Sweating in the Garden

Yesterday was a lot like today: hot. Very hot. Missouri mid-summer hot. Yet, we're not in mid-summer. Oh well.

Our goal for the summer is to live in the moment and stay busy. To that end, Sophia and I have tried to get out and do stuff every day. Yesterday morning, we were tired and dreading the heat. However, the MO Botanical Gardens are free to residents on Wednesday mornings, so...

We had the best time in the Garden. We walked around to all the areas that we miss when we go for the summer concerts. The Japanese garden is my favorite and Sophia's too. I was taking a picture of that particular garden when Sophia photo bombed it. The result is very cute.

Here we are glistening as we walk. I'm not sure how much water we drank because we refilled our water bottle at each water fountain. The shade was so lovely, though. The breeze cooled us just enough to feel like we could make it all the way.

Another place we don't normally go is the house of the garden's benefactor, Henry Shaw. This time, however, we went in and did the whole tour. Sophia loved it! She said how great it would be to live in a house like this some day. It is a great house. They have a great deal of original furniture and such, too, which makes it all the more interesting and, according to Sophia, a little creepy.

We made it all the way through the garden, with the final stop at the Children's Garden splash park. It was a lovely way to pass a morning with my girl. This summer is turning out to be quite lovely, in spite of the heat.

Newer to the Lou

We have so enjoyed having Jacob and Jeffrey living closer to us this summer. School will just complicate things in the fall, so for now we're soaking in as much togetherness as we can get.

Last night, we went to the Missouri Botanical Garden concert. I love that place and that event. So much fun. We even got there early enough to go to the Children's Garden - for free on concert evenings.

After we ate our picnic lunch, the kids burnt off a little energy by playing hide and seek in the maze. I just love this picture, showing Jeffrey hiding from Sophia.

As usual, they all had a wonderful time together. I'm so grateful to have them closer so we can be a bigger part of one another's lives.

Cure for Cabin Fever

It looks like we may get some spring temperatures next weekend, but we couldn't wait till then to get out of the apartment.

Yesterday, Grandmary was with us for our trip to the Botanical Gardens. The outdoor areas were not yet in bloom, but we enjoyed the Climatron. I also enjoy saying Climatron. Sophia spent most of our time in the Climatron complaining about the heat. She's really a cold weather girl.

The Temperate House was -- well, it was more temperate. And it's by far my favorite. It feels English and Mediterranean at the same time.

In order to get our fix today, we headed to the zoo. We were bundled up, but Erick and I were not quite as stylishly bundled as Sophia.

In other news, Sophia has started to read. Apparently, when one begins to read, one wants to read everywhere. For example, one might want to read in the Sea Lion Tunnel. And a sea lion might just want to read with you!

Since Sophia had spent most of our zoo time either reading or climbing on rocks, we decided to add a trip to Turtle Park, where she could get her climb on.


P.S. Creaches look great in layers.

Ridiculously cute.

This and That

As long as the picture of Erick and me on our wedding day was the top one, it was going to be hard for me to post. So I'm just going ahead and getting that over with. My camera's in the van, and I'm not going to get it. Otherwise, I could show you pictures from our first week with Emily, our houseguest. Sophia's enamored with her. I have to work very hard to be sure Emily maintains whatever privacy she wants. She's been gracious enough to join us on a few very fun outings. I know Sophia has some more planned for this week. Maybe I'll show you pictures of those when I get them.

Or I could show you a couple of pictures of me and Risha, my college roommate. We had a girls overnight visit and shopping excursion here this weekend while Erick and Sophia hung out with Paul and their girls. It was a fantastic time for all of us. It's incredibly nice to have an extended uninterrupted conversation, and both of us are grateful to our baby daddies for taking care of them so we could make it happen.

I believe the only other thing on the camera are some pictures I took yesterday at Missouri Botanical Gardens. We hadn't been since our trip with Linda and Russ, so it was fun to see all of the flowers out and stroll around the lakes and ponds and such. We are hoping to see the free concert there on Wednesday night. Just depends on rain and energy.

But I can't show you any of those because I'm inside. Not going out for the camera. Maybe another time I'll show you the photographic evidence. For now, you'll just have to take my word.

February Redeemed

 

This weekend did not entirely feel like February. Saturday was chilly but more like a spring chill. Linda and Russ came to visit us this weekend, and that was a huge treat. We all enjoy their company immensely.

We spent most of our time with them here at home hanging out, but we did get out to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Erick and I have never been there before, but we'll definitely be going back. So much to see and do. They had enough indoor things to keep us busy on a cold day. My favorite was the Temperate House, where I took this picture of Linda and Russ. It felt like a beautiful European garden. A lovely little spot of color and fragrance in the middle of winter.

 

When Linda and Russ left on Sunday, we had a visit from Paul, Risha, Lilly and Nora. Because the day was so lovely yesterday, we decided to walk to the zoo. It was a perfect day for it. Being at the zoo in short sleeves is another big February treat. The hippos were enjoying the weather, too, so the girls enjoyed watching them. Not gonna lie. The adults may have enjoyed it even more.

 

While having a snack, Lilly and Sophia walked to see the camels. They hid their crackers from the camels because they had somehow gotten the idea that camels might eat them....

 

I am always so grateful for these pleasant weekends at a time of the year when we could easily be stuck inside. And to get to share them with people we enjoy so much makes it that much sweeter.