Crafts + Pinnacles + Earth Day

Hannah and I continue to explore new parks during the day. I must commend Missouri on their creative reuse of old tractor tires!

This slide was really steep, but it didn't stop her from going face first!

 We have amazing family who have sent the kids packages with activities to keep them busy while we're in this apartment! The first one that arrived from Uncle Sam, Aunt Kristy, and cousin Josh had a treasure trove of beads, a super sweet Lego set, and a bottle of ewy gooey homemade slime.

 They were intrigued by the slime and thought it was both disgusting and the best thing ever. Zane had fun seeing which of his toys sank the fastest.

 Brother touched her with the slime!

Oh wait, she's ok.

 One day there was a big mud puddle near the bus stop but I wouldn't let Hannah stomp in it in her regular shoes. The next day she wore her boots for the sole purpose of stomping in the puddle. And then she had fun scraping the mud off with little sticks until the bus came.

 The second package arrived with new crafts a few days later from Aunt Carolyn! Zane really enjoys making his sport themes bracelets and Hannah and I work together on the mandalas.

Zane had his first ever school concert this weekend. He did a great job and really liked being up on the stage and risers. He is excited because when he gets to 4th grade he'll be able to play the drums! We went out afterwards to celebrate with some Shirley Temples.

 First natural tooth loss!! It'd been wiggly for a while but didn't seem like it was going to come out anytime soon, then all of a sudden he yanked it out on Sunday morning! He was very excited! He's got 3 more loose...guess we'd better stock up on applesauce.

After the tooth loss, Mason and the kids went to explore The Pinnacles State Park while Mama stayed behind to do absolutely nothing. They got to climb on rocks, explore caves, and build a dam.

 After a change of clothes (because dam building), lunch, and a nap for Ms. H, it was my turn for some kiddo time. We went down to campus to to the Earth Day festival and had a blast!

 Zane tried the stilts.

 They both caught some crawdads, but after deeming them "creepy" Zane went back to the stilts.

 Hannah, however, worked her way around the little pool and had as many as 3 in her net at one time.

 After bouncy houses, crafts, and a few games, it was time for some Shave Ice and shade.

Schools + Baseball + Twin Lakes

Hannah is all signed up to start preschool in the fall. She and I looked at a few and both agreed that Countryside Nursery School was the best fit. She loves the inside, but the playground is pretty cool too!

 Zane's baseball practices have started. He's doing coach pitch this year and is liking it thus far. The first game isn't for awhile, but he's got 2 practices per week to help alleviate the excess energy.

 Hannah and I continue to familiarize ourselves with the town during the day. Hy-Vee is her new favorite place because it has little green shopping carts.

 The Columbia library is awesome!

Sometimes we go to the lobby in the apartment complex to terrorize everyone...and play pool.

Zane's school is amazing! We love it so much that we've asked if he can stay there when we move (we found a house that we LOVE and we close on it on May 9th!!). He was the "turtle" this past week. Not sure why they call it that, but it means he was the star student and had something special each day. Monday was the "About Me" poster. It says:

Zane, age 6

Fav. color: red

Fav. food: Evre Flavdr Bense (every flavor beans)

Fav. animal: owl

If I had one wish I would...goe to diugon ale (go to Diagon Alley (from Harry Potter))

When I grow up I want to be...an inenvetr (inventor)

Fav. place to visit: Gama and Gapus howse (Grandma and Grandpa's house)

Plus all sorts of other visual awesomeness.

He drew this owl at school.

On Thursday Hannah and I got to join him for lunch and recess as part of his special week. 

He started taking the bus on the second day of school. I had planned on driving him, but he was adamant about the bus and he's been doing it since. It picks up and drops off very near our apartment building.

Hannah looks forward to picking him up and dropping him off because there is a very nice older girl who wears lots of hair bows and always indulges Hannah in conversation. 

 Most of the time we sit on this rock to wait for him.

 We discovered Twin Lakes Recreation Area and I can see it being a family favorite. There's a lake (most likely two...obviously), bike trails, playground, shelters, and much more that we didn't see. "Mama these are flowers for our wedding because I want to marry you!" My sweet girl!

 Hannah threw a rock in the water and we were surprised to see lots of little froggies hopping out of the way.

Exploring Columbia

It's been a challenge to get these guys opportunities to expel energy since we don't have a yard and running and yelling in our apartment is frowned upon, both by Mason and I and our neighbors I'm sure. There is an exercise room that we have free access too...so we did that one night!

 Before our other car arrived, the kids and I went in search of a playground on foot. We didn't find one, but we did find Hinkson Trail! There was a large open space, a neat bridge that I somehow failed to take photos of, and a winding river.

 We practiced skipping rocks and had fun looking for "sea glass." There was a surprising amount of smooth glass on the banks of the river - an odd benefit to living in a college town - and the kids collected it.

 Eating lunch on the porch.

 After our car arrived we were able to really search for a playground! We found Cosmo Park, which is on the opposite side of town as us, but is still only 15 minutes away :)

 There's a boy in the tunnel.

 The fairy house they made out of found objects.

 Thunderstorm! The kids were excited. It was a nice, mellow one to get them ready for the big ones that are sure to come. Here's Zane looking for lightening.

 More Cosmo Park fun. They ask to go every day and we had time since Zane got another spring break since MOs was the week after OR.

 We attempted to go out to dinner at Flat Branch, a great restaurant I remember, but it was closed for spring break. We walked a few blocks and ended up at Booche's, which is another place I hold fondly in my heart (and stomach). Booche's has about 5 things on their menu, hasn't changed anything since opening in the 1800's (other than adding a women's restroom since it's used to be "men only"), and doesn't give you plates to eat on...just little squares of wax paper. Everyone was happy and full!

 Today was a big day for Z. First day at his new school, Robert E. Lee Elementary. Lee Elementary for short. Hannah and I drove him there, walked in, and hung out until he was comfortable and then said good bye. He came out this afternoon with a big smile and is super excited to ride the bus tomorrow! Mama might be a little nervous about it, but he's not! We had after school sorbet to celebrate such a wonderful first day.