Mini-Vacation

We took our annual St. Louis mini-vacation during Olivia's spring break. Our first stop was the City Museum, which is a true architectural marvel (and a bit of a navigational nightmare!). I highly recommend this place, especially if you have an older child (certainly no toddlers!).

Here are the kids on one of the elevated walkways. Notice how Olivia doesn't look that happy - it took some coaxing to get them to enter into the tunnels. However, after our first tunnel, the kids warmed up to the idea and began entering into every tunnel or hole they could find! Definitely not for those who are claustrophobic!

Olivia found this chameleon in the middle of one tunnel. Notice Joe lurking in the background. This became a bit of a theme/joke for this vacation.

Ethan navigating a tunnel. Joe again in the background.

Who can resist a picture with an enormous pair of undies?

Olivia cannot resist an art project, even in the middle of the City Museum!

I don't know what to call this structure (some sort of a skateboarding thing?), but the kids had a blast taking turns sliding down it.

Ethan as Tarzan.

The kids were actually brave enough to pet the sting rays this year.

These turtles had quite the personality - I honestly think that they were playing hide and seek with the kids!

The second day was a gorgeous day for the zoo! Sunny but a bit cool, so all of the animals were active in the morning. Ethan was thrilled to see one of his favorite animals - the rhino.

This is a big milestone for Olivia. The very first year she went to the zoo, she cried and cried from this snake statue - obviously thinking it was real. Later, she would look at it, but not really want to get close to it. This year was a big hug for the snake!

Olivia demonstrating how the elephant was eating.

I swear we could have petted the giraffes if we just reached our hands out a bit.

Joe and the kids with the Okapi. A truly confused looking animal.

Another traditonal zoo picture. For Olivia's first picture with this penguin, she could barely stand on her own and was as tall as the staute. This is a nice way to measure her growth!

On the train for a bit of a rest.

I am rather proud of this photo.

And our last traditional picture, most possibly the last one of this pose. Holding Olivia up to the lizard.

Ethan's cotton candy mess. It was fun to watch, not much fun to clean up.

After the zoo was a trip to the Arch.

We were able to convince the kids to ride to the top of the Arch this year. Ethan was a trooper, but, as you can see, Olivia was very very nervous. Mostly about the elevator ride.

Once at the top, the kids had a blast moving from one window to the next. They had no fear!

Our last moring was spent at the Science Center. Here they are on the overpass waiting for a car to drive under them.

Playing in the outside science experiment playland.

Olivia was old enough to become a junior scientist for an hour. She loved doing her experiments in her official lab coat.

We ended our trip at Lafayette Park with Aunt Rachel. This frog was very popular with them.

Although it is a gorgeous backdrop, Olivia's body language says it all - they were ready to go home!