St. Louis

We spent the weekend with family in St. Louis.  JA had qualified for a market research study, so we decided to spend the whole weekend just hanging out enjoying the city.  We went to the zoo and saw a bunch of animals we had missed on previous visits.  We also went to Grant's Farm and enjoyed the afternoon there before heading back home Sunday afternoon.

In other topics, JT is 4 1/2.  I had forgotten how bothersome 4 is to me.  I actually really enjoy two year olds, unlike many people, and have recently discovered that 6 1/2 is a joy, but 4 is such a difficult age for me.  JT wants to be either completely independent or be babied.  Rules abound everywhere (if something occurs once, he makes it into a rule.)  But, the most bothersome thing at the moment, is his need to talk at all times, interrupting everyone, and starting over mid sentence to repeat himself, sometimes 3 or 4 times, until he's convinced you are giving him your full, undivided attention.  I do love him, no different than when he was 3, but he is making things a bit more difficult than usual around here.

JT y la bici

Being short means that certain skills have to wait until the minimum height requirement is attained.  Bike riding happens to be one of those skills.

The Zoo

We went to the zoo to meet up with friends from Bloomington.  Everyone had a great time despite the heat, long drive, and lack of sleep.

Looking at fake snakes hatching

Watching the school of fish in the hippo tank

JT was so intrigued by the hippo, but also afraid.  He kept backing up when it got close to the glass.

My favorite picture of JA

JT didn't want another picture

It was really loud in the penguin house! (and cold, too)

Family Games Night

Papi and I love board games and card games.  So much so, that we actually included several board games on our wedding registry!  Well, they aren't so fun with only 2, and the little preschooler games are boring.  We recently discovered that JA and JT are old enough to play several of our favorite games.  Yeah!!

Hand Washing

Science

Focusing sunlight to burn a small hole in a leaf.

 

JT couldn't concentrate the sunlight  in one spot.

Observing a fuzzy caterpillar we found while on a walk.

JT's Lego Mariner 10 (as he imagines it.)

JA's version of Mariner 10.

Home

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to go home.  We camped out in our still-hasn't-sold house, ate at our favorite restaurants, went to the zoo, went to our home church, and visited friends.  It was wonderful!

We all miss it there very much, especially seeing our friends regularly, but we are confident that God has a purpose for bringing us here.