Dia De los Madres

Well mother's day usually comes and goes peacefully. A quick phone call, a card in the mail and a little gratitude goes a long way. This year was a little different. My parents made the long drive down from Chicago to Saint Louis to spend the weekend with my love, my husband and I. It had an added bonus of my two little nieces coming along.

The weekend started when my crazy work week ended early on Friday morning. I got home and cleaned like a mad lady to get the loft presentation ready for my parents arriving just a short time from then! Andy arrived home from his weekly hockey fun and was surprised at how quickly the apartment cleaned up. We turned in for the night and woke to the peaceful realization that we now have five days off together!!! What a feeling that was. My parents arrived and I was greeted by hugs and kisses! So nice to finally see them!
That evening we took a walk around the neighborhood and treated the girlies to feeding the ducks at the pond in Lafayette Park. What a fun thing to see!

I will admit that this swan was a little snippy and bit at Andy's feet...

The next morning started with a fun little jaunt through the Tower Grove farmers market. Tower Grove park is amazing! Sprawling and beautiful with tons of places for picnics, playing catch, or just enjoying being outside...the park is family and dog friendly! A lovely doc that I worked with recommended that we go here for a couple reasons...One, it is free. Two, they open a fountain up for the kids to play in the water. A very fun and exciting little adventure for the girls. My parents walked around the farmers market while Andy and I enjoyed playing in the water with the girls and the other kiddos.

Playing in the tower Grove Fountain.

Renee is normally afraid of the water and she doesn't like her clothes to be wet. It took just a few minutes of seeing all the other kiddos playing before she started to dunk her head and soak herself in the jets. Koryn loved stepping on the jets and giggling as the water went "bye bye." Both girls also really enjoyed seeing all the puppies and the doggies walking around the park! Also, a huge step for Renee who as a dis-taste for dogs.

After the park we headed to a tasty lunch at PW pizza. If you live in the STL area, you should check this little place out! ANYWAY...we took a driving tour on a lovely day through areas of STL and ended up at the arch...Somewhere that my dad really wanted to see. 

I think he was glad that it was the last thing of the day! The girls loved going up high in the "rainbow" and were happy to be outside. The arch is VERY claustrophobic! Shoved into a little bubble that seems as though it is made for "umpa-loompahs" you take the 4 minute ride to the top where you are crammed like sardines into a small walkway...An experience, not one I would repeat. My family enjoyed it and that was the point.

Koryn was happy to be smiling as long as I gave up my sun-glasses. I thought it was a perfect fit for her to be all "sassy." After the long and fun day we all turned in for a well deserved nights rest.

Mother's Day ended up being delightful. We spoiled my mom with a nice gift ( a new camera) to enjoy her grand-kids a little more and a visit with us! I made a tasty brunch of Banana Bread French toast, fresh fruits and french press coffee (made by my husband, my love.)

Andy and I had a blast with the girlies and my parents. It was fun and light-hearted all weekend. Plus, it gave us a a couple new places to check out on our days off in the area we live....I really like STL.