Caedmon in Philly

Judy. About once a year we take one of our grandsons on a trip of some kind. It might be to a museum or movie or for a weekend away from home. As they get older, though, we like to travel to another city, and this year, it’s Caed’s turn. 

After the three of us talked it over, we decided on Philadelphia. He’s been to Washington, DC, but it seemed a good idea to also take him to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and other historic places, especially with America’s 250th birthday coming up. Then our friend Vishal, who lives just outside Philly and has two boys near Caed’s age, asked us to stay with him. This was quite a gift! 

Over the next several months, Vishal and Caed spoke several times, outlining what he might do while there—a combination of time with kids and time checking out history. 

It took three and a half days to drive to Philadelphia, with Caed taking pictures of every state’s “Welcome to...” and celebrating by taking a swim in each hotel. And then we arrived at Vishal’s. Eureka! 

Although Vishal’s boys, Devi and Avery, were going to their mom’s for the weekend, they were there to welcome us. Shortly after they left, Vishal’s girlfriend Lauren and two of her kids, Simon and Colette, came over to eat burgers. Immediately the three were on the trampoline, and Simon and Caed were discussing their best recipes for hamburger sauce. A three-way bond was established, with requests to spend more time the next day. 

Caed. Devi, and Avery hit the trampoline

Ticking the boxes

In the next few days, we visited Valley Forge, Caed and Vishal cooked Indian food, we went with his folks and Lauren’s kids to Cirque de Soleil, ate Asian dumplings, swam, took in the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross’s house, and the overwhelming Reading Terminal Market. 

Sous chef for our Indian meal

The chefs browse Reading Market

Soup dumplings--a new treat

Simon, Colette, Caed, and more friends

Yes, he's a ham, like his grandmother

Then we topped it off with ice cream with the whole gang of kids. Friendships were sealed and video games linked. Leaving on Monday was tough. 

Ice cream for everyone

But wait, there’s more! We drove with Caedmon to Cape May, New Jersey. It might have been a cool and windy 66 degrees, but Caed was in the pool and in the ocean. We ate lobster rolls and pizza, and we slept hard. 

Pretty darned delicious--watch out for seagulls!

Pure joy!

ahhhhh

Back in Philadelphia, we put our 13-year-old on his first solo plane ride home. It was a grand week. Thanks to Vishal, Avery, Devi, Lauren, Simon, Colette, and Wes.

I only shed a few tears...