Harvest Fest

We had the best fall day yesterday.  We decided to check out the Harvest Fest at Laumeier Sculpture Park.  None of us had ever been before, but it was a gorgeous day and it looked like fun.  So glad we went!   They had music, farmer's market booths, and tons of delicious good fall food and drinks.  

The kids were immediately enamored with the place when the first two sculptures they found were a maze (fun for literally minutes!) and this sparkly kitty cat.  Just look at the excitement on Colin's face.

And if a giant sparkly cat wasn't enough, we continued to explore and found this exceedingly creepy giant eyeball.  Which was, of course, Colin's favorite. 

Charlotte preferred the "big red" sculpture ("for the Cardinals!" she said.  I'm not telling her.)

Despite signs everywhere about "no climbing on exhibits", no one there seemed to be paying attention so I could hardly drag my kids off the exhibits...

Remember when he used to be scared of doing things like this?  :(

I'm sure this is not what the artist intended. 

Ok, this one is just asking for it.

(these are early pics.. it got quite crowded later and I assure you there were tons of kids climbing on things, not just mine...)

Charlotte played peek-a-boo inside the tire...

They were both very interested in this "tall man" for some reason.

Charlotte called him "snow man" and wanted to give his leg a hug.

Aunt Zoe and Guiness joined us too!  

To say these kids like this dog would be an understatement. 

 This event was great because there was so much space.  All the food and drink vendors were in one area, a stage with live music nearby, and yet there was still so much open park space for the kids and dogs to play.   Here the kids are confusing Guiness with two balls.

"I want that cracker.  So bad." 

Selfie time

we should bring a third adult and dog along with us everywhere.  Look, we are sitting, together, for 30 whole seconds!

 Some of those are my kids inside this creepy face.

What a great day!  Not pictured but playing an important supporting role:  pumpkin whoopee pies, pumpkin beer, veggie chili and dogs, belgian fries.

touch a truck!

One of the kids' favorite activities every year in Indiana was the Hands on Trucks event.  As usual, there was a similar but SO MUCH BETTER event in E'ville this weekend at Touch a Truck at Township park.  Rather than sweltering on a paved parking lot in August, we enjoyed a beautiful fall day walking around the park.  And as usual, the kids had a great time.  Kids love trucks!

I asked charlotte what she wanted to see first and she didn't hesitate - the PINK TRUCK!!

Then we boarded the school bus.  Colin didn't bother with this one, he "already rides the bus."  Big man on campus. 

They both enjoyed swinging off of this tow truck :)

Colin got to climb in the cab of a few big rigs...

including this garbage truck that was literally the one that used to come to our rental house as we "know" the driver.  Edwardsville.

And then Charlotte tried to steal a fire truck.

marine fun

Why wouldn’t you want to spend a Saturday in beautiful Marine? 

Well, the kids certainly enjoyed themselves.  We stopped by a little hot air balloon festival, which did not actually feature any hot air ballons, but where the highlight was this medevac helicopter.  Colin attempted to take off, while the (not so friendly actually) medic instructed him “don’t push any buttons”.  

But, I mean, what do you expect when you let a bunch of kids climb around in your helicopter like a jungle gym?

Charlotte was a little too thrilled at the thought of flying...

Then this random dude was giving rides in this plane behind his tractor...

again, my little daredevil was more excited about it than big brother...

 Then since we were already out there, we stopped by the apple farm Mommy grew up going to.  Surprise, they still have the same playhouse to climb in...

and freakishly large rabbits...

and friendly farm dogs and a fun tractor ride out to the orchard..

and all the delicious apples these two could eat :)

forest park balloon race

The forest park balloon race is one of my favorite things about St. Louis and I've been looking forward to September since we moved back last year!  Luckily the weather worked out absolutely perfectly and we had a beautiful afternoon and evening on Art Hill watching the balloons go by!

Colin was thrilled to run all over the hill, play frisbee, and do whatever it is he's doing here...

We had a lovely picnic dinner.

and laid back and relaxed to enjoy the day

even when there were no balloons, not a bad view

Oh and on our way out colin even got to climb to the top of the waterfall across from where we had our wedding reception, which was deemed the "coolest" part of the whole day :)

can't wait for next year! 

picnic party

We had the most beautiful September day yesterday.  After a bike ride and play time at the park, we weren't ready to head inside just yet.  So we headed over to SIUE to the gardens and had a lovely picnic.  What a great spot! 

Look how happy these two were!

And neither one could wait to go run down to the bridge to feed the (gigantic) turtles and fish the rest of their bread...

Happy little picknickers!