Vintage Elliott: A year ago...

...Elliott loved this swing with river view at the park on Napoleon St. Battery Point, we miss you!

Early

What to do with a small boy who wakes at 5.30am with a disproportionately large amount of energy? H's options being limited by a broken toe, we hobbled down to our trusty local for some evil bean and then free-ranged on this quintessentially Philadelphian side street.

Church

Elliott loves to play in the rambling grounds of Society Hill colonial churches St Peters and Old Pine, especially now that it is autumn and the leaves are beginning to drop. All the better for scooping up with his front-end loader -- forgotten on this outing to St Peters but much fun was had regardless. Sticks are endlessly fascinating when you're two.

Swing

He's usually more of a slide boy but, slave to the pretty ladies that he is, when his sweet and beautiful friend suggested that she push him on the swing, he was in and would have stayed there all afternoon.

Babycakes

Elliott refusing to part with the remains of the delicious chocolate cupcake on his face.

Royalty

I'll have what he's having! Princess Ally graces Elliott with her presence.

Gene Kelly Jnr

H spends two minutes in the bathroom and returns to find Elliott paying homage to Gene Kelly. He's swiped the sunshade from his collapsible "umbrella" stroller and is spinning it around while doing his very best rendition of Singin' in the Rain.

Go Phillies!

Inspired by the Phillies' postseason success (they're now 2-1 in a five-game post-season series against the Colorado Rockies) Elliott feigns two strikes to build suspense, whacks the ball and runs a lap of the room shouting "Home run! Home run! Home run!"

Baguette

He used to be only marginally taller than one standing on its end (top) and carry a chunk all day for company (second and third from top) and occasional sustenance. Ten months on (bottom) the consumption of baguette is a rather more civilised business. But some things never change -- woe betide anyone who so much as suggests adulterating it with butter or preserves.

Accomplice

In the mould of Bonnie and Clyde, of Thelma and Louise, of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, we present another brazenly felonious duo: Domo and Crazy E.

Carousel

Elliott helps his friend V celebrate her first birthday at Franklin Square.

Where's Elliott?

Elliott shares some love with public art on his way to the Sunday farmers' market at Headhouse.

Farmers' market

Society Hill shares some DNA with our favourite Australian neighbourhood. No hill, water or mesmerising vista but same quirkiness, historic charm and residents' group with a stranglehold on the planning process. It must be said, the local preservation alliance does rather a better job of maintaining heritage character than a particular (no) progress (unless you're one of our mates and then it can be as unsightly as you damn well please) association back home. The first photo shows architecture enthusiast Elliott awestruck by Society Hill's loveliness. Not really. He's looking for the medical emergency helicopter passing overhead. We were en route to the weekly farmers' market at the Headhouse (second from top) where he likes to visit "Farmer Tom" (bottom), grower of the finest vegetables in all Pennsylvania.

Bus stop

Public transportation as recreation: Elliott waits for the bus.

Ultimo Coffee

Elliott's current favourite treat: bus ride to an old Italian neighbourhood in South Philadelphia, babycino and books at Ultimo Coffee (new and decidedly un-American little slice of Melbourne serving unbelievable espresso), subway ride home. Usual comment from people who see E in his babycino-induced frenzy: "Someone's had their coffee!" And, Americans not being inclined to use irony, they truly believe he has.

One time only special

Behold the moment two-and-a-third years in the making. Elliott (accidentally) takes a nap on the bed. The bed!