"Gateway" to Fun

We spent the weekend in STL w/ my parents & my sister, Paige, and her family. It was so much fun! Instead of going to the Zoo or Grant's Farm, we opted to go to the City Museum, which was recommended by friends & co-workers as a "for-sure" hit for kids! Ellie gave it 2 thumbs up. It was wild, crazy, & quirky. It is full of mazes made from cages, trees, and other objects that are the perfect size for kids (not so much for parents). The rooftop was Ellie's favorite part - complete with huge slides, a Ferris wheel, and leaping pads.
Ellie & Jamie trying not to get wet ...Don't fall in or get hit by the sprinkler!

Ellie is whining that the line is too long?! She is not a very patient child - kind of like me.

Finally! All smiles! The Ferris wheel was on the roof top of the 11th floor.

Ok...she really made my tummy do flips on this thing! It is a caged finale (think top of Russian palace) that you can crawl up in & look over the city sky line. See below picture from the ground...the finale cage is where she was. (Have I ever mentioned that I am scared of heights?)

The City Museum was full of fun, quirky, cage contraptions that are defiantly made for the kids & not adults. These things are hard work to maneuver in & hurt your knees.

And ... Ellie had a meltdown because we left w/o her doing this maze. However, Jaxon & Jeffery did it!

Yes, this is a school bus hanging over the side of the roof & Yes - Ellie went all the way to the front. Jamie & I tried to come up with where she gets her fearless spirit from on the way home ... and, we are still clueless!

Cardinals ballgames were also in order! Jamie, Jeffery, Jaxon & Dad (Guys Night) went to the Friday night game that had a 2+ hour rain delay & didn't get back to the hotel until after midnight! Ellie joined them for the Saturday night game. The Girls decided to take advantage of a "chasing-child free" shopping trip. Of course, Tripp joined us, but he is confined to the stroller (which is handy for packages & purses). And...perhaps the funniest adventure in STL was Mom getting us back to the hotel - in the dark - w/ a GPS which totally confuses her & lots of overpasses over overpasses & bodies of water underneath (none of which she doesn't like). We took a small tour of IL & arrived safely back to the hotel. Paige & I were laughing so hard.
We also hit up Charlie Gitto's restaurant & The Cheesecake Factory - yummy!

Can't you see the excitement of catching the baseball game?! She made it to the 6th inning - big accomplishment for her busy body!

According to Jamie - Ellie temporarily seized the camera to take pictures! I must say - not bad for a 4 year old! As least it wasn't the hair-do of the fan in front of her!

It was a great weekend w/ my family! Can't wait to do it again!