The Payoff

I know you all think I'm crazy for taking the kids to the zoo once a week. Nuts. Certifiable. Insane.

It's OK. I'm comfortable with it.

Because, look at what we get to see:

Mama swan in her nest with eggs incubating.

On another visit, baby swan, finally born and toddling around.

And, then on yet, another, visit.....taking a first swim.

Look at that punkin go!

Nature playing out right before our eyes. This is why I do it. To see the kids witness this is more rewarding than anything else. It makes my heart warm to know I provided this to them. Nothing fancy.....not a new toy.....but time. And, a walk through the zoo. I hope this is one of the things they remember from childhood. Mom always took us to the zoo.

Britney Visit Wrap Up, Part I

OK.

I'm going to share dozens of photos in two posts. Ready? Here we go.

First big day out.....Tuesday.....a trip to Crown Center. Kansas is the land of Hallmark, so there are symbols of it everywhere. Even in the fabulous Halls Department Store. Didn't know such existed until we moved here. Britney and I visited the children's section......spent about $3K each (in our heads, husbands) and left responsibly without purchasing a thing. Cute stuff.

The Crayola Cafe and Megastore. Tons to see.



My nerdy self was instantly drawn to the simulated crayon making machine. To see how it all works! Awesome.

Crayola trivia.....on each of these circles.

An example:

Trysten and Jack try out an exhibit.

Blake helps the boys experiment with the color wheel. Love when he gets in on the nerdy stuff that he knows I like to share with them!

Lainey and Maci. No idea what's going on here. Likely, bossy Laine is chanting, "No, baby!" at her.

Off to Kaleidoscope. This "kidscape" is fantastic. Another Kansas City area free destination, definitely worth visiting. Around since the 1960's......Hallmark has provided this ultra-creative space for children to play and color and paint.

It's definitely sensory overload inside. Kids running everywhere. Parents running behind them. Lots of chaos.

Baby girls stopped for a break. How cute is this bench for a photo op?

Lainey is enjoying one of the exhibits here built just for her size.....peaking in this wood wall....a series of mirrors.

Everything is drenched in funky design.....even the marker props.

"How much marker can I get on me before mama notices and pulls out the baby wipes?"

Painting!



Kid size chairs and art desks......everything at their level.

Blake was most excited about the old school sinks like we had in elementary school. Our kids were very confused.

Out in the mall.....silly boys.

Walked down to The Art Of The Brick Lego display. Not quite as exciting as I had hoped.

It was all very cool, but we had just left Kaleidoscope, so it was a tough follow.

An early dinner at Fritz's next. I'm sure you can imagine the excitement for Jack.

Trains to sit on. Trains to look at. Trains driving the perimeter of the restaurant to deliver your food. Only heaven could be this good.

Carter fawned all over Maci the entire trip. This kid LOVES babies. Stops people on the street to look at their babies. Constantly comments on how cute peoples' babies are. Part of his interest, I believe, is that he genuinely likes them. Another part is that he likes people and wants to make them feel good about their babies. Sweetness.

He's still talking about how cute Maci is. Look at those baby blues!

Outside The Crown Center.....looking across the street at the fountains. Looks like fun, huh? We went today. Total disaster.

Tired yet?

Union Station was next! Can't wait to finally buy our membership here. Not until August or September......waiting until after vacation. Saving every dime!

World War I Museum, across the street. A future visit is in store for us for sure.

Inside Union Station. Gorgeous architecture and design.



A Narnia exhibit is there now and we hope to make it before it moves on.

Love the room to run for kiddos.

Punkin Jack in his element.



Outside on the bridge to see the trains. Nothing thrills Jack more. Carter and Trysten were sweet and acted enthusiastic, too.





We ended the day with Maci in Blake's arms......Jack and Lainey in bed......Britney and me with the big boys at the movies to see Up. A very sweet movie.

OK. Get a good night's sleep. More tomorrow!

Look What I Can Do

Those cheerleading years are finally paying off.

Blog Stuff

A couple of things I've learned:

***I have my email address linked to my blog. Because of this, when I comment on a blog, the author can reply to that comment when she receives notification in her email account. I get these occasionally and it's fun to see a witty remark, arugment or answer to what I wrote. It's easy to do if you don't have it set already. Click on My Account next to your Dashboard option on your home page. Add or edit your email address there.

***I've always been kind of on the fence about the "following" thing. Feeling like I had been pushed back into middle school in the midst of a popularity contest, I avoided seeking followers or even posting the option on my blog.

Then, I started following people. Not knowing the exact benefits at the time, I signed on and started adding away. And, now I get it.

Following a blog is a fantastic tool. The Reading List on your Dashboard provides simple updates and by scrolling through them, you can decide what is worth reading and what you can live without. Brilliant! A time saver.....no more clicking on your favorites to see who posted. I've found that it works with blogger.com, typepad.com and wordpress.com. Probably more!

So, get organized and become a follower. It doesn't mean we're going steady. And, there's no guarantee I'll pay for dinner. But, it will save you time and you'll thank me later!

Anything else? Teach me something!

Question Of The Week

Circa 1996.....before a husband and kids.....I was a bit of a wild child. Most people I know since marriage don't believe it and those of you who have seen it first hand need not prove it here. Those records have been sealed.

But, there I was at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.....tie dye t-shirt, two hippy braids hanging over my shoulders, ever-present Birkenstocks and probably a hemp necklace on. And, there came Adam Duritz, the lead singer of Counting Crows and I was a bit star struck. OK, more than a bit. He was inconspicuously walking through the crowds (right - with that hair, not possible)....trying not to draw attention to himself....and then I came along.

"ADAM!!!!!! Oh my gosh!!!!! Is it really you?!!!!!"

Awkward, awkward, awkward. He thanked me for causing such a scene and told me he was leaving the festival. I felt about as big as the crickets I heard chirping during the uncomfortable silence.

***So, it could be said that I don't handle celebrity sightings well. How about you? Who have you seen and what happened?