Vaca in Omaha

This summer Bailey and I decided to take some weekend trips a little closer to home for our summer vacation(s).  I have wanted to take her back to the Omaha Zoo for a couple years now since she was only 1 year old when we went the last time in 2003 and she slept most of the time.  Our trip back did not disappoint us (despite trying to find the monkey house for an hour, only to find out that it had to be closed and the monkies reassigned to another area of the zoo because they were being naughty).  Since we did not get to some of the exhibits, the Omaha Zoo has to go on our 2011 summer schedule so we can go back and revisit the penguins, walk through the rainforest again and check out the Madagascar exhibit.  Maybe I'll get her to ride the Skyfari next time too.  We also went to the Omaha Children's Museum and had a lot of fun in their science exhibit area.  We've been to a number of children's museums throughout the years, but this time was the first time we did not spend the entire day at the exhibits.  Could this be a sign my child is growing up?  I'm afraid so.  In a couple of weeks we are planning another weekend trip down to Saint Louis with lots of fun in store as well.

1st stop: Penguins in Scott Aquarium--We spent almost an hour watching the penguins, but easily could have spent the entire day there.

Bailey spent about 45 minutes watching the penguins swim underwater and getting nose to nose with them.

See the shark in the background

Bailey with her new friend, Omaha

I usually don't want just animals in my pictures so I ask Bailey to pose with the animals in the background.  She's a good sport about this and plays along with me on this simple request when we visit zoos.

Yes, Bailey has blue lips.  No, it was not cold in the rainforest.  We had stopped for an ice cream treat prior to going to Lied Rainforest.

Omaha Children's Museum

This was a pretty amazing set up where kids could load plastic balls into different areas of the contraption.  They collected in the ball drop area and then a siren went off and the balls fell out.

And they all fall down.

Last stop before heading home.

Science Center of Iowa

On June 18th, Bailey and I were Adventureland-bound.  However sirens about 10 miles from Altoona alerted us to a high wind advisory of 70 mph winds which caused us to detour at a Kum n Go station.  After checking the weather forecast for the rest of the day, showers throughout the day did not seem like an enjoyable time at the amusement park.  Instead we spent the day inside with Hope and Graham at the Science Center of Iowa in downtown Des Moines.  I had wanted to visit this at some point in our travels to Des Moines so this worked out great.  We will return again to check out the exhibits we didn't have time to play at and also play at some of our favorite stations.

Fun with air and a beach ball

The weather forecast station had a green screen with green pieces of fabric for the kids to have fun with.  Bailey's dramatic flair definitely came out as she reported the weather forecast.  WHO-TV does broadcast the weather from this location occasionally, but that day they did not.

We scored 2/5 (slightly cracked) on the gigantic egg drop both times we attempted to create a protective case.

We created a paper rocket and then blasted it off to see how far it would go.  (I had to put my Physics knowledge from back in high school to work on this one).

Huge vats of soap and water provided fun with bubbles

Fun With The Seegers Cousins

A couple weeks ago we made a stop at Heath and Amy's house on our way up to Maynard.  The kids had fun riding bikes (Lauren and Alli can now ride without training wheels).  We'll be spending more time with the Seegers cousins this weekend to celebrate Austin's 3rd birthday.

Austin finds a centipede to torment in the torn up driveway

Here comes Lauren

Here comes Bailey

Here comes Alli

Here comes Austin

Miss Kate at 4 weeks old

2nd Grade Highlights

Today marks Bailey's last day of 2nd grade.  It's been another great year!  Here are some of the school highlights throughout the past 9 months.

1st Day of 2nd Grade

Last Day of 2nd Grade

Mount Pleasant Art Show

More artwork

Ready for the music program

Field Day

Summertime Fun

In between rain showers this summer, we've been trying to spend some time outdoors.  Memorial Day Weekend we headed up to Maynard and spent time camping at Goulsburg Park with Mom and Dad.  The weather was so beautiful that we spent little time inside the new camper other than to sleep. We enjoyed lots of great food throughout the weekend, prepared by Chef Gary on his homemade cooking tri-pod.  Memorial Day Monday marked the day Mount Pleasant's swimming pool opened so Bailey enjoyed meeting up with her friends while I was able to get some more of my novel read.  Last week we headed over to the school playground so Bailey could show me her new moves on the monkey bars.  We're looking forward to more fun that's in store throughout the summer.

Bailey with Grandpa and Grandma Seegers by the camper

Ready for the first swim of the season

The Little Monkey

An Evening at Magic Kingdom--Year 2

Last night was a great night for a walk.  Throw in some Disney characters along the way and it's that much more enjoyable.  For the 2nd year, Bailey and I went to A Night At Magic Kingdom, a program organized by Healthy Henry County Communities and Mount Pleasant Parks and Rec held on the walking trails of East Lake Park.  This year a program was provided for each child to get character signatures and add a picture to remember the evening with Disney.  Someday we hope to get to the real Disney World or Disneyland, but in the meantime we enjoy seeing the characters in our own backyard.

This girl is the perfect Cruella.  She plays up her character well.