Arch and City Museum

Today was the day of my two favorites - the Arch and City Museum. I hope the girls think it was their favorites too!

I had to take a picture of them taking pictures.
At the Top!


At the river's edge.

City Museum has so many activities to explore, climb, touch, and create. We spent several hours there. We even went to the newest area - the Rooftop. I finally was able to see the Bus that has hung over the edge of the building for many years.

Trying to pet the Stingray.

Riding the Metro back to our van.

Girl Scout Trip

Here are some pictures from the first two days of our Girl Scout St Louis Trip. Everything is going well. The girls are very entertaining with their creativity and silliness!

Supper at Fitz Bottling Co. - mmmm RootBeer Floats!

St Louis Zoo - Which one is the Gorilla?

The Sea Lion Show

The Static Ball at The Magic House created some hilarious photo opportunities!






More Magic House fun...

Pictures

Thursday was the route to Humboldt. They got a late start and then had a flat tire. So were about the last bikers to come in. Today's top speed was 41 mph! (going down a hill) Someone asked if that was faster than he was going down the ski slope a few years ago. I am pretty sure it is but that didn't work out so well.

Wednesday

Wednesday was another long day for the bikers. They had 78 miles to go to Eureka. James topped out at 35 mph on one of the big hills into town. They had a little map trouble getting started and actually added a few miles trying to figure out why they were on a sand road instead of pavement. We met them at their lunch stop in Eldorado and presented them with bike decorations - a parrot for James and a shark for Matt. As we were waiting for them it was really cool to see the bikes surrounding the Spangles resturant.

Then we went on to Eureka and got them set up for the night before we left to come home. Yes home to sleep in my own bed for two nights. After supper they decided to add a few more miles to equal 100 miles - a century ride is a great accomplishment.

Tuesday

Yesterday was a hard ride for Jame

& Matt. They had lots of wind & 77 miles to cover. Today is very cool & possible rain & another 78 miles to ride.

Last night we stayed in St John. We also went to Great Bend to see friends. Today we will find something to do in Hutchinson then on to Halstead.

Ok so I'm trying to figure out how to update my blog from my phone. Later I will have to post pictures.
The girls & I arrived in Jetmore Sunday evening.

Day5-6

On Friday, we checked out of the hotel. Amazingly enough everything fit back into the van. I am not sure how considering the purchases we made. Each of the dolls come in a large box for example. Then we drove to the Field Museum for Madeline's orchestra performance. I did not get to hear all of the performance as we were a few minutes late for the 10 am performance. But the girls were able to hear it and take pictures as I dropped them off at the door.

After the performance, we visited many of the exhibits. This museum was not as exciting to the girls as the animals are not alive and moving. We did go through the Underground exhibit. Entering this exhibit there is a mirror chamber where you pretend to shrink to the size of a bug under the soil. We really played it up for the kids and they thought it was fun. Katie asked me later if we were still shrunk. (Here's a Katie bug inside a bug)

The museum also had an interactive play area for small kids with dress up, moveable items, and a sound room with different instruments. One room was mainly art supplies and that is where they had the most fun.

(Picking corn and painting)We also toured the mummies of egypt and pretended to lie in a mummy coffin. I love Katrianna's expression!

We left the museum about 3pm as the girls were tired. We wanted to stop at the beach for a few minutes but the only parking we could find included walking a distance and a charge of $17 so disappointingly we had to pass. Then we tried to get out of downtown. We spent over 90 minutes in horrid traffic both in downtown and on the interstate trying to get to I 80 toward Iowa. During this time sitting in traffic, Ava got sick all over herself then she was sad and not feeling well. There was nothing we could do until we got to a rest area to clean up. We gave Katie a bag to as she was gagging a little after witnessing this event. Lexie was our hero to get Ava's clothes off while she was still in the carseat and bagged them. Probably she was just a little car sick after the weaving and starting/stopping in traffic as she was fine running around the rest area while her mom cleaned the carseat.
Friday night we stayed in Cedar Rapids with Nikki's brother. After a yummy breakfast we were back on the road toward home. We spent 7 hours in the car on Friday and 8 hours in the car on Saturday. We arrived home about 7:30p and were glad to be home. Even though it is only a short stay.

Madeline's group went to Six Flags amusement park today. She is reporting that it was cold and wet. So they left a few hours earlier than scheduled and will be home early Sunday morning.

Day 4

Today has been an adventure. We managed to maneuver public transportation - the subway and the "El" train just like on tv. The girls did great paying attention and staying together. They even know how to look away when there is a rambling street person. I have to say it was a successful day. The orchestra sounded great in the Courtyard at the Sears Tower. They did however break an elevator I am told and had to wait until after the performance to go up to the Skydeck.

After the Tower it was a time for shopping. We didn't make it to many stores however, just the important ones;Hersheys, American Girl, and the Disney Store. We all found chocolate at the Hershey store -mmm. Katie adopted a new doll at the American Girl store. It is not one of the American Girls as they are too expensive. This one is a Bitty Baby and is adorable. This doll will create lots of ideas for birthday and Christmas presents as the clothes and accessories are pricey. But she is so delighted and I can not remember when we last bought her a baby doll.

Finally we went to see the Blue Man Group. To get there we had more train riding and walking. We were all glad to finally sit down and see the show. In an unexpected twist, Madeline's ticket was the seat in front of Lexie so I was able to sit with all my girls for the show. They all loved it and thought it was cool. Afterward, we jumped on Madeline's bus for a ride back to our hotel. We were tired and are very thankful they gave us a ride.

Tomorrow is our last day in Chicago. Madeline plays at the Field museum at 10am, but I am not sure we will get everything packed by then. So far we are having a great trip and have had very minor difficulties. The girls have definitely figured out this city stuff.