Postcard from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh wall art.

Alfie's latest 'smile for the camera' pose!

Another little friend on the other side of our booth!

Wow!  We couldn't believe how much we loved Pittsburgh - especially as we didn't know anything about it until we arrived.  We were very excited to find a Cheesecake Factory AND of course, a Hard Rock Cafe.  We ate in both!

There were places everywhere to stop and admire the skyline - which we did plenty of times.  Alfie LOVED the children's water fountain that you could run through..... or in Alfie's case, just skim the outskirts of it, without actually getting wet at all!  He played and played there whilst we sat watching him, eating through a delicious oreo cheesecake.

Thank you Pittsburgh!

We loved you - lots!

We'd like to come back again someday if that's okay with you!

xxx

Postcard from Niagara - Part 2

   

Deborah's Mum and Dad suggested that we take Alfie to an animal sanctuary close to their home before we continued our trip into Pennsylvania.  We thought this would be great as it would give him a chance to run free - something he loves to do these days - and look at some animals!  He did both very well!  Those little legs of his ran all over the place and then suddenly he would spot something that would stop him in his tracks.  It made us all smile!! It still amazes us how satisfying it is to share these experiences with a toddler.  Moments like these are priceless.  Charles, Deborah's Dad was the only one Alfie wanted to go to, so at every opportunity there was to get a better view over the fence, Alfie's hands would reach up to this lovely man, and together they would look at whatever it was that caught his eye.  I couldn't help but think that this is what it must be like for Alfie when he has his adventures with his Grampy on a Friday back at home.  He is so fortunate to have people that are willing to take the time to be with him.

Perhaps the best expression of the day came when Alfie spotted a John Deere tractor that he was desperate to sit on.  I wasn't sure if this was allowed or not but we sat him on it until someone told us otherwise and Alfie was able to spend five glorious minutes, moving the wheel, touching the buttons and generally squealing with delight.

Today was a good day.........
I think Alfie agreed.

x

#PhotoOfTheWeek

Two extra special things happened this week on top of everything else!

Firstly, we met back up again with Deborah, our friend from Capernwray.  She lives close to Niagara Falls so she was able to show us around some of the other places not as well known. It was so lovely to see her again...... Alfie adored her!

The second highlight was Alfie's scribbling, doodling, very special drawing he did for us while we waited for our dinner in a restaurant.  There is one very proud Mama writing this!!

 I think it shows great promise.......

;) x

Postcard from Niagara - Part 1

Alfie must have been excited about the things we were going to see today because we could not get him to sit down to eat some breakfast before heading out.  He can't quite believe what a lucky boy he is having these American breakfasts which often consist of a waffle or a muffin.  Today though, he just wanted to head on out!

We were surprised when we arrived at Niagara.  For a couple of hours we seemed to be the only people around.  The typical tourist streets of the area were practically empty.  We decided to make the most of it and skip the queues!  I really wanted to see the falls for the first time from either the Maid of the Mist boat ride or the Skylon (sky tower) as we would get the full impact on first sight!  It was really exciting!!  Alfie wasn't as fussed for a little while and decided on a much needed nap in his stroller.

Heading to the Skylon first was the right thing to do.  Our first sighting of the falls was this.........

...and this...

It was spectacular!

By the time we'd headed down to Maid of the Mist, the crowds had picked up a little and Alfie had woken up, just in time to be dressed in his little blue poncho in readiness for his wettest boat ride to date!

Just as well - he got WET!!!

   

It was absolutely crazy and we had to hold onto each other tightly!

There were times when Alfie really didn't look impressed.

~~~~~

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After we quickly picked up some lunch we decided to have a quick go on the big wheel which meant walking up a long 'touristy' street called Clifton Hill.  We weren't sure what to expect here because we had heard a lot of negative things.  I have to admit though....... I really liked it!  It was bright, colourful, clean and tidy and although we didn't venture inside any of the entertainment stores, I would have loved to have visited here as a child.

Alfie's face was a picture on the big wheel.  As best as we tried to show him the scene below us, he decided it was far more interesting doing this to Daddy's face.....

....and this.....

.....and even this.......

Who needs Wonders of the World when you've got a Daddy who plays these kind of games for hours and hours.....

x

Postcard from Room 130

We're sharing the love over at Room 130 today!!!!!

Alfie's new face when we ask him to smile for the camera!