Category — Recreation

Gage went to Science Camp this week, so Shea and I enjoyed some one-on-one time.  Jared was able to join us at MOBOT one of the days.  The weather was perfect with overcast skies and a nice breeze.

“Photography can lead us on a pilgrimage to see the world in a different light. It can become a spiritual discipline as we stop to pay attention, to be patient, to center and to focus our eyes on the world in a new way. Photography is a path to stilling the heart and soul in order to sense the presence of God in the beauty of God’s creation.”  I found this here, and this completely describes why I enjoy taking pictures.

Shea is “flying” over the treetops as an owl.  This tree exhibit in the Interpretive Center at MOBOT is AWESOME!  If you’re in STL, you’ve got to check it out!

We wrapped our week up with a morning date to Forest Park.  We left Shea with Emily, took Gage to Science Camp, and headed over to the Forest Perk Cafe to enjoy cheap ($.79) and really good cinnamon buns and coffee on a breezy patio.  It was so relaxing to sit under the umbrella and talk while watching sweaty runners and cyclists stop off for a break. Then, we made our way over to the Art Museum and enjoyed an iPod tour of the featured exhibit, as well as the Gordon Parks exhibit (awesome, by the way!).

To top the day off, Gage and I dropped Shea and Jared off at home and went to Six Flags for the afternoon/evening.  We had a blast and Gage is a full-fledged roller coaster junkie, for sure.  He takes after his Mama, and this Mama was just glad to realize she can still be a kid from time to time.

I’ve been keeping mental notes lately on all of the things that have been bringing me joy or amusement.  So, I thought I’d share some of them with you all.

~Watching my 8 year old LOVE the buffet at Cici’s Pizza.  This kid has nothing but lean muscle on his bones and he is usually so busy he doesn’t care about eating.  All of that changed when we walked into Cici’s Pizza!

~Twenty-Five cent air hockey game in the Cici’s Pizza arcade.  Why didn’t I discover this sooner?  I’m always so cheap, we don’t even venture toward game rooms.  So, Gage (8yo) was thrilled when I played two whole games with him.

~Bowling with my boys (husband included) at a place called Woody’s.  $1.50/game, and that includes shoes!  And, there is an indoor climbing playground, too, for free.  All of you fellow St. Louisan’s, this is the place to go!  The shoes are like new.  That alone is good enough reason for me.  Warning:  It’s owned by a local church, so you may see way too many hokey Christian t-shirts in one place for a lifetime, but, it’s STILL worth it!

~Jelly shoes in the dollar section at Target!  I put them on and told Gage all about how cool they were when I was little.  What in the world were we all thinking and why in the world are they back?!

~Dropping my 8yo off at a science camp in the morning, spending 3 uninterrupted hours with my 3yo, and then hearing all about my 8 year old’s day on the way home.  I love that he tells me all of the details.  I hear that all boys aren’t like that, so I’m thankful.

~Sitting across from my 3 year old in a quaint little coffee shop as he savors every morsel of the cinnamon bun I treated him to.

~Wandering around a pet store with my family.  This is so entertaining for the kids, and it’s totally free.  Oh, and you may be entertained, as I was, when you discover that they are selling pet joggers.  It’s a jogging stoller for a pet!  This can be yours for $129.99!  And, by the way……………..remember the days when they actually had dogs for sale in a pet store?  I’m glad for dogs that they no longer have to suffer, cooped up in cages like that.  But, it really does make going to a pet store much less entertaining.

~And, last but not least, I am looking so forward to a date with my husband Friday morning.  We will be going out for breakfast and to the St. Louis Art Museum ALL BY OURSELVES!  I have NEVER been to the art museum without my kids, so I am thrilled.

What random things have brought you pleasure this week?

I just discovered a place in South City called St. Louis Bicycle Works and I’m really interested in learning more.  I need a new bike, but can’t afford to spend very much.  They recycle bicycles.  What’s great is the fact that the people fixing the bikes are local kids from the neighborhood.  They attend classes on Saturdays, learn how to fix bikes, and then, earn a bike for completing the classes.  Check out the website.  I’m planning on investigating this some more.  I’ll let you know if I end up with a “new” bike!