Personalized bats from Louisville Slugger Musuem and Factory
T-shirts from Ft. Wayne Zoo
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Vacation Days 5-7
On Thursday, we checked out of the condo and headed towards Indianapolis. We made a stop in Columbus to check out their River Walk area. We didn't quite make it all the way to the River Walk but did stop off at the playground so the kids could burn off some energy. We also had lunch at Zaharakos, a restored old-fashioned soda shop where we treated ourselves to milkshakes. We then went on our way to the outlet mall, where I snagged some good deals on clothes for the girls next summer.
By the time we made it to our hotel in Indianapolis, the girls were worn out and very crabby as they didn't have a nap. Allison told us that she would rather stay and take a nap than go out to dinner. Once Brian started to get her ready for her nap, she changed her mind. We walked towards downtown to the main shopping area to find somewhere to eat. I noticed people kept glancing at our stroller and smiling, so I took a peek at the girls to see what was going on. Allison had fallen asleep....I don't think she has fallen asleep in her stroller in at least a year and a half. We found a restaurant where we could roll the stroller right up to the table. She continued sleeping until the food came out. It felt so strange to only have to deal with one child as we waited for our food.
The next day we headed to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The place is huge and would have taken hours to go through it all; in fact my sister and her family just went and they spent 7 hours there. Because the kids didn't nap the day before, we only stayed about 2.5 hours, which was enough for them. I can't wait to go back when they get older, as we barely saw any of the exhibits the musuem has to offer.
Later that night, we strolled along the river walk for a little bit. I was really impressed with downtown Indy and would love for a chance to go back again...maybe next time without the kids.
We left on Saturday, but not before we headed to the Indianapolis Zoo. We arrived right at 9 am when they opened and it was a bit overcast. This was great for us since it wasn't very busy and we had a chance to see all the animals up-close. My favorites were the polar bear and walrus exhibits. We finished touring the zoo just in time to see the dolphin show. Next we went to the splash pad, where there were only two other families, giving the girls free reign. We finished up with a quick snack and headed out just as it was starting to sprinkle.
The drive home went smoothly and everyone was very happy to be home. Amelia walked into the living room and saw her Little People sets and yelled out "Yay" and sat down to play. Allison was happy to check out all her birthday presents once again.
By the time we made it to our hotel in Indianapolis, the girls were worn out and very crabby as they didn't have a nap. Allison told us that she would rather stay and take a nap than go out to dinner. Once Brian started to get her ready for her nap, she changed her mind. We walked towards downtown to the main shopping area to find somewhere to eat. I noticed people kept glancing at our stroller and smiling, so I took a peek at the girls to see what was going on. Allison had fallen asleep....I don't think she has fallen asleep in her stroller in at least a year and a half. We found a restaurant where we could roll the stroller right up to the table. She continued sleeping until the food came out. It felt so strange to only have to deal with one child as we waited for our food.
The next day we headed to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The place is huge and would have taken hours to go through it all; in fact my sister and her family just went and they spent 7 hours there. Because the kids didn't nap the day before, we only stayed about 2.5 hours, which was enough for them. I can't wait to go back when they get older, as we barely saw any of the exhibits the musuem has to offer.
Later that night, we strolled along the river walk for a little bit. I was really impressed with downtown Indy and would love for a chance to go back again...maybe next time without the kids.
We left on Saturday, but not before we headed to the Indianapolis Zoo. We arrived right at 9 am when they opened and it was a bit overcast. This was great for us since it wasn't very busy and we had a chance to see all the animals up-close. My favorites were the polar bear and walrus exhibits. We finished touring the zoo just in time to see the dolphin show. Next we went to the splash pad, where there were only two other families, giving the girls free reign. We finished up with a quick snack and headed out just as it was starting to sprinkle.
The drive home went smoothly and everyone was very happy to be home. Amelia walked into the living room and saw her Little People sets and yelled out "Yay" and sat down to play. Allison was happy to check out all her birthday presents once again.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Vacation - Day 3 and 4
On Tuesday, which was day three of our vacation, we started off with a road trip to Louisville, KY where we visited the zoo. The highlight of the zoo for me was the orangutan, who parked himself right against the window. You could make eye contact with him; I could have easily sat there for a half hour and watched him. The highlight of the zoo for the girls was the splash pad. Prior to our visit, I had seen on the map that they had a splash pad. I figured a change of outfit would have been sufficient. I didn’t realize that it was mini water park and that all the kids wore bathing suits. Whoops! Luckily we were able to buy a swimmy diaper for Mia so she could play too.
After the zoo, we headed downtown to go to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. We figured the girls were too young to take a tour of the factory, so we just bought each of them a custom souvenir bat with their name engraved on it. While we waited for their bats, we had lunch and looked around downtown Louisville.
We were hoping the girls would nap on the way back to Nashville, but that didn’t happen. To break up the trip a bit, and to wait out a downpour, we stopped off at a Dairy Queen where Allison ate every last bit of her ice cream cone and wouldn’t let us leave until then.
On Wednesday, we wanted to stay close to town so we could relax and the girls could take a nap in the afternoon. We toured the Brown County State Park, which is also known as the “Little Smokies.” We started off at the playground and then took a nature walk, both being great opportunities for the girls to burn off some energy.
After naps, we headed to town for dinner and to look at some more shops. We then visited the Brown County Fair. My hope was for the girls to see some animals. After trekking all the way to the back of the fairgrounds, we found the one animal barn, however our long hike was well worth it. Amelia LOVED the goats, and by love, I mean cracking up non-stop laughing. She laughed the entire time we were in the barn, not just mild laughing but a deep belly laugh that continued the whole visit. I wish we had the video camera. After a quick visit with the animals, we headed back to the car. I think our trip to the fair lasted all of 15 minutes but the memories will last a lifetime. I think for Brian and I, seeing Amelia's reaction will be one of our most cherished moments of the trip.
After the zoo, we headed downtown to go to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. We figured the girls were too young to take a tour of the factory, so we just bought each of them a custom souvenir bat with their name engraved on it. While we waited for their bats, we had lunch and looked around downtown Louisville.
We were hoping the girls would nap on the way back to Nashville, but that didn’t happen. To break up the trip a bit, and to wait out a downpour, we stopped off at a Dairy Queen where Allison ate every last bit of her ice cream cone and wouldn’t let us leave until then.
On Wednesday, we wanted to stay close to town so we could relax and the girls could take a nap in the afternoon. We toured the Brown County State Park, which is also known as the “Little Smokies.” We started off at the playground and then took a nature walk, both being great opportunities for the girls to burn off some energy.
After naps, we headed to town for dinner and to look at some more shops. We then visited the Brown County Fair. My hope was for the girls to see some animals. After trekking all the way to the back of the fairgrounds, we found the one animal barn, however our long hike was well worth it. Amelia LOVED the goats, and by love, I mean cracking up non-stop laughing. She laughed the entire time we were in the barn, not just mild laughing but a deep belly laugh that continued the whole visit. I wish we had the video camera. After a quick visit with the animals, we headed back to the car. I think our trip to the fair lasted all of 15 minutes but the memories will last a lifetime. I think for Brian and I, seeing Amelia's reaction will be one of our most cherished moments of the trip.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Vacation 2010 Recap Days 1-2
Our family vacation was a success. We all made it back safe and sound and most importantly we had fun. There were a few stressful and crabby moments, but that is to be expected when traveling with a one and newly, three year-old.
This year we decided to go to Nashville, Indiana. You may ask, how did we choose this "popular" family destination? With the girls still so young, we wanted to keep our trip low key and most importantly, within a reasonable driving distance. As long as we can stay in a condo (with a pool), be close to a town where we can walk around, and be within a day trip to a zoo or children's museum, we are good to go. Indianapolis has been on my "to visit" list for quite a while, so I asked a friend for suggestions on any resort or tourist towns within 1-2 hours. She suggested Nashville and I found a great deal on a two bedroom condo that we could stay at.
Since we took over 500 pictures, I figured it would be best to break down the trip in two-day segments. Don't worry, I won't show you all 500+ pictures though.
We left on Sunday, July 25, the day after Allison's birthday party, which was a bit tiring. The trip went well. The girls were excited with all the stuff I packed for them. Allison didn't want to let go of her new backpack filled with birthday presents. I think it stayed on her lap the entire trip.
We stopped off at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Brian came up with this suggestion as it was the halfway point between home and Nashville. I honestly had no idea of what to expect. I figured with it being a "children's zoo" that it would be a small zoo, however I was wrong. We were both very impressed with the zoo; the entire grounds were beautiful and they had plenty for the kids to do. Allison fed a giraffe and we all took a train and "river raft" ride that both the girls enjoyed.
After the zoo, we continued on our way to Nashville and checked into our condo. The place was huge and allowed the girls plenty of room to run around.
On Monday we stayed in town. We walked around the shops in Nashville and treated the girls to a stuffed animal they “made” themselves. They both chose a dog. Actually, Allison, being in the “I want what Amelia has” selected the exact same dog that Mia had just picked out. However, we were able to steer Amelia to a basset hound. Amelia, being our stuffed animal fan, loved the whole process and was super excited about stuffing the dog. She cracked up laughing the whole time. We still don’t have names for the dogs, so if anyone has any good suggestions, please pass them along.
After nap, we had to check out the pool. Allison did great swimming around on her own. We then took Allison out to her birthday dinner. We made a quick trip to Walmart for some pool supplies and headed back home for birthday cake to end the day.
This year we decided to go to Nashville, Indiana. You may ask, how did we choose this "popular" family destination? With the girls still so young, we wanted to keep our trip low key and most importantly, within a reasonable driving distance. As long as we can stay in a condo (with a pool), be close to a town where we can walk around, and be within a day trip to a zoo or children's museum, we are good to go. Indianapolis has been on my "to visit" list for quite a while, so I asked a friend for suggestions on any resort or tourist towns within 1-2 hours. She suggested Nashville and I found a great deal on a two bedroom condo that we could stay at.
Since we took over 500 pictures, I figured it would be best to break down the trip in two-day segments. Don't worry, I won't show you all 500+ pictures though.
We left on Sunday, July 25, the day after Allison's birthday party, which was a bit tiring. The trip went well. The girls were excited with all the stuff I packed for them. Allison didn't want to let go of her new backpack filled with birthday presents. I think it stayed on her lap the entire trip.
We stopped off at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Brian came up with this suggestion as it was the halfway point between home and Nashville. I honestly had no idea of what to expect. I figured with it being a "children's zoo" that it would be a small zoo, however I was wrong. We were both very impressed with the zoo; the entire grounds were beautiful and they had plenty for the kids to do. Allison fed a giraffe and we all took a train and "river raft" ride that both the girls enjoyed.
After the zoo, we continued on our way to Nashville and checked into our condo. The place was huge and allowed the girls plenty of room to run around.
On Monday we stayed in town. We walked around the shops in Nashville and treated the girls to a stuffed animal they “made” themselves. They both chose a dog. Actually, Allison, being in the “I want what Amelia has” selected the exact same dog that Mia had just picked out. However, we were able to steer Amelia to a basset hound. Amelia, being our stuffed animal fan, loved the whole process and was super excited about stuffing the dog. She cracked up laughing the whole time. We still don’t have names for the dogs, so if anyone has any good suggestions, please pass them along.
After nap, we had to check out the pool. Allison did great swimming around on her own. We then took Allison out to her birthday dinner. We made a quick trip to Walmart for some pool supplies and headed back home for birthday cake to end the day.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Birthday Memories
Allison had a wonderful birthday party. She was able to celebrate with family and friends. We played games, opened presents, and had cake. The weather was beautiful; we couldn't have asked for a better day.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Happy Birthday Sweetheart!
Happy Birthday Sweetheart,
We celebrated your birthday today with your family and friends. It was a fun day. Even though they had predicated rain for today all week, it stayed dry for your party. You had so much fun playing with your cousins and your friends. What a difference a year makes. Last year you were content with playing on your own; this year you were right in the thick of all the "big kids". At times you were even being a bit of a bully, picking on them and coloring on their chalk drawings. I think you were testing to see what you could get away with.
It has been amazing watching you grow this past year. You are a very sweet child and concerned with others, especially your sister Amelia. You can be cautious in your ways but you are starting to become more adventurous. You love to help me and your Dad around the house; however it is on your own terms. You don’t want to pick up toys after you are done playing, but you would gladly help in the kitchen when making lunch or dinner.
If you were allowed you would be very content sitting on the couch watching your shows all afternoon long. However, you do like to work on your puzzles and look at your books. We also discovered this week that you love to play “Duck, Duck, Goose.” I just wish I didn’t always end up as the Goose.
Allison, there are no words to describe how much I love you. Sometimes I look at you in amazement and wonder how your Dad and I became so blessed to be your parents. You are what keeps me grounded. No matter what happens during the day, at the end of it, I get to read you books and put you to bed. And for that, I thank you for being my daughter.
Love,
Mom
Monday, July 12, 2010
Another Wonderful 4th of July
Another 4th of July has come and gone. In keeping up with tradition, we went to visit my family. We started off the day with a parade. Allison was very into the parade this year, especially collecting candy. That was a huge hit. After the parade we went back to my sister's house for lunch, games, and swimming. Both girls had a great time and were completely beat by the time we left. Amelia was conked out before we even hit the expressway.
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