Trains on the brain

Do your kids love trains? Then you'll want to add these stops to your next St. Paul, MN excursion.

1) Choo Choo Bob's
Our kids love playing with the train tables at the back of this delightful train store. They also host birthday parties, have their own TV show (available on DVD) and they are located right next door to Izzy's ice cream shop and Sweets cupcake bakery.

2) Jackson Street Roundhouse
My friend and co-worker Gary told me about this hidden gem. It's staffed by knowledgable volunteers and the admission fee also gives you a ride on a real train outside. If you're lucky, you'll get to ride up front in the locomotive. Or choose a comfy seat in the quieter caboose. In the museum, there are old trains to wander around and explore and exhibits to see. There's a couple of train tables for the kids to play with and a small gift shop. While we were there, we saw a birthday party taking place in one of the exhibit trains.

3) Twin City Model Railway Museum
This museum actually is split into two buildings. They offer a few train tables for the toddler-aged crowd and many larger models for the older folks. The kids enjoyed running the model trains and playing with the train tables. There weren't very many people there when we went and the parking lot offered ample free parking. Perhaps not as fun, or child-oriented as Choo Choo Bob's or the Jackson Street Roundhouse, the Twin City Model Railway Museum is still a worthwhile visit for train-lovers.

Our favorite Twin Cities indoor play areas

Now that the weather is getting cooler, it's time to think about heading indoors for some playtime. I love running around and climbing through the play areas with the kids. Here's our family's list of three favorite indoor play areas in the Twin Cities area. Don't forget to bring socks!

1) Edinborough Park, Edina
Admission: $6/child
My favorite indoor play area in the Twin Cities, Edinborough Park offers local residents a nice green escape from the snow and ice of the outdoors during the Winter months. There's an indoor atrium with trees, water and a large open area with fun push chairs and play equipment. When your kids get tired of that (it takes a really long time, trust me), they can head over to the large Adventure Peak play structure, hailed as "one of the largest indoor play structures in the country". There's lots of room for picnics and for parents to lounge along the sidelines.

2) Maple Maze, Maple Grove
Admission: $5/child
This indoor play area features a large maze structure for older children and a smaller toddler play area. There isn't a lot of places for parents to sit and watch, but the building also houses private birthday party rooms, a large gymnasium and a swimming pool. It's been recently renovated as of Fall 2011.

3) Eagles Nest, New Brighton

Admission: $5/child

Eagles Nest is a little hike from our house, but worth the drive. There's a very large maze structure that Sophie enjoys and a smaller area for younger kids. Eagles Nest features a decent size snack area with picnic tables for visitors to bring their own food and beverages. When we went, there was an attendant supervising the play area, especially helpful when there are many kids attending birthday parties and running around.

Jack's sayings

"Meemo, meemo, meemo"
Translation: "Meow, meow, meow"

"Bom" "Daddy bom"
Translation: "Truck" "Daddy's truck"

"Beelah-beelaah!"
Translation: "Peekaboo!"

3 reasons why I love WDW

There are really too many reasons to list. But here are my top 3 reasons:

3) Mickey head ice cream. A delicious frozen treat after a long day at the parks. What could be better (or tastier?)

2) Watching the kids ride Dumbo, the Flying Elephant. Wheeeeee! I get excited running to get back in line to ride again.

1) It's all magical. That's not a person playing the role of Snow White. She is Snow White.

Family pictures

A couple of sneak peeks from our most recent family pictures. Taken by JM Photography at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, MN.

October 2011

It's officially Autumn. Which means going to the apple orchard to pick lots of yummy Honeycrisp apples. Jack loved carrying around the "bapple" he found on the ground.

Sophie likes picking out her own outfits and dressing herself. This is one of those outfits to pieced together on her own. It's so nice to have only one kid in diapers. Sophie has been working hard on potty training and staying dry.

One of her biggest motivations to potty train was because she started preschool this Fall. Here's a picture of Sophie standing by her locker. She goes to preschool two mornings a week, for two and a half hours each time. Today, they tasted apples and Sophie decided that green apples are her favorite.

Sophie has also started ballet and tap lessons. She's the tiniest kid in the class, no surprise there! I think she's built like a dancer or gymnast.

Jack is growing up so quickly. He's discovering his love for sweets. He's been saying more and more words every day. He runs around, dances and loves to play "choo, choo".

We're looking forward to our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World (again!), Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Have a great Fall!

September 2011

In August, my Dad, sister Michelle and brother Daniel came to visit from Malaysia. They were here for a week and we kept them busy. Took them to a Twins game, a Vikings game, the Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Children's Museum, the Mall of America and we went out to eat quite a bit. Here's a picture of them with Jack.

My sister and I took the kids to the American Girl Bistro for lunch. I love this picture of Jack taking a drink from the tiny doll cup. Sophie picked out a doll to sit next to him.

On Labor Day, Sophie and I went to the Minnesota State Fair together. We stayed there all day and had a wonderful time, eating our way around, checking out Little Farm Hands and going down the Giant Slide. I can't wait for next year!

Here's Sophie on the tractor at Little Farm Hands. She enjoyed the experience on our first visit to the fair that she asked to go back again.

Sophie starts ballet tomorrow, swimming on Sunday and then preschool next week! Jack is still too young for most activities, but maybe we'll sign him up for gymnastics when he's 2. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love the cooler weather, beautiful colors of the trees and Halloween.

July 2011

Phew, the last half of June was a very busy month for us. Sophie was in and out of Children's Hospital. It took a couple of ER visits before the doctors were able to accurately diagnose her with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP). She ended up spending a couple of nights at the hospital. Her chief complaints were abdominal pain, arthritic pain in her knee and a reddish rash on her legs. Poor kid was a good patient. She has to have follow-up labs and blood pressure checks until the end of the year. I hope there are no long term side-effects.

We went to Brainerd for a night with the kids and had fun swimming in the lake, mini-golfing and enjoying ice cream in the heat. Then we went to Bemidji for the 4th of July with the McMillans and had a great time. The weather for most of July has been HOT and HUMID. Sophie turned 3 last week and had so much fun at her birthday party. I can't believe she's 3 years old already. She's recently started potty training and we're very proud of her :)

Another June 2011 post!

Bryan and I recently celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, we went out for dinner and then went to the Cirque du Soleil Ovo show at the Mall of America. It was incredible! The kids slept over at Grandma's house and we got to sleep on Sunday.

The weather has been warming up, in fact, it even got up to 103 degrees last week. That's a little too hot for my taste. We had a great weekend and kept busy, as usual. Yesterday, Sophie and I went to Charley's 2nd birthday party. Then we went to three different stores to track down Piggy Paint nail polish in purple. Sophie and I now have matching toes. We picked up Grandma's birthday present and I saw Sophie draw a stick figure representing Grandma.

Today, we started out the day with a webcam chat with my family and then we went to the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Enjoyed an early lunch there and then in the afternoon, Sophie and I went to a fundraiser benefit, where she went bowling for the very first time. She had a blast! She also got her face painted and I bid on a number of silent auction items. I'm curious to find out if I got anything.

Sophie starts swimming lessons again next weekend. She's been a little apprehensive about putting her head into the water, after taking two semesters off swimming. Hope it goes okay.

June 2011

Welcome to June! Apparently, summer has decided to appear. It was close to 90 degrees today, hot and humid. We had a fun May, some highlights include running the Race for the Cure on Mother's Day at the Mall of America, taking the kids swimming at Foss and Lifetime, going to baby Tristan's baptism party, going to the Minnesota Children's Museum and the Minnesota Zoo and spending Memorial Day weekend in Bemidji.

Sophie is really into Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat movie and books right now. It's the DVD she requests to watch whenever she has a chance. She also loves to hear me tell her the story of the Three Little Pigs and Hansel and Gretel. She received her very first pedicure last night and asked if she could walk on the new carpet with her "cute little toes". Sophie's birthday is coming and I've asked her for a few birthday gift ideas. Her response? A car, a computer (for playing games), a hair dryer and a yo-yo. Where does she get this stuff from?

Jack has been walking around on his own and getting more and more stable with each passing day. He loves to cuddle and gives my Sydney bear a kiss every morning and every night before bed. Jack shares a bedroom with his big sister Sophie and they both do a good job of it (we're thankful for that!).

This weekend is our 7th wedding anniversary. Bryan and I got married at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. We were joined by about 50 of our friends and family members. It was a wonderful trip and brings back great memories. Time flies when you're having fun! To celebrate our anniversary, we are going out to dinner and then to the Cirque du Soleil show Ovo at the Mall of America. Can't wait! Happy Summer!