We took off for Kansas City this weekend*. I'm just going to quickly run through our stops so I can remember what we did when for future reference. I'll be back later with pictures and stories from our "quick trip"**.
Friday: Kids are up early. We finish packing up and hit the road. I was hoping to hit the road at 9ish. We didn't make it.
It is about 3 and a half hours from where we live to Kansas City. After our driving summer, I was expecting this to be a piece of cake. I was also expecting to make it without stopping because this is a shorter trip than we are used to.
We had to stop once.
When we got to Kansas City, we hit up the Science City attraction in the historic Union Station. Unfortunately, Ann Coulter was at union station that day as well so it was much more difficult to find the entrance and purchase tickets. We wandered around for at least 20 minutes trying to find the entrance while Amelia and William alternately said helpful things like, " Why did you pick the wrong elevator?" "Are we very lost?" "Why don't you just find a map?" "The entrance is right there - why can't you find it?" Frustrating. We all enjoyed the exhibit, although the big dinosaur section wasn't the big hit I was thinking it might be.
After Science City, we checked into our hotel and then went for some local pizza.
Back to at the hotel, we got ready to swim. I was careful to choose a hotel with a pool because it is a good way to burn some of the evening energy off before trying to make 5 people sleep in the same room who are not accustomed to that arrangement. We paraded ourselves down to the pool area....to find it was an outdoor pool. Whoops. Should have read more carefully. The temperature was just about 40 degrees, so no one wanted to even check the pool area out. Everyone was very disappointed. The big kids were finally persuaded it would be just as fun to swim in the bathtub with bubbles up in our room. I'm not actually sure it was more fun than a pool, but it did lessen the disappointment.
Saturday-
We purchased tickets to Legoland. A few of William's school friends have visited Legoland recently and he has been asking to go. They only let a certain number of people into Legoland at a time, so we booked an appointment ahead of time to make sure we could get in. Luckily, William was up at 6:15 and woke Amelia. Amelia woke Gemma shortly after, so we were up for the day. Our appointment was at 0 am, so we needed to leave by 9:30. William had us up so early, we had plenty of time. Which was good, because we didn't realize the Kansas City Marathon finish line was in the same block as Legoland. Our GPS kept telling us to turn and the streets were blocked off. People were everywhere and the traffic was pretty heavy. Parking was terrible and after close to 20 minutes of circling around we finally found a spot close to where we needed to be. Only, we couldn't figure out how to get to the door. It felt like a rerun of the precious day. At this point, I really wanted to rename this city "Unfriendly Stroller Place". There weren't any ramps, the staircases were long and everywhere we went had more and more stairs. We were frustrated. But, we finally found our destination....only to find our Legoland couldn't open yet because their staff couldn't find parking either in the Marathon mess. When the doors finally opened, the kids enjoyed the experience very much. We played and explored for a long time. Legoland was very well set up with lots of different stations and sections appealing to different age levels. It was mostly stroller friendly and had a few things Gemma could actually do. Very few places were problematic. I was worried about it being loud or filled with tiny pieces that it would be totally unsafe for Gemma.
We finished up at Legoland at lunchtime and walked across the street to a food court for lunch ($50+ for a lunch of hot dogs just doesn't do it for me). There were still tons of people roaming around wearing their running gear and I overhead am employee at one of the restaurants comment "In 6 years, I have never seen this many people here...wow!" Kind of by accident, we wandered into what appeared to be a train themed restaurant. It was a hit! It was called Fritz's and had train tracks running all over the ceiling. And the trains DELIVERED the food! Unbelievable! The trains all had little trays carrying food in a box that was dropped off onto at your table. The kids enjoyed it very much and were very entertained.
Back to the hotel for naps (Gemma, mom, dad) and a little downtime watching tv for the big kids.
For dinner we tried a new-to-us place called On the Border. It was pretty good, although we had to laugh because it was right next to our standard favorite, Chilis.
After dinner, we went over to a mall area and went to Michael's. William has been BEGGING for a rubber band bracelet. We picked up a Rainbow Loom and William was thrilled. Next we swung by the bookstore for a little browsing. can you beat that? A craft store and a bookstore in one night? That night while I put Gemma to bed, John helped Amelia and William make their first bracelets in the lobby. They were so happy.
Sunday:
We were supposed to get up early and hit 2 stops before heading home. Interestingly, up until this point, we had not ventured into Kansas. Despite being in KANSAS CITY, we hadn't yet been to Kansas. I spent about an hour furiously researching on Saturday night for something, anything that met the following criteria:
1. Open early on Sunday
2. Child appropriate (which eliminated all the casinos)
3. In Kansas
4. Wouldn't take us more that 30-40 minutes to reach from our current location.
I thought I had come up with a good option on Saturday. John and I discussed it. However, while on our way on Sunday, John revealed it was not actually in Kansas. (He swears he told me this before Sunday morning. I have no recollection of this part of the conversation). So, we drove to Kansas and turned around. John stopped to fill the car with gas when we realized we were across the street from a second location, the TRex Cafe (and adjoining gift shop +BuildA Bear). You can't be that close and not go to the TRex Cafe. So we did (more about this later).
Our last stop was a loving history site called Missouri Town 1855. It is basically a collection of building from 1850 or earlier with people reinacting the historical period. We love this- the kids are able to ask tons of questions and John and I can read/listen/photograph/learn. This was a nice collection of interesting buildings. It was unfortunate that there were only 2 people working. However we all enjoyed the experience.
*William was off of school on Wed, Thurs, Friday. I am always off on Fridays. When we got the school calendars, we (I) made a mental note about a few weekends I thought we be our travel weekends to go visit family or see something new.
**When originally planned, we were going to go to Chicago. We used to go to Chicago AT LEAST once a year to visit John's sister. We haven't been there since I was pregnant with William. Shameful. We love Chicago -museums and edible pizza! We aren't hard to please. However, for the last 2+ years we have been saying that we were going to plan a trip back to Chicago (and meaning it). So, with this short break, we planned on going to Chicago to check out the dinosaurs at the Field Museum and catching up with our Chicago branch. Sadly, when we talked with Joe and Cathy, we found out this is the weekend they had plans. We briefly considered still traveling to Chicago, but without the draw of family at the end of the drive, it felt too far for a short weekend. Kansas City has been on our to-see list for a short while AND we found a good hotel deal, so Kansas City away!
*
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Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Cartoons
Here is one he constructed using Star Wars stickers. The interesting thing is that to my knowledge, William has never seen Star Wars in any shape or form. He hasn't read any books,
magazines or anything else to reference this story. My guess is this is fueled by sheer playground information. Which is amazing, if you ask me.
You will also find my knowledge on this subject lacking as I attempt to describe what is happening.
The red guy at the top left is swinging his swords and says "Come on boy!"
The letter "H" airplane things can only say "beep!"
The airplaney thing under the H plane is saying vroom.
The golden robot guy is saying "I want candy". (I adore how the words/letters are spread out in separate bubbles)
The white guys below are both saying "no"
Finally the white roundish robot guy isn't saying anything yet.
William was beside himself with laughter as he explained this scenario to me. Apparently it is very, very funny.
*please note, the storytelling is by William. The name descriptors are made up by me.
**I'm certain my Star Wars fan of a husband is going to be horrified at my lack of retention regarding Star Wars information.
2 words
We have 2 new words over the last few days.
1. If you are changing Gemma's diaper, she will carefully watch your face. At the first sign of distaste, she will immediately plug her nose and give an enthusiastic "pee-u". Then she will laugh uproariously. She is hilarious.
2. Uh hoh. This one is still very labored. If Gemma or anyone else drops something, she will say "uh hoh". The effort it takes for her to produce this is hysterical. She concentrates very hard and furrows her brow as she says it. By the time she has it out, it almost seems out of context as several moments have passed.
Sent from my iPhone
1. If you are changing Gemma's diaper, she will carefully watch your face. At the first sign of distaste, she will immediately plug her nose and give an enthusiastic "pee-u". Then she will laugh uproariously. She is hilarious.
2. Uh hoh. This one is still very labored. If Gemma or anyone else drops something, she will say "uh hoh". The effort it takes for her to produce this is hysterical. She concentrates very hard and furrows her brow as she says it. By the time she has it out, it almost seems out of context as several moments have passed.
Sent from my iPhone
Tik it
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Not the sweet kiss
Gemma very, very rarely gives kisses. This is a very sad fact, but it is the way it is. By rarely, I mean she might give either John or I a kiss once a week. Or less. So, the ones we get are so, so precious. Frequently, her actions will start out as a kiss and halfway through it turns into a bite. I'm counting those in the total, even though they aren't exactly loving.
Earlier this week, Gemma gave me a kiss. I was SO happy and cheered loudly. She was delighted by my response, so I asked her for another kiss. She leaned in and I shut my eyes to enjoy a sweet kiss from my sweet girl.
Which is when she whacked me in the face with the baby doll she was holding in her hand.
Not at all the sweet kiss I was anticipating.
------
Gemma thinks sneezes are hilarious. The louder the better.
If you sneeze, she will gleefully laugh and then try to imitate you with a loud "BAH!"
Typically, she'll look back and you expectantly to see if she can get you to do it again. When you don't, she'll wander away to make trouble elsewhere.
------
I don't know where the song came from. I sing it to the kids, especially Gemma.
It goes "Ohh baby, oh baby, lalalalalalala, (repeat as necessary, change inflection and rhythm as needed.
On Monday morning, I had been singing this to Gemma as she was eating breakfast.
Monday afternoon found us at Costco shopping for groceries. As I quickly worked my way through the store (being fast is what counts when you have a cart full of kids) when I realized Gemma was singing. It was soft, but definitely singing "ooo ba-be" over and over again.
Sweet, sweet girl.
Earlier this week, Gemma gave me a kiss. I was SO happy and cheered loudly. She was delighted by my response, so I asked her for another kiss. She leaned in and I shut my eyes to enjoy a sweet kiss from my sweet girl.
Which is when she whacked me in the face with the baby doll she was holding in her hand.
Not at all the sweet kiss I was anticipating.
------
Gemma thinks sneezes are hilarious. The louder the better.
If you sneeze, she will gleefully laugh and then try to imitate you with a loud "BAH!"
Typically, she'll look back and you expectantly to see if she can get you to do it again. When you don't, she'll wander away to make trouble elsewhere.
------
I don't know where the song came from. I sing it to the kids, especially Gemma.
It goes "Ohh baby, oh baby, lalalalalalala, (repeat as necessary, change inflection and rhythm as needed.
On Monday morning, I had been singing this to Gemma as she was eating breakfast.
Monday afternoon found us at Costco shopping for groceries. As I quickly worked my way through the store (being fast is what counts when you have a cart full of kids) when I realized Gemma was singing. It was soft, but definitely singing "ooo ba-be" over and over again.
Sweet, sweet girl.
Conversations v.1398
At dinner, we were talking about our days and (in theory) everyone was taking turns.
William was talking about a colorful necklace someone at school has and how much he wanted one.
Mom: It looked tight when I was up at school. Do you think it gets caught in his hair?
William: His hair is shorter than mine.
Mom: Exactly.
William: What?
Mom: Your hair is longer, do you think it will get caught in your hair?
William: Is my hair too long? I don't want a hair cut.
Mom: I think your hair is perfect.
William (preening): You like my hair?
Mom: Yes. You are very handsome.
Amelia: BUT!!! Wait! (the look on her face says she is processing as fast as possible and trying to come up with something, ANYTHING to add to this conversation). My hair is very, very long!
Mom/Dad: Yes.
Amelia: But!! My bamgs* are so short! They are NOT long like the rest of my hair! These bamgs are so annoying!
*this is an approximation as to how she said it. John and I could not agree upon the correct spelling of what she actually said.
----
Later in the meal, Amelia piped up:
Amelia: And then there was a fairy!
Mom: Wait, what?
Amelia: Mooom! There was a fairy!!
Mom: Okay.
Amelia: There was a fairy and one day she just waved her wand and POOP! a little dog appeared.
Mom (looks at dad, both are trying not to giggle): What did the fairy do?
Amelia (exasperated): She went POOP and made the dog appear.
Mom (looking away, trying to contain herself): So she poofed and the dog appeared?
Amelia: No! She POOPED and made it happen.
Mom: Huh. I didn't hear it that way.
Amelia: Well, maybe you should listen more Mom.
---
William was talking about a colorful necklace someone at school has and how much he wanted one.
Mom: It looked tight when I was up at school. Do you think it gets caught in his hair?
William: His hair is shorter than mine.
Mom: Exactly.
William: What?
Mom: Your hair is longer, do you think it will get caught in your hair?
William: Is my hair too long? I don't want a hair cut.
Mom: I think your hair is perfect.
William (preening): You like my hair?
Mom: Yes. You are very handsome.
Amelia: BUT!!! Wait! (the look on her face says she is processing as fast as possible and trying to come up with something, ANYTHING to add to this conversation). My hair is very, very long!
Mom/Dad: Yes.
Amelia: But!! My bamgs* are so short! They are NOT long like the rest of my hair! These bamgs are so annoying!
*this is an approximation as to how she said it. John and I could not agree upon the correct spelling of what she actually said.
----
Later in the meal, Amelia piped up:
Amelia: And then there was a fairy!
Mom: Wait, what?
Amelia: Mooom! There was a fairy!!
Mom: Okay.
Amelia: There was a fairy and one day she just waved her wand and POOP! a little dog appeared.
Mom (looks at dad, both are trying not to giggle): What did the fairy do?
Amelia (exasperated): She went POOP and made the dog appear.
Mom (looking away, trying to contain herself): So she poofed and the dog appeared?
Amelia: No! She POOPED and made it happen.
Mom: Huh. I didn't hear it that way.
Amelia: Well, maybe you should listen more Mom.
---
Saturday, October 12, 2013
The Sport Authority
We were eating dinner last week and we had another memorable conversation with none other than our Amelia.
Amelia: Okay everyone! (the look on her face is not....natural. This tells me she is most likely impersonating someone)
The family:...... (silence)
Amelia: Who knows what happened with the Rams' team?
The family: ..... (silence. no ones. Seriously. If our lives depended on it, we couldn't tell you one single thing other than they play football and are from St Louis.*)
Amelia: (dramatic voice, holds up her hands over her head): Welllllllllllll, the Rams have won 1 game and lost 3 games (demonstrates by holding up fingers). Do you think the Rams have won more games or lost more games (dramatic pause)?
The family: Lost?
Amelia: YES! The Rams are SO sad because they lost more games than they have won! The Rams have to work really hard to win the next game!
The family: Hmmmm....(John is particular is impressed. He pulls out his phone to verify this information)
Amelia: Now! What about the Cardinals team (she is still talking in this false voice, waving her arms when she talks and making odd facial expressions)?
The family: .......
Amelia: The Cardinals are winning! They have to win one more game! It is so exciting!
John: (whispering): Holy cow! She is right! (a stricken look comes across his face) Our 4 year old knows more about current sporting news than we do.....Should we be worried?
Kelly: Nah. We know where the information is coming from...
* I am not kidding when I saw we don't follow sports. This fact is incomprehensible to several of our neighbors** and friends, but we literally do not follow sports. At all. Ever.
**Our poor neighbor is super friendly and has been trying for YEARS to engage John in sportstalk. He talks about all the St Louis teams (baseball, football, hockey, soccer) and when that doesn't spark a conversation, he will easily switch to the Minnesota teams (baseball, football, hockey, basketball). Every single time he is completely baffled that John and I don't have anything to discuss. Nope. Didn't catch the game. Or that one. Or the other one. Yeah. Not that one either.
Amelia: Okay everyone! (the look on her face is not....natural. This tells me she is most likely impersonating someone)
The family:...... (silence)
Amelia: Who knows what happened with the Rams' team?
The family: ..... (silence. no ones. Seriously. If our lives depended on it, we couldn't tell you one single thing other than they play football and are from St Louis.*)
Amelia: (dramatic voice, holds up her hands over her head): Welllllllllllll, the Rams have won 1 game and lost 3 games (demonstrates by holding up fingers). Do you think the Rams have won more games or lost more games (dramatic pause)?
The family: Lost?
Amelia: YES! The Rams are SO sad because they lost more games than they have won! The Rams have to work really hard to win the next game!
The family: Hmmmm....(John is particular is impressed. He pulls out his phone to verify this information)
Amelia: Now! What about the Cardinals team (she is still talking in this false voice, waving her arms when she talks and making odd facial expressions)?
The family: .......
Amelia: The Cardinals are winning! They have to win one more game! It is so exciting!
John: (whispering): Holy cow! She is right! (a stricken look comes across his face) Our 4 year old knows more about current sporting news than we do.....Should we be worried?
Kelly: Nah. We know where the information is coming from...
* I am not kidding when I saw we don't follow sports. This fact is incomprehensible to several of our neighbors** and friends, but we literally do not follow sports. At all. Ever.
**Our poor neighbor is super friendly and has been trying for YEARS to engage John in sportstalk. He talks about all the St Louis teams (baseball, football, hockey, soccer) and when that doesn't spark a conversation, he will easily switch to the Minnesota teams (baseball, football, hockey, basketball). Every single time he is completely baffled that John and I don't have anything to discuss. Nope. Didn't catch the game. Or that one. Or the other one. Yeah. Not that one either.
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