City Museum

We had visitors!

My cousin, Paul, and his wife, Ali, were in town for a convention last week. Tuesday night we picked them up from downtown and took them to some of St. Louis' favorite eats and treats, Pappy's and Ted Drewes. Pappy's was as good as I remember and Ted Drewes continues to grow on me. It was so fun to see them and have them in our part of the country. It did make me wonder though where we would have gone out to eat before I became a self-imposed St. Louis tour guide (seriously, sometimes I sound like a St. Louis travel book)?

Then, last weekend, Casey's sister Megan brought her boyfriend Nate to Saint Louis. I love it when Megan comes to visit, but I was also excited to have Nate visit because it meant we got to plan a Saint Louis outing. And it just so happened we got to go do something super fun, that I haven't done, that was on my to do list.

Saturday we went to the City Museum. I have heard good things about the City Museum for years, but I had also heard to wait until my kids were a little older. After I decided my kids were finally old enough, I was told to not take them all by myself. Saturday we had 8 adults and 6 kids so we were set.

The City Museum is like massive piece of art that you climb and slide threw. It is so much fun for the kids and young adults (that includes everyone under the age of 35)! And I think the regular adults (grandparents) had fun watching everyone, too!

I don't think my pictures do the place justice, but I still made every attempt to catch some of the action.

Like I said, there are lots of slides. Went through a hole in the cave area and found this one.

The Cave area also hosts a 10 story slide. We had some brave kids!

The Hamster Wheel was a huge hit!

What better place to run around and do tricks?

Ethan finally laid down in the center for a rest. I don't blame him. This place wore me out. We stopped to watched a small circus performance and my legs ached when I got up.

The outside of this place is amazing. Planes, towers, vehicles all way up in the air.

My boys loved the big ball pit.

Megan, Nate and Hailey were all over the place outside.

I was glad we ended up at the City Museum. It's kinda awesome. It was also worth the $12 a person. I know, so expensive for Saint Louis. However, I have to remind myself that we're just spoiled with free things. However, $12 would be a great deal if were were in Chicago or anywhere else. I do highly recommend it, unless you are overly paranoid or extremely germ conscious. Oh, if you go on a weekend, you can park on the street for free.

Balloon Glow - The Great Forest Park Ballon Race

Friday night we went to the Balloon Glow portion of Saint Louis' Great Forest Park Balloon Race. It is amazing!

I think everyone should go at least once (but if you never choose to go again after that, I wouldn't blame you). The kids loved it and I'm glad we finally went.

I'll give a play-by-play because I had only heard bits and pieces before going. The Balloon Glow starts at 7:00 pm. We arrived at Forest Park at 5:30 pm. Forest Park was already packed (we actually needed to go somewhere by Forest Park one year during the actual race day - you can't even get into Forest Park by the afternoon on race day). We parked a good 30 minute walk away from the field with the balloons.

I read to bring a blanket. We did. People spread blankets out waiting for it to start. You could have a picnic, buy food and souvenirs, or visit booths. People are pretty packed together.

We ate in the car when we got there so we wouldn't have to haul so much stuff. We did get a funnel cake though as a treat. These treats are exactly why I have to go on diet starting tomorrow. I was suppose to start this morning, but I ate some left over cake at 10:30 am. Oh well, I've heard you're not suppose to start diets on Monday anyway.

At 7 pm, all the balloons begin to fill. It's kind of an awe-inspiring moment seeing all these huge balloons fill before you. This is also when everyone who is not in front stands up, so I'm not sure why we all bring blankets to sit on in the first place (probably because we get there so early).

After the balloons fill you can walk among the balloons (pick up and take your blanket with you). Every few minutes a horn will blow and the balloons will light up at the same time. It's beautiful!

The kids will love it!

The night ends with fireworks! My kids were very excited. This was a great experience! However, there are TONS of people, not enough port-a-potties, and for some reason it felt like it was a lot of work.

I-55 Raceway

Casey has been a good sport with all of my Saint Louis ideas. Shakespeare in the Park...not really his thing (though we are going every year from now on). So when he suggested that I-55 Raceway make the bucket list, I agreed. We've planned to go a couple times and it hasn't happened. Saturday of Labor Day weekend it finally worked out and since it was customer appreciation and kid's night, the price was right and the kids had even more fun.

It is pretty cool. The cars go really fast around a dirt track. Warning: You do need ear plugs! And I would recommend goggles or eye protection. 

Ethan was a huge fan!

And spent most of the evening looking like this (he gets really excited about things).

This wasn't necessarily my kinda thing. If someone came to visit that wanted to go, I would be willing to take them. However, if Casey wants to take the kids again, I'll probably enjoy an evening to myself.

My kids would be disappointed though if they went again and it wasn't kids appreciation night. The raceway held a nickel race for all the kids. They got to race for nickels out on the track. Some of nickels were worth prizes, but all the kids got take take home the nickels they collected. My kids each brought home around a dollars worth. It made them very happy!

Soulard Farmers Market

We packed a lot into our Labor Day weekend... Friends, a movie, the park, the boys went hunting, Hailey danced at a football game, and I even have a couple Saint Louis adventures to blog about!

Saturday morning, Nanny and Papa met us at Soulard Farmers Market! I had taken the kids by myself on a Friday before school started, but I wanted the full experience of a Saturday when everything was open. During the week you can do three kids and one adult, but Saturdays require reinforcements. Casey was busy with some things for church, so I was glad Casey's parents wanted to join us.

Soulard Market has a long history in Saint Louis. Starting in 1779, farmers had gathered in what was first a flat meadow to sell produce.

In the 1800's a building was added. Nearly destroyed by a tornado, the original building was replaced in the early 1900's.

We had lots of fun when went over the summer. However, there was one real reason I wanted to return. The best of the fried and delicious food was closed.

I didn't get pictures of the pastries, but they were heavenly. Yes, fresh fruits and vegetables make up a large part of the market,

but I believe in a balanced life.

The Market is open Wednesday through Saturday. On Wednesday through Friday, only some of the spots are open, but Saturday every spot is opened. On Friday there was lots of produce to choose from, meat, spices, the pet store was open, a little bit of jewelry, and some different things here and there. Saturday there was all that plus clothes, live animals (not pet store animals, but chickens and ducks) and lots of people. It's kind of like entering a whole new world.

Here are some of my favorite purchases from our visits, besides the donuts and pastries.  When I was growing up we lived near a cheese factory that we often visited to watch them make the cheese and buy "squeaky" cheese. I don't think the cheese squeaks any more, but I still almost bought another bag this weekend.

This our yellow watermelon purchase. I should have taken a picture when I was cutting it open. It looks like a regular watermelon, but it's yellow inside. It tastes like watermelon too, but a little sweeter.

I also bought sensible items like sweet potatoes and peppers, but they aren't as fun to talk about.

And though my kids don't usually approve of shopping adventures (that don't involve buying toys or stuff only for them), they do approve of any place with a park. And there is a park right next door.

Sweetie Pie's

I went to The Help last weekend. It was excellent! The cast was great, and it also featured some tasty looking food... Minny's fried chicken, and Celia's table of southern-style cooking. If you haven't seen it, go see it. And if you want some soul food, head to Sweetie Pie's at the Mangrove.

The weekend before school started, we headed to the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives featured, and soon to have it's own reality show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Sweetie Pie's with Casey's parents.

Sweetie Pie's is set up cafeteria style. You pick out what you want, pay and then they take your tray to a table for you. If you go with small children, I would suggest just getting adult meals and then sharing with the kids. As you can see from the picture below, Brenton got plenty to eat using that method.

One of Sweetie Pie's specialties is their Macaroni and Cheese. I thought it was great! You can see how they make it here on a Diner, Drive-Ins, and Dives segment.

My kids loved the fried chicken!

The girls decided we needed dessert as well. We had peach cobbler. I don't mind peach cobbler, but it's not usually one of my favorite things. This peach cobbler was so good though, it kinda of made me a fan!

I was glad we went. It was fun, the service was friendly, and the food was good. Casey, however, was disappointed. He had really high expectations for the food (from people at work and all the TV hype) and he did not feel like they were met. Other than that, Sue said the cabbage was really good, Hailey liked the green beans, and I'm serious when I say they are taping for a reality show...here's one of the camera men.