Labor Day Vacay Part 1:

A quick note before we get going. posts may be crazy this week. I’m working some odd hours and getting to play with my new nephew Drake a lot.

Friday I left the office and rushed home to pack the cooler and the last of our gear. Heath and Peanut got home and helped me load it all in the van. Then we picked up Pumpkin and hit the road.

We rushed out of the city and got a good start on the drive. We made it to Columbia before stopping for gas, dinner and a few things from Walmart. A couple hours later we were in St.Louis checking into the hotel. I was a little nervous to see what our $55 room with a kitchen would be like but we were really pleased. It had a queen bed for us and a pull out couch for the kids.

and a little kitchen with some stuff in it.

It felt a little like college as the dishes were all different and the stove top worked but was weird. Otherwise the place was perfect. We settled in and got ready for bed. Pumpkin thought this was a blast and going to sleep was the last thing on her mind. She screwed around and jumped all over Peanut and kept everyone from going to sleep. Eventually we moved her to a floor bed next to us and she eventually calmed down and went to sleep. We didn’t sleep long before the people upstairs started jumping or something. Heath was not having any of that and called the desk on them and they quieted right down and we got to sleep.

We had a lot to do so could not let a rough start to a night slow us down. I got up early and cooked up pancakes and sausage.

We showered and changed and got our stuff packed for a day out and then headed to Peanut’s Farm.

It had been a while since our last trip there.

We parked a 1/4 mile from the park and walked along a trail to get there and avoid the $11 parking fee.

Along the trail we passed a historic site with a ranger badge.

Then we entered into Peanut’s farm and waited in line a bit for the tram thing. It was pretty hot and stuffy in line and we were sweaty. Eventually we hopped on the tram and got going.

just like in 2005.

We cruised through the park with cameras drawn and pointed out all the animals to Pumpkin like the…

The ride lasts about 15 minutes and then dropped us off. An animal show was about to start so we took a seat.

The show had mostly birds but a variety of other animals and everyone was pretty entertained.

After the show the crowds started taking over and it was really getting hot. We headed to the baby goats to feed them. Both the kids really like doing this.

It was pretty hilarious to watch.

and of course we remembered doing it last time too.

After the goats ate we were getting pretty hungry and hot so really started to rush through the rest of the stuff. We saw the elephant and camel and a few other animals and of course had to check out Pumpkin favorite animal of the week or so.

Then we went to Pappy’s favorite stop, the free beer it was bonus free beer day as I had a pregnant wife with me.

We tried to stay in the shade and we all had a little snack and a few drinks to cool off. Then we looked at the horses and stuff and hopped back on the tram and headed back.

Heath and the kids walked to the Peanut National Park thing and got ranger badge stuff and I went and got the car. When I got back Heath and Peanut went in to watch some instructional video and I watched Pumpkin. Pumpkin was crazy running around going nuts. I got Heath and Peanut out and asked to skip the badge and get lunch. They were on board. As I picked up Pumpkin and we headed out her back end exploded. It was serious and I had stuff running down my arm. We barely made it outside and into the grass. We got everything cleaned up and a new diaper on Pumpkin but had no clothes.

We headed toward Schlafly Brewery and picked up some new clothes from the Family Dollar on the way. We relaxed in the AC and waited for our table. Once seated I got a sampler platter.

Heath ordered a salad, Pumpkin mac and cheese and Peanut and I got breakfast stuff. I had eaten at Schlafly before but at another location and the menu there was a lot better then this time. The beer was great and the food pretty good. Near the end of dinner Pumpkin had another mini explosion and I got her cleaned up in the bathroom.

Then we headed back to the hotel for naptime. Naptime did not really work well and Heath was the only one that slept. After naptime we headed to the pool. Just as we opened the door to go out it started pouring rain down. So we went back to the room and looked out the window and the rain stopped so we went back and got in the pool.

The mini rainstorm had blown leaves all over but otherwise it was great. We played a bunch and both the kids had a great time. I don’t think Heath got in at all. Then it started pouring rain again. We headed back to the room and stuck the kids in the tub. While the played I got started on dinner. We had a meal for kids planned of mac and cheese and beans and franks.

It was easy and Heath and I were not that hungry but we ended up working together to eat it all.

We watched a bit of tv and laid down and went to sleep early and everyone had a great night.

In the morning we slept in a little later then we had planned but quickly jumped into action and got cleaned up, changed and packed in no time. We loaded up the van, checked out and headed to the zoo. We had planned to eat cereal but decided to have fruit and poptarts on the way instead. We got to the zoo just before they opened and were able to park on the street for free. We loaded up the stroller and headed in. The first hour of the day a few of the pay things are free so we quickly rushed over to the carousel and went for a ride.

We got our free ride then rushed over to the children’s zoo area and snuck in before they started charging.

Both the kids had a good time exploring and playing around.

We also found more goats and got to brush them.

These ones were bigger an bigger troublemakers. We got to see a few little fights.

After the children’s zoo area it was after the free hour so we started going to things that don’t charge like the penguins.

We had seen them before.

It had been pretty comfortable out but was freezing in the penguins and then afterwords the temp started dropping outside and it was pretty cool the rest of the day.

We worked our way all around the zoo and saw a lot of good animals.

We stopped for snacks/lunch a few times whenever we needed a break.

And we tried to recreate a few more of the old pictures.

We left the zoo and headed to the arch. On our way out we saw lines of cars waiting to pay to park to just get into the zoo. We headed downtown and found a spot on the street. We stuck Pumpkin in the pack and walked a few blocks over to the arch. We got a picture from a stranger just as we entered the park area.

We wondered around and took several pictures.

And recreations.

Then we headed back to the van and started the drive home. Pumpkin was beat and slept most of the way home. Peanut played the DS and Heath and I listened to This American Life. Once home Heath headed to bed, the kids played and I made chicken noodle soup. Heath napped and rested all night and the kids and I took it easy and got to bed early. We had a great trip but needed to get ready for a labor day at Oceans of Fun.