St. Louis

We went to St. Louis last weekend for a short vacation. We attended Alana's adoption agency's annual picnic Saturday morning. Unfortunately, no one from our travel group made the trip nor anyone that we know from Kansas City, so we really didn't know anyone there. It was still fun to see so many families formed through adoption and our kids had a great time with balloon animals, crafts, music, and beach balls! Afterwards we went to the St. Louis Science Center where they had to kick us out at closing. Victor is a museum junkie, so that was to be expected.

On Sunday and Monday we went to Six Flags. Collin and Victor got their roller coaster fix while I hung around with Dylan and Alana in Bugs Bunny Land. There were a few rides we could ride together as a family, but mostly we had to split up. Alana was tall enough to ride three roller coasters, but she really only liked one of them. She is not as adventurous as Collin was at the same age. Dylan is the least adventurous of all of our kids. Poor guy rode a seemingly innocent kiddie teacups ride at Six Flags, but was put in a teacup with a boy of about 4 or 5. When the ride started he loved the spinning, but the little boy starting spinning the teacup really fast and Dylan's neck was flopping all over and he hit his head a couple of times. I had to yell at the lady who was operating the ride (interrupting her conversation with another employee -- she wasn't watching at all) to get her to stop the ride. Dylan clapped when it was over -- he was just so happy to get off. The next day he rode other rides, but refused to step foot on the teacups -- even with Collin and Alana riding with him. I don't blame the poor little guy! That is why we are such Disney fanatics. We can ride almost all of the rides as a family and stuff like this doesn't happen.

We also went to the water park at Six Flags on Monday afternoon. Collin and Victor hit the water slides while I stayed in the kiddie area with Alana and Dylan (sound familiar?). Alana and Dylan were up to their typical park behavior. Alana finds a girl about twice her age and holds her hand and drags her around the park. I think she finds older girls because they humor her. I don't think girls her own age want to be bossed around so much. (Kindergarten is going to be interesting!) Dylan doesn't play with any kids, but walks around the perimeter to see what he can get into. He talks to the adults and older kids and plays with their sunglasses, goggles, strings on their swimsuits, etc. They had a lot of fun though. The drive to and from wasn't bad at all either. The kids are old enough to handle road trips so much more smoothly these days. Between the gameboys, DVD player and constant snacks, we make it to our destination without any crying or screaming. How wonderful!