Family Fall Funfest at Forest Park

We had another great time at a family event at Forest Park this weekend. This one was amazing! We were a little early, so we went over to the zoo first...a quick carousel ride and a shout-out to the flamingos put us back on track.
When we arrived, there were hot dogs, lemonade, apples, and popcorn for lunch (PBJs for the kids and I).

After lunch, we headed out for pony rides. This was HUGE for Rush, because right now, he's really into horses.
My parents gave him three little Schleich ones that he carries around most of the day. He'll find horses in books and point and grunt, and he loves his new stick horse we bought at SDC. Winnie was just so-so about riding...maybe a little scared? Then we took a family carriage ride. It was the same company that does it downtown. We went on a nice long ride around the park.
After that, we split up...Rush and Daddy went back to the pony rides, and Winnie and I went and painted pumpkins. She was very thoughtful about the placement of its googly eyes and did a great job with the face.
Winnie also got to swing, which makes everything so fun in her book. We heart Forest Park.

Growing Up

Maybe it's because I have watched too many episodes of "The Wonder Years" in my life, but I'm very sentimental about my kids growing up. I always think, each day, that it's a day in our lives that will be over when we go to bed and we'll never get it back again. I get all weepy just thinking about how fast time flies. I picked Winnie up from school on Friday, and she had made this little fire truck with her class out of a graham cracker. It struck me how big she is getting. She made a craft. Without me. (That's what's in the photo, if you can't tell. She, of course, didn't eat it) Then we were walking down the stairs and she proudly said, "Mommy, let's wait here and let the green room go first." I immediately thought, "How does she know this is the green room? Who is the green room? My little baby knows information that I do not know!" I have thought ever since then that my purpose in her life is to love her and protect her and teach her, but it is ultimately for me to train her to live without me. To do things on her own, to handle her own emotions, to succeed outside of our home. That's a big responsibility! I don't always know if I'm up for the challenge. I want them to stay little forever. Sigh.

Us Girls

Winnie and I were lucky to be able to spend the morning together while Rush was visiting with Grandma and Nana last week. A little "Mommy and Winnie's Day of Fun," said all Janice from Friends-style. First, we headed over to the zoo to catch the 3D Diego and Dora movie. It was amazing! But, I haven't seen a 3D movie since I was Winnie's age, so it didn't take a lot to impress me. I was reaching out trying to grab things just like she was.

Then, we had a little snack at the Painted Giraffe (at the zoo)...pumpkin pie and juice boxes! We gals are loving pumpkin pie right now.

Then we spent some time at the Zoomagination Station, which I love.
One of Winnie's favorites....binoculars.

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Last Weekend

Tracy and Winnie- they were buddies last weekend.

We went to Branson last weekend for an extra-long weekend getaway. Andy was at the farm with his man friends, so the kids (and Puddy) and I headed southwest to join my entire family. We had a great time! My favorite part of the weekend was that Tracy was able to come...she works a lot of weekends, so I don't get to see her as much as I would like (that would be all the time!) Friday afternoon, Matt and I flew solo with the four littlest ones and had fun watching Winnie and Clara reacquaint with one another. Clara brings out the wild in Winifred, which I love! When everyone else arrived, Mom, Tracy, and I went on this epic late-night trip to Wal-Mart. I really have so much fun with my family...who else can have a great time at the Branson Wal-Mart?

This is partly why I didn't take enough photos...here are the cousins, minus Owen. Looks like Dad stole his seat. Things get a little chaotic when we are all together.

On Saturday, we went to Crane, the town I grew up in for a visit with the Keithleys. They were our best friends growing up, so it was a blast seeing them.

Winnie loved this gun. She kept calling it a vacuum cleaner and would point it at you and say, "I'm going to vacuum you!"

After that, we drove over to my grandparent's house in Hurley to visit with "Grandpa Edwin" and "Big Winnie," as my little Winnie calls them.
Rush loves Grandpa

Winnie loves her cousins

And because it's hard to be around Springfield and NOT go, my parents, Tracy, and I (with W & R) ate supper at Mexican Villa. MMMmmmm! We went to Silver Dollar City on Sunday. I really wanted to go so that I could buy some pieces for the kiddos Halloween costumes. I bought the stick horses way too early. Getting two stick horses and a double stroller around The City is no easy task. Rush loved his, though...Pawpaw had to carry him around because he insisted on holding his horse's head and was banging people in the knees with the stick when he was in the stroller.

Rush LOVED the goats at Silver Dollar City. He kissed a brown one named Jethro later.

I spent the night again on Sunday because I'm really not supposed to be driving at night. It was a blessing because I got to spend a bunch of extra time with my sweet little nieces and nephews. I didn't have my camera with me all day on Saturday, but Jenny did...so, if you want to see more photos, you can do so at her blog. She has two different posts on the weekend!

Zoo Day

We went to the zoo this morning with the Reinbergs. It was the PERFECT day to be there. The weather was wonderful, so we got to see so many animals out and about and up close. The penguins were extra active this morning, so our day got off to a good start. Winnie was following them around their pool saying, "Get back here penguins!" We also got to see a big gorilla closer than I ever have before. It was a little spooky, because those things freak me out.

Al and Winnie. They had a great time this morning. These two are trouble. I mean, could they be any cuter? They are best friends, but I'm hoping they will fall in love someday.

We never ride the carousel, so this was a special treat.

Rush's first carousel ride! He was thrilled and so cute. I LOVE the carousel at the zoo here. The animals are so beautifully done.

We finished the morning with a little train ride. I love my little babies!

Picnic Lunch

There is nothing like a picnic to spruce up PBJs, chips, fruit, and an ordinary day. We had lunch across the street from Andy's office at Shaw Park.

And what picnic would be complete without a little boy licking the benches?

Cookies!

I made some no-bakes the other day, and gave Rush a tiny little bite. He was instantly in love, but who wouldn't be? I wasn't going to give him another one, and then this series of photos captures the next several minutes...




I can't blame him. Like mother, like son. He and I polished them off in a couple of days.