Staycation 2009 - Day 3

We started off Day 3 of Staycation at First Watch, our favorite breakfast place in Webster. After breakfast we headed to the Transportation Museum. We weren't sure what to expect here, other than what I had read online about a toddler activity room called Creation Station. We purchased our "boarding passes" for the Creation Station as soon as we arrived. Our boarding time was 10:30, so we had about 30 minutes to check out all of the trains. The Creation Station turned out to be a really cool place. Mia was overwhelmed at first, but then she started exploring. Mia had a great time climbing on the ship, playing dress-up and just running around. Our tickets gave us an hour of play time, but shortly after 11 she was ready to go. Before we left the museum, we checked out all of the cars and took a family picture.

Mia playing on the ship


Ahoy Matey!


Dress up fun!




The Simon Family




After the museum, we headed home so Mia could eat lunch and then take a good nap. Once she woke up, it was time for more fun. We went to Monkey Joes, which basically is an indoor play area with lots of bounce houses. The first four bounce structures are only for toddlers, so we were able to let Mia bounce, jump and play without worrying about the big kids. She absolutely had a blast! This was probably the outing she enjoyed the most out of our whole week of activities! Plus, it was relatively cheap too - only $5 for unlimited bouncing. I'm sure we'll be headed there again soon.



Whee!


Jump! Jump!


Most of our activities on Staycation centered around Mia, but we did do a few things that Jake and I enjoyed more than Mia. For dinner we went to one of our favorite pizza places - Dewey's. Mia was tuckered out and starting to get a little fussy, but our waitress saved the day by bringing her cheese and grapes to tide her over until dinner. And just like Mom and Dad, Mia loved her Dewey's pizza!

Staycation 2009 - Day 2

Our 2nd day of Staycation was also St. Patrick's Day. The weather was gorgeous, which was ideal since we had planned a day at the Zoo. Our goal was to get to the zoo by 10am, so we could take advantage of the free Children's Zoo admission. Little did we know that we would be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic within Forest Park. We made it to the zoo past 10, but decided to ante up and pay for the Children's Zoo admission. Unfortunately many of the exhibits were closed or the activities were too old for Mia, so we didn't spend much time there.






Probably Mia's favorite thing at the zoo was the carousel. This was Mia's first time on a carousel, so we weren't sure what to expect. Before the ride started, she couldn't decide on which one she wanted to ride on. But then we heard the bell and we were off. Mia's face was pure joy as we went round & round and up & down. Jake was watching us so he could take pictures and we waved to him as we passed by each time.



After the zoo, we had planned to eat lunch at the Boathouse since the weather was beautiful. Traffic was still crazy in the park, so we actually couldn't make it into the parking lot. We decided to go to Schlafly Bottleworks since they have a large outdoor seating area. After 45 minutes in traffic due to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dogtown, we finally made it to the restaurant, only to find that the patio didn't open until April 1. Oh well - we were starving and it was late so we ate inside anyway.

Since Mia had slept on our drive to the restaurant, we went straight to Tilles Park after lunch. This park has an awesome children's area. Mia had a blast running around and going down all the different slides. Plus, since most kids were probably napping at 2:30, the park was nearly empty. After Mia had her fill (or more like Mom and Dad needed a break), we put a blanket on the ground and had a "picnic". Mia loved walking around in the grass barefoot! As we were lying on our blanket, Jake and I took a moment to appreciate how lucky we are and how much we enjoy spending time together as a family. Staycation is the best!






Apparently, the diaper change game can be played anywhere!

Staycation 2009 - Day 1

After Jake had to work such crazy hours in December and January, we decided that we needed some extended family time. My work had given me an extra week of vacation in lieu of a raise, so I had still have 5 days to use before March 31. Jake also had vacation available, so we decided to take a full week of vacation - but instead of traveling somewhere, we opted for a STAYcation. This would give us the chance to do activities around St. Louis that we've always wanted to do, but can't quite seem to find the time to do them. Also, with Max needing insulin shots every day, we wouldn't have to worry about finding someone to take care of him.

Our week of Staycation was awesome! We were able to balance the right amount of busy with the right amount of relaxation. We had some wonderful family time and enjoyed having so much extra time with Mia. And the weather cooperated beautifully. Really, we could not have asked for a better week!

One Day 1, we went to Imo's for lunch. All of the high chairs were taken, so Mia got to sit in a booster seat. She actually did really well! Here's Mia with the creepy Imo's statue.




After lunch, we went to the Science Center.



The main attraction for us there was the Discovery Room, which is a special area just for Toddlers. This area requires tickets for 45 minutes of play. Mia had a lot of fun checking everything out. Her favorite activity was the computer (like father, like daughter). After our time in the Discovery Room, we checked out a few more things, but Mia was tuckered out so we headed home.






That evening we had swim lessons at the Y. Afterwards we went to DQ for ice cream - a birthday treat! What a great day!

Ready for Spring!

After the Birthday celebrations at Beth & Terry's, we headed over for a quick visit with Grandma and Papa Simon. Mia loved running around in the backyard and we were able to snap a few cute pictures. We are all ready for the spring weather so we can enjoy more time outside!

Running with Daddy!


Swinging around with Mommy!


Looking cute!

Happy Birthday Terry & Kara!

I'm actually jumping ahead in my blogging to catch up so I can blog about our recent Staycation (which is sadly coming to a close-boo!)

The weekend before our Staycation was full of birthday celebrations. On Friday 3/14, the Simon Family took me out to dinner to Saleems West (Lebanese food). We've been going to the Saleems in the Loop for several years and were sad when we found out that it had closed. However, I found on Sauce Magazine website that there was a new Saleems West location. It was a trek for the IL folks, but we all decided it would be worth it As we anticipated, the food was delicious! After dinner, we headed to Best Buy so Jake and I could make a purchase - a Wii! Of course that night we stayed up late playing games - complete with a sore Wii arm the next day!

In the Twenhafel family it is our tradition that Terry and I celebrate our birthdays together since his birthday is one day before mine. On Sunday 3/15, Beth and Terry had the family over for a birthday lunch. Beth made two different homemade lasagnas (regular version and seafood version). Both were fantastic! And mom made my favorite chocolate sheet cake and Pearl made Terry's favorite angel food cake. As you can tell, we had lots of good eats this weekend!

The Birthday Boy & Girl


Mia trying on Uncle Terry's new shoes


Mia reading Mommy's new book

Slumber Party!

I've been craving girl time - which I feel I never get enough of anymore - so for my birthday Cathy hosted a Slumber Party. It was a girls only night - Margaritas and Senoritas. Cathy made delicious margaritas, we had lots of Mexican food- including Toni's homemade guacamole - and had some time to chat and catch up. Toni also made a homemade apple cake that was scrumptious, especially with the cinnamon ice cream. I had such a fun night and it was just what I needed. Thanks to all my girls - you are the best!

Wow - look at all those candles!

Valentine's Day 2009

I'm still behind on my blogging but thought these photos were too cute to skip. For Valentine's this year, we kept up our tradition of our Valentine dinner at Pho Grand. Jake and I have been going there for years now. This year it was a little more difficult with Mia. We had about a 40 minute wait, which is pretty long for a toddler. After dinner, we headed to DQ for an ice cream treat. Yum!

Mommy and Mia at Pho Grand


Daddy and Mia


Mia and her Valentine gift - an Elmo book!

Mia - the little mother

Mia absolutely loves to play with her baby dolls. She has several at home that she carries around with her. Many days her sheet from school states "Mia and Lauren had fun playing with the baby doll" or something to that effect. Its so funny to watch her with the dolls because many times she reenacts things we do with her - diaper changes, rocking the baby, and feeding her. Here's a perfect example:

Mia giving her baby doll a drink from her cup. (Complete with sound effects! I'll work on getting video!)


Mia burping her baby.


Mia hugging the baby after burping her.



Mia's wrapped up the baby in a blanket. Baby is ready for "Night Night."

The Magic House

In the beginning of February, the Webster Groves Parents as Teachers organization hosted a free night at the Magic House. We were so excited to check it out since we haven't been there since the renovation. However, we had so much fun in the toddler area (which is the old section) that we didn't even make it over to the huge new area. We'll have to plan another night there! (By the way, I just recently found out that the Magic House is free the 3rd Friday of every month!)

Mia's favorite activity was playing in the sand. She loved to use the shovel to fill up the funnel with sand.


Climbing up the circular staircase


Look at me!


Having fun with Daddy!


What a cute little pose!

Super Bowl Sunday

On Super Bowl Sunday, the three cousins wore their cheerleading outfits to church. Annaliese cheers for the Bears, Lilah cheers for the Rams and Mia cheers for U of I (yes, I realize its a college team, but work with me people). The girls looked adorable, so after church we took a few pictures. Of course, it was a difficult task to get a picture of all three girls looking at the same camera. The first picture cracks me up - all of the moms look great, but the girls are pretty funny!



Peek A Boo Mia!


Corralling Annaliese and Lilah


Annaliese and her fancy beads!

Toddler Gymnastics

In January we started Mia in a Toddler Gymnastics class through the Kirkwood Y. My co-worker Sarah had signed up her daughter Miranda, who is about 4 mos older than Mia, in the class. We thought this would be a fun class for the girls, as well as a fun time for us to hang out.

It was amazing to see how Mia progressed over the course of the class. When we first started on January 5, Mia was still a little unsteady when she was walking. By the end of the session in mid-February, Mia was running all over the place. The class was a great way for Mia to explore, climb and jump in a safe environment. There were lots of mats set up, a slide (by far Mia's favorite!), a bar to hang on, a small balance beam, a mini trampoline, etc...

Mia's favorite slide


Mia and Miranda on the bar


Jumping!


Miranda