Archive for October 2007
I justed wanted to tell my friend, Ellie, that I hope she feels better soon! Sorry you aren’t feeling well! Love ya’!
Our day started of just a weeee bit earlier than normal this morning. At about 5:15, boy decided that he was ready to boogie and get back out on the St. Louis streets. So, after he and Mommy wrestled and giggled for a little while, we all were up and started getting ready. We headed downstairs for another round of breakfast goodies and chatting with the friendly server ladies, then packed up and said goodbye to our nice hotel. As soon as we started rolling, Parker’s early morning caught up with him and he crashed while we had our 20 minute ride to Grant’s Farm. Even after missing the exit and back-tracking through town for a few extra miles, we were still there about 45 minutes before they opened. So, we tootled a little and let Parker catch his Z’s and headed back when we were ready to take on the farm.
Our experience started by visiting the Budweiser Clydesdale Stables but the horses weren’t out yet, so we caught the tram to the farm. On the trip, we circled around the property and learned lots of cool facts…stuff about Grant’s cabin on the property, the history of the front gates, the 2000+ Civil War rifle barrels that make up the fence along the road, and interesting info about all of the exotic animals on the grounds.
From the tram, we headed straight to the goats and fed them little bottles of milk! Parker loved it and kept jumping, pointing, and grunting at all of his furry horned friends. So, Daddy took Little Buddy in to the petting area where Parks walked around and tried to pet each and every goat in the place! Next, we saw an animal show and fed a few other animals before making our way back to the big camels and elephants. Finally, we hit The Bauernhauf for a snack and a show before heading back to the tram. The last stop was another tromp through the stables to see the huuuuuggggeee Clydesdale horses. Again, Parker went nuts pointing and grunting while I quietly watched these big gentle horses walk around the farm.
After that, it was time to say goodbye to St. Louis. I was sort of sad to go and told Mommy and Daddy that I really liked our trip. But, we got some great pictures, great stories, and great memories of this super family vacation!
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After 3 1/2 hours of driving, 1 pit stop at Jack-in-the-Box for lunch, and a shirt and diaper change for Parker-Parks, we were face to face with The Arch! We wasted no time at all. We headed straight for the City Museum. It may sound not-so-cool, but words cannot describe this place! Not even the pictures we took can begin to do the place justice! It was nothing like we’d ever seen before. There were slides, stairs, caves, nooks, and crannies everywhere! It’s most definitely a place you really have to see to believe!
Here’s how the adventure unfolded. First, we climbed through a whale and slid down the inside of a tree trunk. We sat on a mosaic turtle, and then slid down a slide made of assembly line rollers (these things were everywhere). We hit the toddler/preschooler art room for some fun with blocks, jumping in a ball pit and more sliding down rollers…forward…on my belly…and backwards!
Then, Mommy and I found a lady that showed us how to make crazy snowflakes…the best part was that she said to put all the scraps on the floor. That’s where she liked them! We hit a very strange area with the largest pair of underwear and a petrified corn dog on a stick. Afterwards, we visited the aquarium where, among other adventures, I pet a turtle and a bird pooped on Momma’s shoulder. We saw stingrays, sharks, snakes, and guinea pigs (don’t ask why the pigs were in the aquarium…crazy!!).
The next area was almost indescribable. It was like 15 stories straight up…but with spiral looking slides….then another 3 stories down into the enchanted caverns. It wasn’t my favorite part (not enough lighting for my taste), but Mommy and Daddy were mesmerized.
After a few trips down the 3 story slide surrounded by rollers, it was time to hit the outside with Daddy. Again…CRAZINESS!! The first few pictures in the album after the arch are of the outside playland…panoramic style from right to left. Then, later in the show, there are pics of Daddy and I hitting all of the parts! The planes, the HUGE ball pit, the firetruck, etc.! For the most part, Momma and Parker watched because strollers are not an appropriate means of transportation in this area. After wearing Daddy out, it was time to get some drinks, squash 2 pennies in to souvenirs, and hit the gift shop to find the snowflake pattern book for the Momma.
We left after about 4 hours, toured through the rest of downtown, and headed to the hotel. It’s really nice! After milling around in the lobby eating the free popcorn and exploring the rest of the hotel, Mommy took me swimming while Daddy caught up on some emails and Parker hit the hay. When deciding who I was going to sleep with, I asked one simple question, “Ummm, who snores…the most?” So on that note, AWESOME trip so far! Can’t wait to tell you all about the zoo tomorrow! Love to all!
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Mommy Note: The kiddos were AWESOME, and I must admit, for something that’s geared toward kids, I can say that this was the most interesting place I’d ever visited! I can’t wait to bring them back in a few years to explore every nook and cranny! The two best things about my day were:
#1 “Oh my gosh! The place is the coolest!” -MLee
#2 FINALLY getting a snapshot of Parks smiling (he is getting some new chompers and is a bit fussy, but was a great trooper today)!
Parks pretty much updated what’s been goin’ down with the fam on his website. However, I did want to fill you in on what I did at StonyCreek while the Parkman was taking a snooze on Mommy. I played with my NBF on the equipment, I made Daddy take me through the straw maze two times AND I got Uncle TC and Aunt Renee to go with me, too! After that, I rode the Pumpkin Express (several “tin cans” hooked together and pulled by a strange man dressed up as a scarecrow driving a tractor), and then I got to ride on a pony named Diablo! That was supercool! Afterwards, it was two more quick trips through the inflatable caterpillar and then off to eat dinner! It was really fun having so much of my family there to spend the day with me! Same time same place next year?!?
Also, I wanted everyone to know that tomorrow is the day that the Mayor or Lebanon is coming to talk to our preschool class. The Lebanon Reporter will also be there to take pictures for the paper! I can’t even tell you how excited I am! I mean, we’ve had lots of visitors this month at our school (a vet, firemen, post office worker, factory worker, and a banker) but this is the MAYOR!!! Ummm….I wonder what a mayor does?? I’ll check it out and give a full report ASAP!