Category Archives: attractions

The F Word (no, not that one).

We’ve reached that point in the year where there is no denying that fall is just around the corner and I am doing everything in my power to hold onto summer. I’m avoiding fall because of what it inevitably becomes and I simply can’t think about that right now. Granted, I wish stores would hold off when it comes to putting out Halloween and Thanksgiving items and it is way too early for pumpkin beverages. I refuse to rush through the last days of summer.

So, from here on out we’re going to get good use out of our shorts and short-sleeved shirts and hit up the zoo as many times as we can, the arboretum, and pretty much anyplace that is outside and more enjoyable in sunshine. I even signed up Josh and I for a Grape Stomp at a local winery. I channeled my inner Lucy years ago working very briefly at a chocolate factory, but this should be a bit more fun.

We also want to try and fit in some kind of end-of-summer gathering, but we need to do a little planning and the house needs some organizing before we invite people into our chaos as we’ve moved things around since the last time we had a large group over. One day we’ll finish our various projects and I won’t stare at the basement wondering what on earth needs to be done to make it more functional and the landscaping won’t obnoxiously taunt me every time I pull up.

Oh well, one day at a time. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with too many projects, so I’m trying to work on the ones that feel the most important. They don’t always have the biggest impact, but I’m trying to focus on what will make me feel the most joy. I’m preparing for a major house decluttering, so I suppose Josh and the kids had better get ready too. Like so many others I’m reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up and I’m getting kind of excited (also really nervous) about getting rid of a ton of things and simplifying.

What do all of these random thoughts have to do with zoo pictures? Not much at all. We finally went to see the monk seals a little while ago, and are due back for another visit. I think I’m okay with putting off de-cluttering a little while longer while we make the most of the nice temperatures. Maybe we can give the carousel another whirl since Phoebe really wants to like it, but gets a little freaked out every time.

Instead, they wanted to spend the entire time at the new play area. I mean, who goes to a zoo to see animals? Not these two! Give us all the slides!

4th of July…

It’s only been more than a month, but better late than never, right? The 4^th of July weekend was a busy one for sure, but it was so much fun to introduce the kids to the joy of carnivals and staying up way past their bedtime to watch fireworks. We decided to start things off at A Taste of Minnesota and then to meet up with family later on. Enzo was excited about the rides and wanted to try out several, and Phoebe decided she was okay with a slow moving truck ride. Enzo was really excited about the giant slide (as always) and this one was pretty fast. Phoebe watched them go down and insisted she wanted to go as well, but… she was not a fan. We thought maybe she’d enjoy the pony rides since Enzo did at that age, but once again… not a fan and she immediately wanted off. Oh well. Enzo was also a trooper after he chipped his tooth on one of my least favorite rides. Poor guy was in pain off and on throughout the day.

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Road Trip to Colorado – Part 5: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Homeward Bound

In the blink of an eye it was our last day in Colorado, so we took it kind of slow. The kids got up and ate and played and then we decided to go to the zoo.

As much as I’m always torn when it comes to zoos (I love seeing the animals, but hate seeing them in cages), it’s always a good way to get out, and the Colorado Springs zoo is a really nice zoo. Plus, it was cooler and clouds were coming in, so it was fantastic weather to be outside in. We fed giraffes, the kiddos got to pet a baby wallaby, and my niece Aubrey was the Dr. Dolittle of the group – one of the adult wallabies let her get close enough to pet it and a chipmunk as well (though I didn’t get photos). It’s a great zoo for walking as a work out, though, pack lightly as strollers and wagons can get heavy fast with all the hills.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to home base so Josh could get a nap in before his first shift of driving. We had some sad good-byes, but I see many more road trips in our future, and maybe we can get some visitors out our way as well. *Hint hint* The drive home was longer than the way there. The kids didn’t sleep quite as soundly and both Josh and I were a lot more tired than the first time around. We made a lot more stops on the way back and didn’t get home until late afternoon by which time we were all relieved to get out of the car. Schedules and routines were off for us all, but within a couple of weeks I think things were mostly back to normal. Traveling does indeed get easier as the kids get older! Hooray!

Road Trip to Colorado – Part 3: Northward and Sand Dunes

We got on the road a bit later than my sister and brother-in-law on Monday morning, but still managed to get out the door before 10:00. Josh and the kids got to experience sheep-herding on the road for the first time and we could tell that the kids were a tad tired. Naps had been thrown off as well as bedtimes, but both kids were still holding up fairly well. We made a few more stops than usual and as we got nearer to the halfway point we saw signs for the Great Sand Dunes National Park and remembered what a friend (Thanks, Jeff!) had said. It wasn’t too far out of our way and we would need a place to stop anyway, so off we went!

In retrospect, I really wish we had planned a bit better and made more time to hang out at the park. Because we arrived during the time our kiddos would normally be napping they weren’t super thrilled to get out of the car (it was also in the 90s that day). Once I told Enzo the sand dunes were like a giant sand box, though, he perked up. We didn’t quite realize we’d have to cross a stream, which was thankfully not at all deep, but both kids take a while to warm up to water and had zero desire to dip their toes in. It was the perfect temperature and felt amazing. I was kind of jealous of everyone just hanging out in their swimsuits. We are absolutely camping here the next time we road trip to Colorado!

We also stopped at the visitor’s center on our way out, and though it isn’t big it has a big bathroom, air conditioning, and a great view of the dunes. There was a really big tour group at the time, but they were all extremely nice and thought our kids were adorable, so it was hard not to like them. 😉

Alas, time to get back on the road, let the kiddos take a much needed nap, and arrive back in Colorado Springs at a reasonable hour.

American Swedish Institute

We knew we had to get out when we heard we were going to have some nice weather coming our way, so we figured we might as well do something new. I have a list of supposedly family-friendly places, so for this outing we chose the American Swedish Institute. The website showed at least one kid-friendly exhibit and a place to eat, so we figured, why not?

The ASI is contemporary and modern, while the Turnblad Mansion is historic and stately. Thanks to renovations, all floors of the mansion are easily accessible whether you have a wheelchair or in our case a giant stroller. We were also thrilled to see that there weren’t many people when we arrived.

The main exhibit while we were there was Nobel Creations which featured all kinds of displays all inspired by Nobel Laureates. Admittedly, we were more interested in the mansion itself, but some of the exhibits were intriguing.

It was definitely the ideal setting for two small kiddos. Just a handful of visitors (in the beginning) and we didn’t have to worry about bumping into anything or toddlers getting into too much trouble. They were both fairly agreeable and let us wander around. I may have been a tad obsessed with the fireplaces.

There was also the most beautiful stained glass window.

They also had a table set up featuring the Nobel porcelain, which was as refined as one would expect if they were to attend such a dinner.

There was so much beautiful detailing everywhere, and we realized we had actually missed a few rooms, so we’ll have to go back again. I’ve gotten used to having to visit places multiple times now, though. Kids are just kind of distracting, so we aren’t always able to spend as much time perusing.

The kids started getting squirmy right as we reached the third floor, which was thankfully where the child friendly exhibit was located. We were the only ones there with kids, so we had the run of the place, which was also really nice.

Josh was also able to get some of the wiggles out. Museums tend to make him fidgety. 😉

Alas, after setting munchkins free, they did not wish to be confined again. We let them roam for a bit, but more visitors were arriving and we began to have trouble keeping our young hooligans from getting underfoot.

We decided to finish up our tour and head down to the cafe, where we got several looks from other patrons and our server acted somewhat surprised that we would be staying. Thankfully I had some snacks to keep the kiddos busy, but overall they were really well behaved. Another thing you get used to as a parent, though, is receiving the stink-eye now and then. I’m not going to let other people stop me from introducing our kids to new experiences or keep Josh and I from having a good time. We always try to be good patrons and clean up after our kids and not disturb others, so when the kids did start to get a bit loud, I took them outside to run around while Josh took care of our bill. I do wish we lived in a country where overall children weren’t seen as such a nuisance, though.

Anyhoo, overall it was a fun little excursion and we’re looking forward to more outings this summer. I’m hoping we can hit up some new destinations with our little buddies.

Dino and Bunnies

Every day adventures