping is 3. Things start getting ugly at about 2.5 hours in, but 3 is possible if the rotation of movies is skillfully planned on the above-mentioned DVD player.  If we go over the 3 hour limit in the car, all manner of chaos ensues. At this point, Toddler 2 can scream in such a way that she sounds exactly like a tetradactyl.
• For several months now Toddler 2 has been yelling nursery rhymes when she’s mad. It’s one of her only ways of coping. However, on this trip we realized she has narrowed her repertoire down to just one song: “Twinkle, twinkle, little STAR!!!” And, by the time she gets to “star” it’s full-blown noise pollution.
• The GPS knows best. If you try to outsmart the GPS and take the alternate route you can get on a toll road that runs through the state of Pennsylvania without ever offering an exit for the interstate. This can add minutes or hours to your trip depending on how far you drive before realizing you’re never going to get to I-81. (The name of our “navigator” will be withheld).
• Toddler 2 is what the Spouse has appropriately labeled a “bottom feeder.” No matter how dirty the city street or hotel floor might be, she is going to eat the dropped cracker or M&M. And, she’s lightning fast. She should have built up a good immunity to disease by now.
• Apparently all car seat and child restraint laws go out the door when riding in a taxi cab. You just hold on and pray… and hope that the honking you hear all around you is not directed at your driver.
• Ditto the above for the horse and buggy ride in Amish Country.
• The Philadelphia Zoo is huge and full of entertaining sights and creatures… including horses, which are a featured animal there.
• The Please Touch Museum for children in Philadelphia is incredible. Here are a few pics:
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• Upon leaving the museum… The Spouse can jump a flight of stairs and run a 100-yard dash in under 10 seconds if you tell him you think you see the (moving) trolley you need to catch up ahead.
• Revolving doors, escalators, and exhibit shows in downtown hotels are no match for us and our double-stroller. We don’t leave home without it.
• The Spouse thinks his iPhone is infallible and omnipotent. Do you think we need a camera? “No, we have the iPhone.” Do you think we should stop and ask for directions? “No, we have the iPhone.” Do you think I should ask the concierge for some restaurant suggestions? “No, we have the iPhone.” Who knew our phones wielded such power and intelligence? 🙂

All in all, we had a great time on our Pennsylvania adventure. The region is beautiful, the architecture is amazing, and the state has a ton of stuff to do if you have the time to take it all in. I’d love to go back when the girls are a little older and can see and do more.  Maybe in a few years we can even take the walking tour of the city sans stroller…