We had a huge trip planned to go to NYC and see the Empire state building with the kids this weekend that we decided was not a good time to go. After hearing all the devastation in NYC the choice was made to stay closer to home. We had promised my sister whimmy an her husband to ride along so they rode with us to Chinatown in Philadelphia instead.

A couple of dragons at the Parking lot.

Whimmy in front of the "gates" to Chinatown.

We had a lot of fun anyway even if it wasn't New York. We visited the Dim-sum restaurant for a celebration of my sister and my husbands birthdays. Her's was the 29th o October and his is on the 5th of November. Both Love Chinese food and especially Dimsum so it was a natural choice.

She was really stuffing her face in that last picture LOL

The Restaurant was named Joy Tsin Lau. They have these ladies in little carts full of steaming hot food you can buy by the small dish. They just punch your card of what dish you take from them.

  Big B her husband and my son Aaron were both sitting there with that "I just want go to McDonalds" look about them. HA-HA

Me I am such a nibbler it didn't bother me to eat dimsum since one was about the right size for a meal for me. Since surgery I still eat very small amounts. A very good thing since I am still dropping pounds every few weeks.

The decor was quite beautiful in the Restaurant. They had a lot of picture of famous people and presidents who ate there on the walls. It was packed full of people too.

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After dinner we did a lot of walking.

This man passed us with only flip flops on his feet and it was cold out. LOL

One place we stopped at, that is famous in Philadelphia, is Reading Terminal Market.

They have some of the best cheese, chocolate and honey stores. Yeah we got some of each.

 

Next we headed to Love park.

Passing Old City hall with Ben Franklin on top.

We saw a park with a lot of big game pieces all around. It was fun.

Here we are at love park with the big famous LOVE statue.

In the summer there is a water fountain behind it.

Next I draged the crew into the Old Wanamaker's store that is now a Macy's. They have a huge pipe organ that they play at Christmas time but we were not so fortunate to hear that day. I love the Architecture of old buildings and my kids were not so impressed. LOL

After that we went to the Mutter's Museum. Ok to me it is a really gross place to go but educational. Check this out to understand.

Mutter's Museum

Description: "America's finest museum of medical history, the Mütter displays its beautifully preserved collections of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments in a 19th century "cabinet museum" setting. The goal of the Museum is to help the public understand the mysteries and beauty of the human body while appreciating the history of diagnosis and treatment of disease."

EW! I was weak in the knees after going through there. It is a very small museum that makes you feel crowded and grossed out even walking in there. I couldn't stand it very long and had to go sit down out in the lobby. I am a wuss. But hubby and lil sister loved it, of course it was their choice to go. Two Peas in a pod those two, Whimmy is like the daughter he never had.

After all that we walked back to Chinatown to shop and pick up supper.

 

Aaron standing outside a meat shop with roasted ducks and other fowls hanging in the window. He had a small Quail earlier at the restaurant.

We stopped to get some supper at a Facebook friend's restaurant in Chinatown. I meet him and his family at one of those Korean drama club parties I go to in the spring. he catered our party and is a really great person.

Sammy Chon's Korean BBQ has the best Koagies which is a Hoagie roll with Korean BBQ beef and coleslaw. DELICIOUS!

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We had a very busy fun day and enjoyed the fact it was only a 45 minute drive home instead of two hours.

We even got to go to the movies after with the boys. We saw Wreak it Ralph.

A great weekend for pictures to share with you all.

How was yours?

 

I have been watching and listening to the our local news on the effects and recovery from the Super storm Sandy. It is so awful. Can you imagine the destruction? Here is a visual exercise; go look at the closest town you live by and imagine nothing is functional, no power, under water, sand everywhere and/or destroyed. It really puts it in perspective.  I have family and friends in The PA,NJ and NYC area with no power still and it's COLD!

Hearing about the stories of the victims is heart breaking.

I want to help out. Looking into places to donate to so it could help those people. I was thinking about Salvation army. I am kind of not so much Red Cross with all the bad publicity I have read about & how we are just paying for costs to run the organization.

What do you recommend?

Last night was fun for my youngest son Aaron.

He was in charge of pumpkin carving. I think he did a good job.

 

He went as a Spy from an online game called Team fortress 2.

We waited outside for his friends to come over and take pictures. While we waited a man drove up and started to harass his ex-wife with their child in her car. Yelling and screaming going on, I tried to get my own son to come in the house be he refused because he was sure he would miss his friends. Well 4 cop cars were called to the scene since the man had called in and said his wife hit him with the car. OH Boy what a liar. He had jumped behind her car when she was trying to back out so she couldn't leave. Get this she was trying to take her very sick son to the Emergency room and he didn't want her to take him. The Ex doesn't live there and came up to me asking me what street this was. The man's ex-wife and kids have lived there for 2 years now. I was mad at him and yelled"YOU DON"T EVEN KNOW WHAT STREET YOUR CHILD LIVES ON?" He walked away because I had my, "I am going to Kick your butt if you come any closer to my house" look. I can be really mean when it comes to someone frightening kids. I was glad the cops did come and they sent him away Thank God. WOW drama dram drama...

Here is Aaron and friends ready to go. I sent him off with his dad and the other kids parents.

 

Leif was waiting for his friend to come over to go out but his friend was no allowed to come. Leif was kind of bummed. Hench the Angry look on his face. He looked like a mean old goat too with his horns on. The story is I had argued with him earlier to get a costume way before this and he didn't. The horns were his last minute option. He was mad about that and the fact that I didn't buy him anything to wear. UM... I told them both a week ahead to come up with a costume plan so we could work on it together. Aaron did and we worked something out but Leif didn't until an hour before. He never wants to take initiative for himself. When his friend couldn't come out he just shut himself in the basement and played video games. I worry about his social life sometimes. I really do.

But all and all we had a good night. His little brother of course shared with him.

I had some Teen spit on my candle in our pumpkin last night and that made me so mad. I stopped opening the door for any teen after that and they came back for seconds! If they were dressed up I didn't mind but do not come round my house just asking if you don't even say please and thank you the first time. WOW I was in a bad mood last night. LOL

I told my oldest that I thought he was too old for Trick or treats anyway.  Aaron brought in enough candy for the whole family. I for one am not trying to eat any of it since I do not want to gain weight. I had a couple Hersey bars and tootsie rolls but that was it. Told Aaron to hide all the candy so I woudln't find it. LOL I know me all too well.

Leif did cheer up and seemed happy. Its hard to grow up I think sometimes.