Rule #6: Bells don't stand. They ring.

"What are you going to do in Philadelphia?" the man sitting next to us on the plane asked Dante.

"I don't know," Dante responded.

"You must see the Liberty Bell."

"What's that?"

"Oh you must see the Liberty Bell. It's the most important thing to see in Philadelphia..."

So of course, Dante became fixated on the Liberty Bell. When we woke up on Friday morning in Philadelphia all Dante could say was, "Liberty Bell! Liberty Bell! Liberty Bell!"



After breakfast, we walked right into Liberty Bell Center, where we shared the bell with another small tour group.

"Is that it, Mommy?" asked Dante, who was clearly disappointed by the 2,000 pounds of copper.

"Yes, that's it."

"What does it do?"

"Well, it stands for freedom."

"Mommy, bells don't stand. They ring."

"Uh...this one doesn't ring."

"Mommy, this is boring."

As we left the center, I realized we made a wise decision to visit the bell first. There was a huge line out the door and we had beat the crowds--but more importantly my son's expectation were now lowered. Everything in Philadelphia would seem extraordinary when compared to the boring bell that doesn't stand—or ring.