Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

I like history. I don't always remember much of it, but I enjoy it. That's why I was surprised when I realized I had never been to the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. Grant was the 18th president of the United States and a instumental in the North winning the Civil War.

Brenton was doing a baseball camp this week near the Historic Site, so Hailey, Ethan and I headed to the Historic Site for a morning. I figured Hailey would be up for the trip. She loves museums, even museums I don't love (which means most kids wouldn't either).  And she remembers what she learns. A couple weeks ago she started a conversation with her young cousins with, "Have you heard the story about the 16 year old girl who was pregnant?" (AAHHHH!) "Her name was Sacajawea." Thank you Lewis and Clark Expansion Museum. Luckily, when she filled in Brenton about our trip to the Grant Historic Site it didn't include any awkward details.

The Site is rather small, but peaceful. We watched a movie, toured the White Heaven House, and checked out the small museum in the stable Grant had built.

This is White Heaven. It was the actually the home of his wife's, Julia Dent, family. Interestingly, Julia's father owned slaves who worked this property and considered himself a true southern gentlemen. Now that would be some in-law tension. The Grant's courted here, lived here off and on, and later bought the property.

The Museum in the stable includes this buggy.

The museum also had dress ups from different countries in honor of the Grant's 2-year tour around the world after his presidency.

Hailey's favorite part was becoming a Jr. Park Ranger (Yes, the site is part of the National Park Service). She completed activities in a booklet while we toured the site. She enjoyed the whole thing and is convinced Brenton would have loved it too. Ethan, well, I'm not sure he'll let me take him back.

Bass Pro Shop (St. Charles)

It really amazes me that sporting goods stores are tourist attractions. Then again, I'd go some place to visit IKEA. My husband tells me (I'm not going to look it up to verify) that the world headquarters Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, MO is the most visited attraction in the State of Missouri.  Well, we didn't go to Springfield (though my husband said this is on his bucket list and should be on mine), but we were in Saint Charles on Saturday and decided to head over to Bass Pro Shop for their Family Summer Camp.

I didn't take any of my own pictures, but these have been a big hit at my house.

The kids also made leather key chains, received prizes for casting into fish buckets, and Brenton listened to an archery workshop. This free event runs through July 10, but I've noticed that Bass Pro Shop tries to do similar family events throughout the year. And if this outdoor sporting goods store excitement isn't enough, we also have a Cabelas in St. Louis.

Fitz's American Grill & Bottling Works on The Loop

Aunt Megan's in town! And what a better way to celebrate than by crossing something off the bucket list while sipping St. Louis made root beer through a straw out of a "bottomless" frosted mug.

Friday we headed to Fitz's American Grill & Bottling Works on The Delmar Loop for lunch and root beer. Having lunch with Aunt Megan and Dad should have been a selling point enough for my kids, but when you're not going to McDonald's you sometimes have to sell them on the restaurant as well. Root beer did it!

Though the kids were most looking forward to Fitz's because they were promised root beer to drink with lunch, I was most looking forward to the bottling line. Their bottling line is in the restaurant so you can watch the whole root beer bottling process from start to finish.

It gave the kids something to do while waiting for lunch, during lunch and after lunch.

Besides root beer (which was really good) we enjoyed burgers

and smiley fries.

Then we topped everything off with a root beer float! Free, thanks to a coupon from here.

Though we enjoyed a fun lunch, the weather put a damper (literally) on the rest of our plans to explore The Delmar Loop. The Loop has been named "One of the 10 Great Streets in America" by the American Planning Association. The Loop is home to boutiques, restaurants, entertainment and more. Though it isn't necessarily geared towards families, it did have a couple things I wanted to check out with the kids.

The Loop got it's name years ago from streetcars turning around (or looping) back to the city. Being the nice  mother that I am, I made the kids get their picture taken by the trolley display in the rain. Another shout out to Meet Me In St. Louis, good thing you can't hear me singing the trolley song.

The Loop also hosts a St. Louis Walk of Fame.  It features such stars as Cedric the Entertainer, Robert Duvall, Kevin Kline, The Rockettes, Bob Costas, Ulysses S. Grant, Charles Lindbergh, Dred & Harriet Scott,  Miles Davis, Nelly, Ike and Tina Turner, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and many more. Since it was raining, we only checked out a couple of the stars.

 I must live with baseball fans because I knew all about the next two stars.

But since most of our exploring was going like this...Ethan wanting to be held and out of the rain. I think we'll have to give The Loop a try on a sunny day.

Even with the rain, our adventure was a sucess. In the words of Brenton, "I got to have TWO Root beers!"

The Magic House - St. Louis Children's Museum

We had a birthday at our house this week and the birthday kid wanted to celebrate with a trip to The Magic House. I went to The Magic House for the first time almost seven years ago after reading about it in a national parenting magazine. Zagat has rated it the top national family attraction in "child appeal." My kids love it, so it probably is deserving of all the praise. It's a little pricey, but they offer memberships, family free nights, and coupons, so I won't complain.

Here's just a looks at a few of the many things we did during our visit.

The Magic House has a special area for 1-6 year olds. I think it will always be my favorite part, even after my kids have all outgrown it. It has water tables, a sand area, huge Legos, slides, a mirror maze area and so much more.

My kids love the Construction area. We were there forever. I had to finally drag them out of there.

I also had to drag them away from any area with a microphone. (Ethan does like to put bad guys away and he did do a pretty good job as a judge).

So much to do...like climb giant beanstalks...

And enclose ourselves in a huge bubbles.

Brenton said he had lots of favorite things he did at The Magic House. Ethan said his favorite part was fishing. What?! He goes real fishing regularly. He must be related to his father.

Hailey's favorite part was playing nurse/doctor to the baby's in the Children's Village Children's Hospital.

I think this house does have a little bit of Magic in it!

Saint Louis Zoo

Saint Louis has the best zoo! It's amazing and it's free! Monday, we headed there with our STL cousins.

This is not a great picture, but I had to take it (and include it). I felt like it was years before I ever saw the Rhinoceros. Then for the next few years, only in a small corner of his area walking between two rocks. Until today,  here he is.... right out in the open.

Always love the elephants! Rumor has it, there is a baby due any day. They have had two elephants born since I've lived in Saint Louis. They are so cute! And it's a pretty big deal. It makes the news, there are long lines to view the new baby elephant, and the public gets to vote on the name.

And just cause they are so cute...
Though these two often have  T-R-O-U-B-L-E written all over them.

Usually the penguins are everyone's favorite place to visit during the summer because it's cool in there and so hot outside. Fortunately, we enjoyed a cloudy, cool day at the zoo.

And sometimes, my kids wish I would stop taking pictures of them.

This time we took a train ride around the zoo. This is one of the few things that costs money, but Aunt Bonnie treated us all since she's a member. Thanks Aunt Bonnie!

The kids favorite part of the whole trip was going in the dark tunnels under the zoo during the train ride. Which makes me wonder, what else is under the zoo?

Shakespeare Festival

For years I've seen evidence of the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis in Forest Park during trips to the zoo, but have never taken the time to learn more. This year I did some research and decided it would make our summer bucket list. It was definitely bucket list worthy! In fact, I think I'll do this every year (and I don't even like Shakespeare).

Wednesday afternoon we made a last minute decision that tonight was the night to see Shakespeare in Forest Park. We grabbed some food and blankets and headed to The Taming of the Shrew.

The play started at 8 pm, but the preshow (or the The Green Show, as they call it) entertainment started at 6:30 pm. The kids loved all the things going on. We didn't even sit on our blanket from 6:30 until the play started. We watched "Shrew In  A Few" a twenty-minute play summarizing the story. Then the kids colored some crafts.

We watched a performance by Juggling Jeff. He was great! The kids loved him (and I kinda love the back of Ethan's head with those curls).

 It's hard to beat juggling with knives and fire.

Then we sat back and enjoyed the show.

Some notes if you're going for the first time:

The 2011 Season runs through June 19th.

Arrive early - We got there just after 6 pm, but it probably would have been better if we would have been just a little earlier. There is plenty to do, especially if you bring a picnic.

Bring blankets or bring chairs- The front is reserved for blankets only. There is lots of space for lawn chairs (or you can pay for seats), but it is further back. 

Oh, and it's FREE!

Living in Cardinal Nation

St. Louisians love baseball! I'm a transplant. For a long time, I did not understand it. But over the years, I've decided its hard to walk into a Cardinal baseball game and not become converted. I visit Busch Stadium and suddenly feel this camaraderie with the thousands of other Cardinal Fans who love their team whether they are winning or losing or playing in ridiciously hot temperatures.

A Cardinal's game was on our bucket list not because we've never been, but because the kids look forward to it so much and we usually only get to go once a year. Friday, Casey scored the corporate tickets from work (I guess all the important people were on vacation) to a game in the classic Cardinal/Cubs rivalry. The kids loved getting to be a little closer to the action.

 Hailey with Albert Pujols (Daddy's favorite) batting behind her.

 Brenton with Yadier Molina (mommy's favorite) batting behind him.

I was so excited for the opportunity for the kids to get their picture taken with Fred Bird. The boys, however, were upset with me when I suggested we go take a walk during the game. They actually wanted to watch the game (Silly boys!).

Ethan took the baseball game very seriously. He was so excited and intense the whole game. He also was the best cheerer (No one says Yadier Molina quit like Ethan) and the best trash talker ("Nice Out Cubs")

 And the Cardinals won, 6-1!