Occupy Pittsburgh: All You Need is Love

In February of last year, during the depressive depths of the most hellish Minnesota known to God and man, I threw a Bible at Mama and made her swear that we would get the h-e-double hockey sticks out of Minnesota dodge come February 2012. Naturally, my intent was to vacate to a more tropical locale. Arizona? Palm Springs? Southern Iowa, perhaps? Pittsburgh was not necessarily at the top of my destination list, but after being lured by an Amtrak route with minimal delays, free lodging with one rad aunt and uncle (on Mama's side), and the ability to DVR multiple episodes of Wonder Pets, we packed up the kid and Grandma Kool and headed east on the rails. And, as it turns out, encountered consecutive days of New England sun, thoroughly entertaining tourist traps, and far less Pittsburghian grit and grime than one (admittedly judgmental) Mommy would have expected. Just don't ask about the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Lili and (Lili) Cheetah, chillaxin' on the Empire Builder. 

Kickin' our tootsies up, vacay style. 

Encroaching on Mommy's seat during nap time. Next trip, we splurge for the sleeper car. 

Mama preparing her Amtrak breakfast of a gluten-free bagel with lox and cream cheese. Yes, that is fresh salmon. And yes, it did stink up the entire cabin. Fish *and* an energetic three-year old with no concept of the term "indoor voice"?! Our Amtrak neighbors really hit the travel jackpot.

Wine and cupcakes in the observation car.

Upon arriving, we learned that during our time in Pittsburgh, Uncle Steve and Aunt Linda had simultaneously agreed to chicken sit for a friend. After our first travel morning hangover subsided, we ventured across the street, where we met, fed, and chased (Lili) the neighbor chickens. Our afternoon continued with a walk through historic Pittsburgh, ending at Pittsburgh's National Aviary.

Chickens!

Surrounded by multiple pecking chickens, Lili opted to throw most of the food their way. Thankfully, no one lost an eye in the process. 

Settling in.

Moving out. 

The essence of Lili, PA style. 

Underwater penguin viewing. Tutu bonus points.

Looking for birds in all the wrong places. 

Mama had assured Lili there would be peacocks at the aviary. Sadly, however, there were not. The moms made due with these fellas..."relatives" of the peacock. Also known as "quails". Whatevs. 

One of the many toddler benefits of having tall relatives.

The next day, Mama, Lili and I took a solo family adventure to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, where Lili climbed through tubes, bumped down slides, and explored the inner workings of kiddy science. Mama was also able to realize her life long dream of posing with Mr. Rogers' shoes.

Waiting (im)patiently. 

Wheeee! 

"Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor?"

Black and white moms. Technicolor Lili. 

Making sand swirls with Mommy.

Mommy, striking her usual pose as indentured servant. 

Like most things in life, the Waterworks room both thrilled and maddened her. 

Out trip happened to coincide with Grandma Kool's birthday, which we celebrated in grand style while in Pittsburgh. Mama made a delicious salmon dinner, complete with cous cous and a Greek salad, and dinner was followed by a dessert buffet of macaroons, brownies, and fresh raspberries with homemade whipped cream. And wine. Always with the wine. 

That's, like, 371 in squirrel years. 

Kitchen prep. 

Birthday girl, squirrel jams.

Apropos of nothing, really, besides possibly being the cutest picture taken of the cutest child ever. IMHO. 

Party hats and group hugs. This was shortly after Lili stole the show for the evening by offering up a sippy cup toast in honor of Grandma Kool's birthday. Her toast? "I love you, Grandma". Followed by a hug and a kiss. She is one tough act to follow. 

Turns out it does, in fact, take a village to entertain a three-year-old. 

Post-dinner board games. Mommy, GK, and Aunt Linda putting our heads together to unscramble a series of words. 

Mama and Uncle Steve, plotting how best to skirt the rules of Cranium. 

We returned to Minneapolis relaxed (well, as relaxed as you can be after traveling by train with a small child), rejuvenated, and with a new found appreciation for Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh and, of course, the blue meanies. With much love and thanks to Stinda.