Thank God It's Friday, Again!

Friday, August 17th

Here are some pics that my Godmomie Latoya just
sent me of another TGIF that we spent together.
Niles, Elyce, and Nyobi were there too!

We had a great time...thanks Godmomie Latoya!

Life Was A Lark At Willow Grove Park!

Today, my Pop-Pop and Grammy went to a place called Willow Grove Park and took me along for the ride. It was a big shopping mall with lots of people, stores, and room to run. While we wandered through the mall, they told me a story about another Willow Grove Park that was there a long time ago before the mall was built. It was something called an "amusement park" and it was filled with all kinds of fun things for kids to do and ride on. Even though my Pop-Pop and Grammy didn't know each other back then, they both remembered going to the park many-a-summer with their church, family, or friends and having a good time.

After a couple of hours, I was beginning to get tired from all the walking and sight-seeing at the mall. I thought we had seen all there was to see anyway. Just when I was about ready to have one of my fits, we turned a corner, and there it was...a big merry-go-round...right there...in the mall! Of course, I just had to get on it so, me and Pop-Pop went for a ride. After we got off the merry-go-round, Grammy told me that it was built and put in the mall as something called a "symbol" so people would never forget the old Willow Grove amusement park.

I had a nice time at the mall and would like to go back there one day. Here are some pics that we took and a little something extra from Grammy for those of you who still remember that, "Life was a lark at Willow Grove Park!" Grammy, what's a lark???

Willow Grove Park now...

Carousel Entrance

Willow Grove Park then...

'

Photos: (1) Entrance sign, (2) Sky view of the park, (3) Alps Mountain roller coaster, (4) Thunderbolt rollercoaster, (5) Ground view of the park, (6) Willow Grove Park closing as Six Gun Territory.

Willow Grove Park (Willow Grove, PA): Willow Grove amusement park opened on Memorial Day 1896 and was perhaps the grandest, most elegant of all amusement parks in the United States. Throughout the years, Willow Grove continued to grow but in the late 1950s, urban amusement parks began to fade. The nation’s taste in recreation was changing too rapidly for parks like Willow Grove to survive. After a brief life as "Six Gun Territory" theme park from 1972-1975, it eventually ceased operations and officially closed on April 14, 1976. The park sat vacant for a few years until it was demolished to make way for an elaborate shopping mall. In August 1982, the mall opened bearing the same name as the historical amusement park. The renovation focal point is an exact replica of a carousel ride at the amusement park, which stands at the core of the mall's third level entrance. It has been a delight for thousands of riders who visit the mall.

Update 06-21-12: Check out this video of the amusement park I found on YouTube! :)

Great-Grandmothers are mothers who are great...

Over the river

and thru Route 42

to Great Nana's house we go!

Inner City Blues (Make Ya Wanna Holler?)

I'm b-a-c-k! I know I've been missing in action for a while but that's because Mommy said it was too hot to do anything except stay inside under something called an "air conditioner". I don't really know what that is but I know it made us feel nice and cool. It was so hot that I even learned how to say the word "hot"! Anyhoo, I'll try to bring you up to speed on some of the goings on since my last post.

I saw the doc for my 18 month check-up a while ago. He said that I weighed 25 lbs + 6 ozs and I'm 31 inches tall (it's a been a while since I've reported my stats). He asked my Mommy if I was doing things like talking, feeding myself, and climbing stairs. I've been talking for a while now but no one seems to know what I'm saying. People want me to repeat what they call "real" words but I'm a leader, not a follower...they should repeat after me! I can feed myself too but I have to work on the mess that I make when I do it. I really like climbing the stairs but I'm only allowed to do it when someone is behind me, which doesn't do much for my sense of accomplishment!

I had another play date with Cousin Miles. We had a great time splashing around in his pool and he has a really neat water table that was a lot of fun too. I got a chance to see Cousin Ryan for a little while before he went to work (he's something called a "fireman", you know). Cousin Melanie and my Mommy had a chance to do whatever it is mommies do when their boys are busy playing. Cousin Arlene stopped by and that was a nice surprise...she gave me a really cool t-shirt that came all the way from a place called "Texas" (Thank You)!

On the day care front, Ms. Bea and Nyeisha had something called a "graduation" for the kids who will be leaving and starting school in September. Day care was closed that day to all the rest of us so, I didn't get a chance to see it or say goodbye to anyone. So, I wanna give something called a "shout out" to Deante and William who have been my friends since I started day care at 2 months old...you always looked out for me and I'm going to miss you. I hope you will come back and visit sometime. I also skipped day care again and had another "Thank God It's Friday!" with Godmomie Latoya.

We all went to visit my Great Grandmother Pumpkin Pie yesterday. It's been a little while since I've been to her house and there was a lot to see and explore. Of course, I was messing with everything in sight and heard the words "NO!" and "STOP!" more times than I can count. (What's the deal with numbers anyway?) We had a hoagiefest and Pumpkin Pie put on some music so we all could dance. I had a really good time but, the best was yet to come.

After everyone over 18 months was too tired to dance anymore, my Pop-Pop took me for a walk. At the end of the block, there was a house on the corner that just looked different on the outside from all the others. It was like we had stepped into another world...the house was surrounded by trees, big plants, rocks, running water, and a fish pond! It was fun watching the fish and I didn't want to leave. When we got back to Pumpkin Pie's house, we told Grammy about it and went back with the camera to take some pics.

Well, that's all for now...it's time for me to get back under that thing called an "air conditioner". Stay cool and I'll talk to you soon!

Inner City Peace

(U Just Need 2 Know Where 2 Look!)

Male Bonding 2

chillin@theplayground

Link to previous Male Bonding post...

Monday, June 4, 2007