Nicholas Bear

It's no shocker that Nicholas loves pink, and that when confronted with a choice of Care Bears, he'll choose pink every time. We went to the Magic House (the Children's Museum) Kids Flea Market today and this is the one thing that Nicholas wanted to take home. When I was checking out the tag to see if it had a name, he informed me that we should make up one ourselves. When I asked what he'd like to call the bear, he said "Nicholas. Like me!" One difference... Nicholas Bear is apparently a girl. Go figure.

Rocket Park

We have rediscovered a park that is a few miles away. The main feature is a huge rocket ship play structure. The whole thing is that soft squishy surface, perfect for playing and riding a bike. Once Nicholas realized he wouldn't get hurt if he fell, he wanted to ride and ride and ride.

Brentwood Days 2008

There are some definite advantages to living in a small community like Brentwood. One of the biggest is our annual Brentwood Days. We first have an old-fashioned parade with decorated cars, the high school band, the fire trucks, the brownie troop...you get the picture. They throw candy galore and Mardi Gras beads. It's a really fun time for the kids. The parade route runs 3 blocks from our house so we can walk. It was Nicholas' third Brentwood Days and Charlotte's first. Charlotte (the waving fool) had a blast. No one could enjoy standing and waving for 20 minutes more than she. I didn't get a photo to capture her glee...but it was apparent!

Is it coming? Is it coming?

Charlotte LOVES balloons and assumed these were all for her. She was sadly (and quite loudly) disappointed.

I do believe this was a new entry this year. Nicholas loves trolleys.

The orange tractor was a big crowd pleaser

The Brentwood Eagles!

This is only a small fraction of the beads that we collected
Emergency vehicles are always a hit with Nicholas

After the parade and naps, we headed over to the baseball fields, which had been transformed into a huge carnival. There were food booths, craft booths, a huge stage where "Buddy Holly" and "Elvis" performed, and tons of carnival rides. The amazing thing is that the rides are all free. The tab is totally covered by the city. (Yes, I know it's my tax dollars...but I love it!) We had an awesome afternoon. It's nice to be able to walk around and see friends and enjoy being outside.

Nicholas went once on the giant slide with Tom, once with me, and once with our whole family! (How did Tom convince me to take Charlotte on this??)

The most tame of the rides.

This was on the train ride (pulled by a tractor around one of the baseball fields)

Please note that Nicholas was the only one facing BACKWARDS. It was the only one left, and he didn't seem to mind!

Nicholas' first ever ferris wheel ride

The last ride of the day with a friend from the neighborhood, Mary Lewis.

After dinner and a fabulous funnel cake (a once a year Brentwood Days indulgence) we headed home. But no, no. That wasn't the end! Nicholas and Tom headed out for fireworks at 8:30. Last year we had to watch from the car, since he's not a fan of the loud "booms". But I was told that this year "It wasn't that bad, Mama!" and they watched outside. It was a late, late night for our little man!

Such a fun day. If we leave St Louis, this will certainly be something that we will miss!

Ahoy Thar' Matey!

Did you know that today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! Who knew? Apparently Nicholas!

Fun with Aunt Susan

Thanks to Uncle Russ having a meeting in St Louis and the ridiculous airfare prices between here and Des Moines, we got to have a day with our Aunt Susan! Nicholas wanted to show her the zoo (we have 5 baby tiger cubs), take her to Trader Joe's (a favorite of Nicholas' and somewhere Susan had never been since TJs hasn't made the push into Iowa yet), and play many, many, many rounds of Zingo (a bingo-like game he got for his birthday). She was such a sport and we had a great time together. It was hard to say goodbye!

We found this little gem at a resale shop Charlotte and I were killing time in while waiting to pick up Nicholas. It was a big hit...for both kids!

More Football, Less Success

We've never been much into professional football. Really the only professional level sport we keep track of is baseball. The St Louis Rams haven't made it any easier to adopt the hometown team. But when a carrier gives you great seats for an afternoon game, who turns them down?

Proud ticket holder

Did I mention it was free hat day?

She's trying....she's trying...

Got it!

We won't be buying tickets any time soon, but it was a great afternoon of practically free entertainment for the boys.

I must share that Charlotte and I were snuggling and snoozing on the comfy family room chair when the boys came home. She was laying on her blanket and had gotten SO SWEATY. Tom had a little fun with her hair.