Lone Elk Park

WELCOME TO LONE ELK PARK

Today was another beautiful day in the neighborhood. Planning an outdoor activity seemed to be our only option...can't waste time indoors when it's so pretty! Believe it or not, The Spence Family chose to head to a park, but this isn't our typical kind of park. Lone Elk Park is a nature, scenic, hiking, wildlife area where elk, bison, deer, waterfowl, and wild turkey call home. We located all these animals during our tour except for the deer and the wild turkey...maybe next time! Lone Elk Park is 546 acres so it is impossible to take in everything in one visit. Also, The World Bird Sanctuary is located next door which we also plan to take Kyle too one day in the future. It's always so fun and exciting heading on new adventures with Kyle and watching him enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors!

There were plenty of bison in view...

aren't they such pretty animals? Ha!

Just a couple of scenic pictures. I can only imagine how

pretty the area is once the leaves are on the trees and

especially during the fall once the leaves change colors.

It was such a refreshing treat to spend quality time enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures with my boys this weekend. We can finally see light at the end of the tunnel that spring is on it's way...Hooray!! Hope everyone had a fun-filled weekend!!

Warmest Day in 2010

Today was the warmest day St. Louis has seen in 2010 and it seemed everyone was out to enjoy the first taste of spring! If only it would last, but I'm sure Mother Nature is just teasing us! We can't be picky and take each beautiful day to head outside and soak up the sun and warmer temperatures. We took Kyle to one of our favorite parks, which is typically not very crowded, but today was a different story...plenty of other people stole our wonderful idea!

As usual, Kyle loves the freedom of being outdoors. This year, he is really enjoying the slides more than usual....I should have counted, but I'm sure he went down the slide at least 50 times today. The park has a sand volleyball court and Kyle was determined to play in the sand. He must be trying to tell us he wants to go on a beach vacation this year. Also, in a recent post I mentioned our spring/summer goal for Kyle...transitioning him to the big boy swing. Well, yesterday he actually got on one, mainly because he was following his friend and today he also got on one, but wasn't such a fan. It really depends on the swing and how low it is to the ground. I'm sure once we find the perfect swing he will become a pro! But, we are making progress!!

Tomorrow is going to be another warmer day, so we are making plans to head outside once again. Hope you had nice weather in your neck of the woods!

Kyle had his eye on the prize...

the playground

One of his fifty trips down the slide Not so sure about this swing

Kyle the tree hugger What a beautiful day Waterfall

Is It Spring?

The Spences are ready for spring...along with everyone else!! Today was such a beautiful day...it felt and looked like spring. The temperature was about fifty degrees which is technically a little too chilly for spring like temperatures. After such a long winter with such cold temperatures fifty degrees feels wonderful!

Of course, the three of us took advantage and headed out to enjoy the afternoon. Where else would we go to do this? A park of course and needless to say Kyle enjoyed his time outdoors...climbing the equipement, going down the slides, going around and around on the merry go round, and his all time favorite...swinging! One goal we have for the summer is to get Kyle comfortable on a "big"boy" swing. He has been on the big swing in the past, but isn't a huge fan and much prefers the enclosed bucket swing. At four years old, Kyle is a bit big for this type of swing, but it makes him so very happy as you can see in the photo below. I need to find a strategy to assist him in getting over his fear of the big swing.

So happy on the bucket swing

So happy to be outside Here he comes, down the slide

We have been to this park a number of times, but today we discovered a creek located behind the park. We walked closer, only to see there was absolutely no water, so we used it as an opportunity to explore nature. We will need to check back after a heavy rain to see the creek filled with water. Today, it was a neat experience to walk in it...without getting wet!

The empty creek turned into our playground

This was just a neat picture I took of an airplane

and the pretty blue sky

Hope everyone had a great weekend, as well as a great February. Tomorrow is the first day of March...where does the time go! See you next month!

Round and Round He Goes

Kyle has discovered a way to beat the winter blues and cabin fever....the carousel. There is a very nice, two story carousel at a local mall which Kyle LOVES! He could literally ride it all day, everyday! At one point several weeks ago, whenever he would get dressed he thought he was going to ride on the carousel. Kyle has become a "regular" with the workers since he is there at least five times per week. We have also been using this as a "reward" for doing well using the potty. Typically, he has it set in his head which animal he would like to ride...his favorites in no particular order are the elephant, lion, tiger, zebra, deer, dragon, and the horse. We didn't make it to the mall today, so I'm certain that will be on our agenda tomorrow! Enjoy the pictures...it's easy to get a picture of Kyle smiling since he is always so happy when going round and round!

Kyle's Magical Day

One of the most popular attractions in our area for children is The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum. John and I have been very excited to bring Kyle to experience the "magical excitement" of the museum. We have been waiting for the perfect time, so he could enjoy what it has to offer and today was the day we chose to visit for the first time.

Kyle absolutely LOVED The Magic House!! It is filled with activities for children to explore, pretend, discover, play, construct, and create. Kyle was able to pretend to be working in a bank, a restaurant, grocery store, as well as being a mechanic. He also enjoyed the "construction zone" pretending to be a construction worker, wearing a tool belt, painting, etc. One of the cutest areas is the "Star-Spangled Center" where children can sit at the President's desk and play in a jury room. "Once Upon A Time...Exploring The World of Fairy Tales" is a limited time exhibit which Kyle enjoyed. He was able to have a hands on, interactive experience from several of the most popular fairy tales, including Jack and The Bean Stalk.

This is just a small sampling of what there is to see and do....it is impossible to explore the entire Magic House in one visit. Kyle had such a great time, we decided to purchase a yearly membership. With the membership we have free admission for an entire year, as well as a few other perks. We look forward to our next visit in the very near future!!

Kyle, the mechanic, filling up the windshield washer fluid. Our future Mozart.

This place is electrifying!

Kyle serving Mommy and Daddy some pizza. Kyle also enjoyed the museum gift shop.

Spence Saturday Snip Its

I love Saturdays, which means my boys and I have some family fun! This morning, John and I took Kyle to a "Planes, Trains, and Things That Go" workshop sponsored by the Parents As Teachers group through our local school district. The event was advertised for ages 2-5 so we figured it would be a perfect outing that Kyle would love, since he is all about "things that go". The majority of the children there were younger than Kyle, but it certainly didn't stop him from having a good 'ole time. By far, Kyle's favorite part of the morning was "driving" the fire truck...he has seen a fire truck up close and personal on many occasions, but it's always fun and exciting each and every time.

Kyle, The Fire Chief, driving the fire truck

We were experiencing a "heat wave" in the St. Louis area today with temperatures reaching into the 5o's. We couldn't pass up the awesome opportunity, so this afternoon we headed to the park to soak up the "warmer" temperatures. Kyle has been antsy to get outside and has been asking to go to the park practically everyday....unfortunately everday the answer is no, but today his wish came true! Kyle was so happy to be set free and was able to run off some much needed energy. John and I enjoyed the fresh air as well....The Spence Family is ready for spring!

So happy to be on the playground. Whew...here I come!

Ready, Set, Go!!!!!! Can you catch me???

My two favorite "boys".

Friendship Day Party!

This morning Kyle had his Friendship Day Party at preschool. The school district doesn't use the term Valentine's Day for religious reasons, so hence the name Friendship Day. The party was during the last hour of school...complete with a card exchange, crafts, games, and of course party food! The children decorated shoe boxes with pictures and hearts to put their cards and other goodies in. Kyle brought a fun, festive, holiday bag for each of his classmates. Inside the bag was two boxes of sweetheart candy and two small size play-doh containers. It seems the majority of preschool age children love candy and play-doh, so I figured it was a good combination. He also gave his classmates a picture search Valentines card. I'm sure a good time was had by all celebrating the true meaning of Valentine's Day...Friendship!

Kyle is all set and ready to head to his Friendship Day Party!

Goodie bags for his classmates.

Who Dat!!!

SUPER BOWL XLIV

Super Bowl Sunday was a very exciting day for anyone who LOVES the Saints, as well as the city of New Orleans. The Saints won their very first Super Bowl in history! I was thrilled the Saints went all the way...not only for the fans, but for the city itself. I'm sure this brought some much needed energy to the city after what everyone experienced in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. It was a great game, which had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats until the end when "Who Dat" nation was standing on their feet celebrating the win! Of course, we watched the game in St. Louis, cheering for the Saints all the way, dressed in our black and gold. Kyle was so proud he even wore his Saints jersey to school to show his New Orleans Saints spirit!

Kyle, the cutest Saints fan! He was holding a football that was signed by

Ricky Jackson, who was recently elected into the Hall of Fame.

Happy Halloween - 2009!

Hope everyone had a safe, yet fun-filled Halloween! After days and days filled with rain, rain, and more rain, the weather truly cooperated and we had a wonderful night to celebrate Halloween in St. Louis. Our little fireman, Kyle, certainly had a very enjoyable evening trick or treating and protecting our neighborhood streets. Usually, we enjoy making the rounds from house to house as well as handing out candy to the many trick or treaters. Kyle was having such a good time and wasn't quite ready to head home so we continued on and didn't make it home in time to hand out any candy. We did leave a huge bowl full of candy on our front porch for the kiddos to help themselves. One neighbor set up a haunted house maze in his garage and Kyle attempted to lead us through the maze....however we couldn't easily find our way out, but we finally did after several minutes! Below, are several pictures of "Our Future Firefighter".

The Spence Family had a very successful Happy Halloween! Now, it's time to begin looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Kyle the fireman

Happy Halloween from the cutest little fireman around

Set and ready to go trick or treating

Finally, I'm on my way...give me some candy!

Patiently waiting for someone to answer!

Show Us Your Life - Halloween Costumes

Kelly is hosting yet another "Show Us Your Life" tour. This week the theme is Halloween costumes. It certainly will be exciting to see everyone's costumes....such a fun, fitting theme for this Friday. I am posting pictures of my son, Kyle, dresssed in his costumes since he was born. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of Kyle in his costume this year yet, but he will be a fireman! Please visit Kelly's Korner to view many more adorable and creative Halloween costumes.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Happy Halloween!

October 2005

Kyle was born premature and spent his very first Halloween in the NICU. Here he is dressed as the Tin Man. Kyle's little NICU neighbor was dressed as Dorothy

so they certainly made an adorable little couple.

October 2006

My husband and I couldn't decide what Kyle should be for Halloween this year, so he had two costumes. The first picture, he is dressed as a little pumpkin,

which was Mommy's choice.

October 2006

Kyle's second costume was a dinasour, which was Daddy's choice.

October 2007

Kyle dressed as a lion...Roar!!! October 2008 Kyle dressed as Thomas the Train