Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Logan's Birthday Trip to the Arch


Well, we've been living here long enough. Guess it's about time to take the kids to the tourist spots! And what better opportunity than Logan's 7th birthday?

I thought you guys would get a kick out of seeing the Arch, so that's where we went first.



It was a long line to get inside. Daddy got us tickets up to the top while we wandered around the museum. The Arch is a monument to St. Louis being called the "Gateway to the West." So the museum is all about how the West was settled.







This animated robot guy told us all about how the military treated with the Native Americans and gave them these medallions to symbolize peace between the two peoples. Not that it lasted.

"Hey Claire, will you take a picture with Mommy, pleeeeaaaassse?"

"Uh uh."

"I'm outta here."

Nice. Thanks, daughter.

"No problem, Mom."

Logan wouldn't even take a picture with me period. Wow. I love the gratitude.


Can you spot the "real girl" in this picture?

Hanging out with the turn of the century peeps.

The kids had fun playing on this scale/weight thing while we waited to go up in the Arch.


Here we are in front of Door #3! Will it take us up? Will this stranger step in front of my picture at the perfect imperfect time? Will Logan twist his sister's head off? So many questions!

Kids, we are high.

Logan peeping out at Illinois.

Claire peeping out at Illinois!

Hey, whaddya know? It's Illinois!



Here's the Missouri side. That's downtown St. Louis.

Busch Stadium.

The old courthouse. Check out the teeeeeny horse and carriage!

Daddy and Logan riding the "egg" back down.

Claire and Daddy in "the egg."

After the Arch, we stopped at Union Station for lunch at Hard Rock.


What else does a 7-year old get on his birthday besides chicken strips?

After lunch we checked out the koi pond.




And we got ready to do a little paddle boating!

Daddy and Logan got in one boat.


Daddy's a little nervous that I'm about to man the other boat. Mama's not a very good driver!

Claire and I got in another boat.


Check out my "paddle face." I'd like to add that my left leg barely functioned for three days after this.


Claire made me paddle by these two turtles about 50 times.

I mean, really. Are they all that great? Well, this one was about the size of a skillet. I guess that made him kind of great.

I hope you enjoyed your 7th birthday outing, Logan!

Love you! Even if you wouldn't take any pictures with me (and made me cry. In front of everyone. At the Arch.....)

Love,
Mama

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Logan's Seventh Birthday Party


First of all, this is the face you get when big brother is having a party and little sister isn't.

And this is the daddy you get when there's an air hockey game and a competitive neighbor close by!

And this is the face you get when the party is ALL YOURS baby!!

Little sister, still feeling the pain.

Daddy, still playing the game...

Happy little (almost) 7-year old camper.

Aw, now there's a smile.

Wait. Nope. Never mind....

Looks like the neighbor is gonna win this one.....

But wait! The score is tied!

Finally, it's time to sit down for pizza.

And cake!



Oh my. That's a lot of candles!

Will he do it?



He will!!

With two of our neighborhood friends beside him. How much do I love our street??



What? The most awesomest medallion ever? For ME???

That is one happy kid.


The gang.

Logan's first celeb: Chuck E Cheese.

Claire, not to be outdone, poses for her own picture. Still no smile, though.

Getting ready for the TICKET BLASTER!

30 seconds on the clock!

Catch those tickets!

I AM MASTER OF THE TICKET BLASTER!
600 tickets, baby!

Then we gave our friends a chance to win more tickets and some candy with a pinata.

Score!

What a fun, fun day for a super fun kid!

All my love to you, buddy!

Mama

Friday, July 1, 2011

A Day at the Stadium


Daddy scored some tickets in the luxury suite from work one weekend and we got to go see the Cards play the Cubs. Here we are ready to walk out the door. Everyone is sooo excited, can't you tell?

Logan started to get a little wild in the box, so I took him down to the stadium's Build-A-Bear where he made his very own Fred Bird.

But when we got back to the box, Claire demanded to go make her very own "red chicken" too! So it was back to the store...

Putting in just the right amount of stuffing...

Creating a birth certificate...

Logan and his Fred Bird back in the box!

Showing off their red chickens!

Logan and I getting a rare-ish shot together!


Can you find Claire in this picture?

OH! There she is!

The game got pretty exciting toward the end. We went into the 10th inning, and Pujols won the game with a home run!



Cheers!



What a day! Thanks for taking us, Daddy!

Love,
Mama