This past week has been much of the same as far as learning goes - independent learning with LeapFrog Tag, Max in BrainQuest, Toddler Signing Videos, and Alphabet and Counting.  But, then Gigi and Pa invited us to join them for a quick trip to St. Louis, MO.

First Stop: The Magic House.  This place was seriously AWESOME.  Although, I must say that it would’ve been much more awesome with fewer (undisciplined) children.  I love kids, I really do…I just have no patience for kids that bully other children and who are “cut loose” from their parents (and apparently any sort of civilized behavior) as soon as they get through the door.  Taking turns, being patient, being courteous and polite are all things that  I THINK children should learn at an early age.  It’s one thing to have unrealistic expectations (like expecting a baby not to cry or a toddler not to have little breakdowns when they’ve not had naps or are hungry), but it’s another to totally let them be disrespectful on account of them being CHILDREN.  Seriously.  Seven and Eight Year Olds should know better than to shove two year olds out of the way because they couldn’t wait 30 seconds to have a turn.  They should know better than to shove their shoe into another child’s forehead JUST BECAUSE they weren’t paying attention to what they were doing.  Repeatedly.  But, apparently, some didn’t…

We finally had enough, though and used a little bit of our “grown up size” to er…block them off…and make them wait their turn.

Climbing through a tunnel with Lala.

Sitting at the “President’s desk” with my secretary.  Ah, the life.

Look at us.  All ready for court!

You, there!  GUILTY!

Lala playing with plastic coated pins and making hand-prints.

Next stop: The City Museum in St. Louis, MO

The magic house had tons of fun (including mini-me grocery store and house and other set ups), but the City Museum had much more fun stuff for the “older kids.”  The floor and walls were filled with beautiful colorful mosaics, and there was art EVERYWHERE.  Not framed art, but beautiful structures made from odd and everyday objects.  It was amazing!  There were surprises everywhere, from the underground cave system to the tunnels in the walls and ceilings!  Lala was able to do a lot, but then got to rest with Gigi and Pa as Sir, myself, and Amburger (Sir’s sister.  Not her real name.) all went to “play” in the tunnels.  Outside, there was more climbing…3 stories up.  We climbed through iron structures where one could easily lose a flip flop, and then slid down a two story slide, after walking through small planes.

Last:  The zoo.

Lala loved the snakes and monkeys and turtles.  We were running on almost zero sleep at this point from a late-night tummy ache, but she held out pretty good.

Lala focusing on the …railing?

Ooooh…there are the turtles!

She also got to see a HIPPO swimming closeup!  She was SOOO excited.

We’re already thinking about taking a return visit to the Magic House, but hopefully we can go DURING THE WEEK, when most kids are in school.  That, and not on a holiday weekend.  We had a blast though, so thanks Gigi and Pa and Amburger for letting us tag along!  Lala loved getting to see some animals in real life that we’ve been learning about for a while now in our books, and she had some great one-on-one time with Aunt Amburger (now, they’re big buddies) and learning a new sign: Hamburger.

Welcome back!