Troy and His Trains

I just wanted to add a few pictures of Troy playing with his latest obsession.

His choo choos have to be taken everywhere. He tries so hard to take them in the tub with him, and fights us when we do not allow them in. He takes one to bed with him, most of the time it is Percy. He can play with them for hours just lining them up and pushing them around on different surfaces in the house.

We are up to 5 trains now and one DVD. He loves the shows, and I love that they are only 10 minutes long.

The one thing I do like about the trains, though, is that they are helping him learn his numbers. He knows all of their names as well. In the picture on the right, Troy is trying to show you James.

The Merry Mehlbrechs Go to the Zoo

We had an open house the weekend of May 20th, so we decided to take Troy to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and see it for one last time. Troy is at the perfect age where he now knows a lot of the animals and can make their sounds. He also reminded us of the Choo Choo every time we heard it go around.

The rain stayed away long enough for us to see a lot of the animals out in their surroundings. The Zoo had just opened up a new Polar Bear enclosure where you can see them through the water underneath. The sea lions also had a new enclosure.

As you can see by the pictures below, I was able to get some decent shots of the animals. I did not want to put them all in, but here are some of the highlights.

And yes, for all of you Pittsburghers, Troy is wearing a Pirates hat. I know it just bugs Matt that it is not a Twins hat. All in due time, I am sure.

[http://www.pittsburghzoo.com/index.asp]

Happy Birthday to me!!

Thank you to everyone who sent cards, gifts and well wishes for my birthday. I was treated to a birthday party, not mine, but for the child of some friends of ours. Jack was turning 3, and I am happy to say that I at least had some one's birthday cake. [Nudge, Nudge to my husband here]. As you can see, Troy enjoyed the cake as well.

The party was out at Soergel's Orchard in Wexford, Pennsylvania. They had a great set up for birthday parties and pony rides! Troy was not scared at all! Good idea Heather!

With Mother's Day landing on the day after my birthday, my boy's treated me to brunch at "The Grand Concourse" at Station Square. They have the best Sunday brunch! Troy was occupied with his choo choo's and the great pancakes! I was just occupied with the food.

Thank you to my boys!

Welcome to Miami!!

When: May 4th - 6th, 2007

Where: Miami, Florida

Why: Rest and Relaxation

How: By sheer luck

Who: The three amigos - Catherine, Matthew and Me!

Miami welcomed me for a nice three-day getaway the first weekend in May. My boys sent me away for a relaxing trip to see our friends, Catherine and Matthew. I was looking for some fun, some sun and some beach time on the Atlantic Ocean. I got all of that and then some...

After partying it up at my most recent house purchase, oh wait, that's not my house...we ventured for some food on the water with everyone's favorite Eastern European waiter, Norbert. Matthew tried to see if Norbert could pass the litmus test of funny. He did not pass.

The next day, we ventured to South Beach and partied it up at my most recent house purchase, oh wait, that is the Versace mansion. We had another great lunch outside and ventured around to some stalls at the outside antique market that was going on. I found some beautiful artwork for the future-baby-to-be's room and some wild and wacky purses. I can not go anywhere it seems without buying a purse.

After some much deserved gelato [YUM!], we hit South Beach, where clothing was optional it seemed....for all ages.

We ended up eating on the main street and were not disappointed by the scenery. I am proud to also say that Florida had been going through a drought until I came down there. There was a huge thunder and lightning storm that evening, and everyone took that as their cue to go home. We followed suit, but the storm did not stop us from getting some Ben & Jerry's.

Thank you, Catherine and Matthew for such a relaxing and fun time. I loved spending time with you guys.