2 days became 7

We finally made it home to visit Tu-Tu - just in time for the installation of her new hot tub. The kids loved it. I was worried that it would be too hot for them, as Violet usually insists that the bath water be no warmer than tepid. Previous attempts to get into hotel hot tubs have been a failure. But even water shy Jack wanted to hang in the "pool" as Violet called it. She is just tall enough to stand up everywhere in it and still be able to reach the bottom, but still needed close supervision. Jack even became so comfortable that he floated on his back. With assistance of course.

While we were in the QC's, we took the opportunity to visit the local zoo. Naibi Zoo has been around since I was a kid (at least) but lots of improvements have been made since then. While the place was pretty small, it was just the perfect size with 2 toddlers. We rented a stroller (3 bucks!!) and managed to see and do everything they had to offer. Along with the requisite carousal and train rides, Naibi had some unique offerings. Being so small you really got to see the animals up close and being in the Quad Cities it was not very crowded so at all the hands on activities we spent lots of time lingering. The kids got quite a kick, and me quite a jolt at the bird exhibit. After buying cups of nectar, they let you in to an enclosed space with birds flying in the open and not at all afraid of you. I was a little afraid. It is a bit unsettling to have them land on you, but it seems no one else minded. Violet very much wanted one to land on her, but it seems they do have a bit a self preservation instinct left!

Jack has come a long way from the first time we took him to the zoo. At the beginning of the summer he refused to pose on the animal statues with Violet. Now here he is loving it, even pointing out the animals. My brave little man.

testing, testing...

Rewind

In defiance of my stated desire not to post old photos on the blog, I could not resist publishing our last years photos of Lollapalooza. We had such a fun time. The kids had their first live music experience...no earplugs but we were off to the side. Loud enough to "rock out" as V would say; not so loud as to cause hearing damage - I hope! Wish we could have made it this year (Radiohead! Kanye!) , but alas not in the cards. Maybe next year they will book Tom Waits or Sinead- then we will have to go.