Down South in Illinois near St. Louis

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 Well, since we aren't allowed to leave Illinois with school COVID restrictions, we went as close as we could to the border which was not St. Louis. No, never.

At the aquarium, they have this thing, that we have done before where you color a picture, scan it, and it comes to life on the big screen. Alice watches her's go bye..
 
A before pic
 
Matt's pants fish is simply a gem.

Brock's...


Brock putts while Alice naps...

Off to the science center, and we begin with some mental stacking!



making the fire "hotter" with more coal...

Indeed, an arch. And since we couldn't go in the arch (booked until December), this was the next best thing?




They have this cool pedestrian overpass above the highway. You can watch the cars dash by below. Alice was obsessed!

 
Next morning begins with a stroll on the still closed sculpture garden.

Matt is singing the Bangles song "circle in the sand" right now in his head. At least that is what he is doing in my head right now.

Our annual bunny summit
 
We foolishly did our yearly diet on this trip. But not today! Today we feast on donuts from Pharaohs!
 
Then back to the bunny






I think I have more pictures of this bunny than all of our summer photos with family. My priorities are severely out of whack.

Brock poses outside a place with lots of rebar...

Quarantine in the dungeon.
 
Everyone was very patient as we waited for the Ferris wheel. To pass the time, we went blind.
 



Alice got braver as the day went on.

And her pilot's license. 

And her driver's license.

Daddy was good at getting Alice to try slides. This was one of her favorites!




We love taking a time out in Beatniks snack bar on the second floor. Complete with vintage arcade games and other paraphernalia. I think Alice pooped her pants which is why we went earlier this year than normal. The poop goes out, the chocolate goes in, the circle of life.

This game was fun and a great bargain. 






It IS cheaper than therapy.

One last trip to Beatniks. This time without the poop. Above: Who knew transparency could be so obvious!

 
One last stop before we head home, to turtle park!
 




On the way back, there was a place Matt and I had seen that we had always wanted to stop at...

Mars!


Inside the space craft. You will see the alien life form grazing on the plains outside.

Who knew Mars was so kitschy!






Al is over the zany family shots.

The planet is known for their delicious cream set in the them of mid-century Earth diner.

and now a series of amusing, perhaps un-becoming depictions of Earth visitors feasting.






 
 After an uneventful drive home, we stop at the children's first ever trip to Chipotle, where dieters and children unite.

 
Rave reviews. What a great trip to the fine state of Almost, Illinois! 

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