Botanical Gardens

 One of my very favorite places in Saint Louis is the Missouri Botanical Garden.  It's free on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the children's garden is awesome, and it's just so beautiful.  Last week was our first time being back this year after a long winter.  It was a great day!

We fed the fish and ducks

It was 80 degrees and the splash pad was on!

The treehouse playground is awesome!!  And...awesome for losing your kid.  We both made it home safely and had a great day!

Things we Love

Growing a baby (18 weeks - a potato!)  I need an updated shot since I'm almost 20 weeks - halfway done!

Our baby boy!

Look at his sweet little profile and leg kicking up!

Imaginary play (doll houses at the science center)

Playing flower girl

Official pregnancy craving: avocados!!!  I am crazy about this wrap and eat it almost every day for lunch: spinach, tomatoes, and avocado with balsamic

This is my happy food!  I've been mostly a vegetarian since January (this little guy isn't letting me handle, cook, or eat much meat) and this build-your-own quinoa salad was DELISH!

We made sidewalk paint and it was super fun

Even more fun to paint yourself purple!

Monkeying around at a friend's outdoor birthday party - we are loving being outside!

look at this cutie!

Excited to know she'll  have a little brother!

Taking my picture

Trip to Tremont

 Sometimes you just need a change of scenery.  Sometimes you miss your family and just want some time with them.  Sometimes a little fresh air on a farm feels so good.  Sometimes your sister is in the Sound of Music and you want to see her on the stage.  Sometimes you have a chance to catch up with an old friend and it's so worth the trip.  Sometimes you need a trip to Tremont!

Driving the tractor with Papa

Sisters!

Also sisters! (not)

Flying kites on the farm

A little bit of sleep (I repeat: a little bit of sleep)

Jumping with her new bestie Natalie

Swinging into a foam pit

Two monkeys!

Papa took us out for ice cream at Pinky's and to the park

So much space to run around (and chase chickens!)

Big girl dance class

All week long she looks forward to her dance class.  She's interested in learning the days of the week so we talk a lot about what happens on Wednesday nights.  It's dance class time!  She got her new dance bag all packed with her tap shoes, ballet slippers, a tutu skirt in case her legs got cold, some cold water, and whatever else she decided to pack.   She looks so grown up carrying her bag into her class by herself!

On the balance beam

Working on tapping - she has a lot of learning to do!

More spring fun

Find Violet!

We brought chalk to the park and it was a big hit.  Here's she's drawing a monkey hanging from a tree in a jungle.  Specifically, his little tiny cute monkey face.  That's exactly how she described it!

Tap Shoes

A new dance class means new tap shoes!  Her new class is a big step because she goes in without us and is learning to be part of a group with no parents in the room.  She also gets a full hour to do gymnastics, tap, and ballet.  It's great and she LOVES it!!