Given the chance, I like to try new things. Take on a challenge. Like, say, rock wall climbing. It caught my eye in the spa brochure and I thought, sure, that sounds like fun! Concierge kind of poo-pooed surfing lessons, so climbing it was!
Then. My sprain. Curses! I was the only Ramsey Girl not to touch the top of the wall. Even the old lady made it to the top :) {hi mom!}. It stung a bit, my absence, but I happily took the role of photographer.
Next time Canyon Ranch. Next time.
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This would be our sixth annual Ramsey Girl Getaway {first in a suite!} and Canyon Ranchwas quite the hostess. ...with her luxurious accommodations and healthful fare and Aquavana thermal suites {amazing!}. If ever the chance, get there.
If you're after a world class spa experience with a thousand things to do ~ or not do ~ Canyon Ranch is for you. And, while my puffed up foot nixed my plan for "sun up/sun down" exercise, it in no way dampened my experience. It left me with a bit more beach time, an eye on upper body work and a few extra treatments {hellooo, Oxygen facial}. Really there's no better spot to suffer an injury!
thanks Mom!
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Any zoo with their own tram car is a clue that it's big and, yep, the Maryland Zoo gives their animals room to roam. Though, roaming my Max was not. Baby Bear refused to get out of his stroller all morning {tired legs!} until the moment we met his beloved elephants. From that point on he blazed through the woods and walking trails with a spring in his step. But little boy wasn't the only one enjoying the woolly mammoths. One of my favorite moments that day came from little girl as we walked away from a boy elephant separated from the others.
Pip: "I hope they get another boy elephant and put them together. It's no fun to be by yourself. He has no one to play tag with."
^^^ ok, yes I don't like birds, but look at his purple feathers!! ^^^
And we finished off the day with a stop at the Zoo's brand new {yellow} playground where the kiddies ran circles around Daddy and my tired legs!
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Just like last year, our trip was a blast! A perfect spring weekend for dragon boats, street performers, Federal Hill playgrounds and elephants!
Speaking of blasts, Emerson blasted her ribs on a fall {bed jumping} and Max blasted his head {bed jumping} and I wondered if we'd be visiting Baltimore Hospital. You know those moments when you say, "pretend Mommy isn't here for 10 mins. I'm sitting down to relax" and then ten seconds later, screaming and tears. That happened both times!
Well, relax I did last night when I konked out on the sofa after putting Baby Bear to bed. I. was. exhausted! This forty-year-old body is feeling every inch of two days of nonstop chatter and sightseeing and fun and play.
Parenting is the hardest workout I know!
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We were graced with warm air and sunny skies over the weekend {heaven!}, and as promised the little ones and I went metro. What. a. day! As luck would have it, the annual St. Patty's day parade was rockin' the streets and strolled right by the Museum and our favorite fountain. I'm not much of a parade fan, but the drum majors and party goers and green festivities offered a great time. Our only setback of the day was Emerson's new found fear of Dinosaurs. Neither she nor Max wanted any part of the TRex so we sprinted past. It surprised me because we've been many times and she's always loved the giant skeletors.
After running from dinosaurs, we were back outside to climb on o'statues, roll down o'hills and eat o'snacks. Thank you Philly for another great day! :)
Missing person alert: our outing gave Daddy an uninterrupted day at home to tackle more of our bathroom redo {I'll post an update next week}. He spent the day knee-deep in electrical, rewiring the room. Goodbye knob and tube, hello modern day! It was nice to have one-on-one Mommy time with the monkeys, but as we sat on the grassy knoll eating our snack, I missed him!
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{Max and Teddy enjoy city life}
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Is there a better spot in the whole wide world than New York to spend the Holidays? Ok... Paris, Cabo... c'mon people, stay focused. New York is where it's at and where we were. I love this city. Love it. And, it would seem, my munchkins love it, too. It all began on the Friday before Christmas with the announcement, "no school today, we're going to New York!!". Having been there before, Miss Pippy was pumped. Baby Bear had no idea where we were going but offered his much loved response, "I go too?!?". And from there, we were off.
It would be a quick overnight trip to see the most festive holiday show around and to tromp around town. Neither the crush of holiday travelers nor my lingering nasty cold could dampen my mood. The Webb's were out of town!! And with details like light flurries in Central Park, giant swings at the Armory and lunching at the best named diner ever {Eat Here Now}, it would be a trip to remember.
Check it out.
{artist Ann Hamilton's the event of a thread}
Good night, New York.
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Anyone else ransack the web today?
Gap online sale shopping ~ done.
JCrew online sale shopping ~ done.
goodbye soccer mom, helloooo style kitten. meow.
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Man, oh man am I glad we were out and about on Saturday. A gorgeous day with fresh air is just the thing you need when nasty weather lurks.
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Little Emerson Webb and Mimi share this month for birthdays and as is tradition, we spent the day shopping, lunching and strolling in Lambertville, NJ. I love this town. It's got the best antiquing and window shopping and knick-knack browsing a girl could want. What'd we find ~ books, chocolate, jewelry, globes and a giant wish list of about 500 other things, starting with one ubertastic bar cart. sigh.
Part of the charm of idyllic Lambertville is the scenery ~ the banks of the Delaware Canal. I'm sending good thoughts to all the residents and merchants who call the town home as they ride out the nasty winds and rains of Sandy. Serious flooding is a real threat. I hope their damage is minimal.
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Emerson at the Barnes Foundation
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Here it is. My new favorite photo of little Emerson Webb. Isn't it a beauty? Sure, it's not totally in focus, but that's part of the charm.
As we strolled through this gallery, I happened to turn around and find Emerson alone and engaged in this painting. Now, we all know photographs are tsk, tsk in museums but I couldn't help myself. My camera was innocently dangling at my neck so I quickly turned it on and moved to a spot that I hoped would be perfect. Then without lifting my camera from where it hung, I hurriedly snapped a shot ~ no look through the view finder or use of auto-focus {what if security sweeps in!}. But dare I say, it's a masterpiece. It perfectly captures this wonderful day and experience we had at the Barnes.
Not only did Emerson tolerate the museum, but she seemed to really enjoy it. A few times I tried to move us to the next room only to be met with a perturbed response, "I'm not done listening to this painting, Mommy". :) Of course, I'm delighted by her interest in art and can only hope she spoils me at many more galleries to come.
{thank you to the nice man who offered this shot. note emerson's stone face, stranger danger. :) }
The Barnes Foundation has a fascinating history, full of unfulfilled estate requests, bankruptcy, legal battles and amazing art collection that is revered worldwide. That one man acquired so much art is unbelievable. Check out more about Dr. Barnes and the Philly battle here.
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