Colorado Visits Kansas!

Ernest's sister, Ricki, her husband Donn, and their 5 year old Ian, all came to visit us for a few days.  It had been a couple of years since they saw Ally in person and they hadn't met Jacob yet.  We had been telling Ally about their visit for a few weeks, and she kept talking about "My boyfriend, Ian."  We finally got it through her head that he is her cousin, but I'm sure we'll tease her about it later. 

Wonderscope
I've lived in the Kansas City area for most of my life and had never been to Wonderscope.  We went over on Saturday with Ricki, Donn, Ian, Ernest, Ally, Jacob, and myself.  It was pretty fun.  Jacob had the best time playing in the Small Wonders room (2 years and under only, and it was decently padded).  He also had a pretty good time playing in the H2O room and Art Room.  Ally liked all of it, I think.  The pictures do a decent job, I think, of showing...

 Hi Mama!

 Drawing on walls with chalk.

 Face painting with Dada!

 Trying SO HARD to reach the water.

 Aunt Ricki keeping a hand on Ally.  I think she would have tried swimming if she had half a chance.  Ally, not Ricki.

 Jacob was SOAKED.

 This cool little guy had air blowing through the tunnels that you could redirect by changing a couple of flaps.  You put in the scarves, and watched them zip through different paths until they shot out at you again.  Ian is trying to catch the green one as it goes by.

 The dads went up the slide the wrong way too. 

Inside a Lego submarine.

Date Night!  Dinner and pool.



 Legoland

 The following are parts of Kansas City made from Legos.  So cool to see.

 The Duplo blocks - Jacob's favorite (Dada's too, I think)

 One of the best things about Legoland, in my opinion, were all of the picture props!

Ally missed her nap this day, so was pretty cranky by mid-afternoon. There was a giant running/climbing/play area for kids only.  She wouldn't come out.  Ernest had to go in after her.  She got strapped in with Jacob for a bit after that. 

So, Legoland.  Pretty fun, a lot to do.  Way too crowded, especially for my little ones.  I also think it is over-priced by about $5 a ticket.  I would go again if tickets were cheaper.

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice

This was also at Crown Center.  Way cool.  First, it was free.  Second, the kids had free reign.  Seriously.

They really enjoyed it.  There was a little slide just perfect for Jacob to climb up himself and then slide down the other side (big kids enjoyed it too).  Dinosaurs to climb all over.  Dinosaur eggs to play with.  You could make crayon etchings.  A mossy bridge thing to bounce on and climb over/under.  And small enough that the kids could just run.  Awesome.

Ally had a great time with Ian.  I don't think he was used to having a little tag-along, which is exactly what Ally was to him.  It was cute to watch.  She cried when they had to leave, and keeps talking about when she gets to see "Cousin Ian" again - we finally got over the "boyfriend" part.  Ernest and I had a great time with Ricki & Donn.  Definitely one of the things I miss about Colorado is being near them.  Our date night was a lot of fun.  I can't wait to have a new niece.  Just another reason to go visit :)