Take me out to the ball game...

When you can't stand one minute more in Springfield, but you don't have time for a proper holiday, St. Louis makes a perfect weekend get away. To be fair, its only two hours down the road and by no means requires an overnight stay, but if you're going to drive all the way down there anyway... Right? Yes, ok, anywhere but here. Even if only for the weekend.

To start things off, we went to see the Birds on Shirt play the Houston Astros at Busch Stadium. They won. The boys loved every minute. I spent a lot of time basking in the sunshine on the upper patio and enjoying the world's largest bag of kettle corn. We all have our weaknesses.








We even got to eat lunch at the stadium. Frugal mommy packed a picnic. Poor Kellan. Blame your grandparents. I learned it from a childhood deprived of eating overpriced junk food myself. You can see "the rainbow" (the Arch) in the background.






After the game, we spent the rest of the day (and on into the night) at one of our favourite spots in all of the midwest, the fabulous and most wonderful City Museum (if you haven't been here yet, GO!).







This train is the coolest thing.











Sunday threatened rain and colder weather, so we decided to head for the St. Louis Science Center. What a find! Totally free and packed with a full day's worth of fun and adventure. Does everybody know about this place???












One tired boy at the end of one fun weekend. He slept all the way home from St. Louis and woke ready to plan our next weekend get away...

The newest American

Today was Nic's big swearing in ceremony. He is now an American citizen. I haven't noticed a difference yet. He's still the same old snarky Englishman that I fell in love with.

The ceremony was held at the Old State Capitol building. Here's my handsome guy just moments before his change in nationality.








The ceremony was held in the Representative's Room.




This was the actual swearing in. The new Americans are taking their oath of allegiance.



Here is Nic receiving his certificate from Judge Scott. To his left is Congressman Shimkus who was present today.



Its official! A new American. Does he look any different? Other than it being a blurry photo!



Short video from the end of the ceremony. Nic is down in the bottom right corner.

The New Bike

Kellan rides his new bike

Wipe out! I had to post it...

One more trip to Balboa Park before we have to think about heading back to the midwest

Today called for one more trip to Balboa Park, the science center, and the zoo. As a special treat, we even got to ride the trolley (two trolleys!) to get there.










A picnic lunch at the fountain outside of the science center. Respect the almighty quesadilla!







Goofing around (and learning!) in the science center.









One final shot. That face says it all. We have to return to the midwest tomorrow. And so ends another fabulous trip home to San Diego.