Run for the Border

The first couple of weeks of school are really slow for supply teaching, so we thought we’d take advantage of Kieran being home and took off on a little last-minute getaway to the US.  We went to our usual hangout, Erie Pennsylvania.  This was our fifth time going as a family (my 6th time), and Maelle’s first international experience!  We love the shopping, the cheap affordable hotels and food, the no-tax on clothes, the attractions nearby, and just getting away from home for a few days. 

We got there around dinner time on Wednesday night, and hung out in the hotel’s pool and hot tub.  Brandon loved the “hot water”, mostly because he could stand on the bench and walk around it, playing with all the jets.  Maelle just lounged poolside, because the water was a bit too chilly for her. 

 

 

The next day we went shopping to the Grove City outlet mall (an hour South of Erie).  Kieran and Maelle both did well there, but we didn’t find much for Brandon or myself.  Something about the fall selection just wasn’t too exciting.  However, we got some good deals at Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Osh Kosh, and Carter’s, and we picked up a Hallowe’en costume for Brandon.  I dragged the whole family around Coach for a while too but managed to restrain myself this time….

The next day we did more shopping at the Millcreek Mall in Erie, and went to lunch at the Olive Garden.  It was yummy, as usual.  We also took a trip to the Erie Zoo, which Brandon really enjoyed.  We went to the Toronto Zoo earlier this summer, so Brandon remembered all of the animals and got much more out of it the second time around, I think. 

 

This orangutan kept regurgitating her food and then eating it.  It was gross.  Just thought I’d share that. 

And my little petunia felt very at home in the petunia patch!  

Brandon spent a looong time watching this cool train display.  Out of everything at the zoo, this was his absolute favourite and he has talked about it every day since.  We also visited the state park in Erie, Presqu’ Isle State Park.  We drove through and walked along the pier for a bit and watched people fish.  Brandon and Kieran also hung out on the beach a bit and threw stones into the water while Maelle had some lunch. 

 

Brandon was pretty good in the car the entire trip.  He was easily entertained by his Bob the Builder DVD, and we finally got headphones for the DVD player so he loved that he now had sound.  We stopped in Buffalo on the way home to break up the drive a bit and stop at a couple more stores.  And of course, a trip to the USA would not be complete without a trip to the Cheesecake Factory!  And what would a trip to the Cheesecake Factory be without cheesecake? 

We couldn’t agree on one to share, so we each got our own.  Kieran and Brandon got a banana cheesecake, and lucky me got to share with Maelle :)  We got the Brownie Sundae cheesecake.  It was to die for!