Another year, another Army-Navy.

Three years ago, Seth was confined to a hospital bed with one leg in traction and a wound vac on the other, but determined to make it to Army-Navy. He was maybe more angry than I've ever seen him when they had to call in the Chief of Ortho to tell him that the trip was not going to happen (presumably because everyone else was afraid to break the news.) Two years ago, we sat through the last quarter wearing garbage bags after a miserable few hours that had included rain, sleet, hail, AND snow (and the tradition of club seats with indoor access was born.) Last year we left Finley overnight for the first time for a night "off" in Baltimore, and I got up at 4am to race back to make sure she was OK. (She had been on her worst behavior, and Mom and Dad were thrilled to give her back.)

This year, we packed up the whole clan for an unseasonably warm weekend of family fun in Philadelphia. We rented a beautiful old Trinity house in South Philly, and were reminded again that this is the only way to vacation with kids. Seth and Finley danced to actual records with the windows open,

and I tried (somewhat successfully) to keep Finley from eating the leaves that made it still look like fall in the courtyard.

We ate delicious German food in embarrassing quantities

and Finley and I had an outdoor brunch date and explored the Italian Market, where she was a big hit, stuffing mozzarella samples in her mouth and trying to pet all the alley cats.

She even got to see the Liberty Bell, and crawled through an actual protest in Independence Square.

All in all, a pretty successful Philly weekend for Finley, who spent a sunny Saturday afternoon with a nanny, exploring the city on foot and visiting every park and playground in reasonable walking distance before dinner at Whole Foods and a bath in a claw-footed tub.

Not as much so for the Army team, which lost its 14th straight game to the hated squids, or for Seth, who is deeply emotionally invested (and unflappably optimistic) every year. Still, we were the 22-point underdog Saturday and played an incredibly close game that had all of us on the edge of our seats in the final moments. I call that a win, and a good sign for next year.

It was also nice to get a parents'-afternoon-off,

and to catch up with friends in town for the game. Even if my tailgating calories had to be alcohol-free this year. (I feel like I still got my share of indulgence in!)

Here's hoping next year is a win (but the insanely beautiful weather holds).

Unfortunately, Finley- who cannot catch a break these days- picked up bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) and was home sick yesterday. She had been miserable the night before, waking up crying with her eyes practically glued shut, but perked up after Seth took her to the doctor for steroid drops and had a lovely afternoon playing hooky from daycare with me. She inexplicably loves shopping (can she possibly be our kid?)

and scored a dinner date across the street from the library on one of Dad's study breaks. (During which she climbed on the table and generally acted like a terrorist.) 

I also finally had time to pick up a chocolate advent calendar for her, and the photo of the week is her studying it intently, seconds before she discovered that she only got one piece of chocolate a day. Not a popular discovery.