Up late

Up late in Philly wanting to catch up before we move on to London tomorrow. I can't believe that we aren't overseas yet! The suspense is getting to be to much.

We are staying with my step sister in law. I haven't ever spent much time in Philly and I am pleasantly surprised. Great old architecture, tree lined streets, east coast summer time. The first night we arrived the kids went out on the porch and caught fireflies, played in the downstairs rec room and experienced a real and new slice of americana. This sure is one great big different country. I feel like we just keep getting more Norman Rockwell the further we get. It's not just the fireflies, day before yester we actually found ourselves at the liberty bell. I know some of you have raised eyebrows since we didn't send Angelo to a good hippy school but that kid gave me a whole rundown on the liberty bell and it was pretty cool to have my 7 year old teach me about US history.

Yesterday we went to cousin Adams championship baseball game and I think I saw Norman painting at the edge of the field. I started feeling my east coast roots and we cruised home listening to Frank Sinatra on sirus.

You may start to notice a pattern of discontent a few days into a place and today must have been that day for me. I started seeing all the things that hold this city back from becoming a real world class destination. Love it but I have to say to live here I would need a little Marin in my Philly. We went to the children's Touch Museum today where there was an exhibit called something like mini Mc Donald's. Kids could actually play make your own burger and fries. I couldn't believe I payed money to have my children advertised to. Where is the bay area discovery museum when you need it? Oh yeah... Marin. Needless to say I will have another night sleep dreaming of a hilly city where the people are self righteous, colorfully dressed and seem to be having a whole lot of fun.

Tomorrow evening we fly to London. Let's see how England is. Apollonia and I were chatting at the cafe today and I was explaining how this may be her last Izzie soda for a while. She looked at my pensive face and said, "that's ok since everything will be fancier over there". "What makes you think that things are fancier in England Babe?" She rolled her eyes at me and waived an exacerbated hand in my direction, "you know." "no I don't", I explained. "ugh" she said,

"the queen! Everything is supper fancy for the queen". Sometimes I wish I were five.