We went to Omaha, Nebraska AND St. Louis, Missouri (...because we couldn't decide and it was Aldo's birthday wish). Early Thursday morning we left for Omaha, first stop Love's for beef jerky. (Aldo's blow money was gone the first day!) We arrived at City Market around lunch time, but none of us were hungry and I can't remember why. We walked around a couple blocks there because that's what you do at a City Market. I liked the brick roads and the oldness of the buildings, but it seemed like it was all antique places and expensive food joints. We went into one antique Hollywood-ish store; they had a whole bunch of old-fashioned candies, records, and collections on display like PEZ holders and lunch boxes. Nothing you could actually buy. I was basically bored and even though we had been in the car all morning, I wanted to sit down. So we went on to the recommended Spaghetti Works for lunch. Not a bad start at all. Food was good and the Italian Soda was delicious and refreshing. Afterward we went to the Family Fun Center XL. The website looked amazing and advertised glow golf, laser mazes, bazooka ball, etc. so I was really excited to go. It reminded me of Chuckie Cheese's except that the pizza was killer. As in, it could kill you. For real. I ate a salad and grapes if that explains anything. We played glow golf (we were the only ones there) two times. Once regular, and the next with bent rules like put with your foot (I blame my loss on that). Even though it was up to par on my glow golf expectations (forgive the pun), it was still probably my favorite thing we did there. Luke also tried out the rock wall. We all three went in the laser maze. Aldo and Luke first, but Luke got scared and came back out. Me and Luke next, Luke again came out. Finally Aldo and Luke did it again and made it through completely. It was really hot in there; I wasn't sure how I was going to bend through those laser lines with my pregnant belly, but I did it. We played laser tag just in time before all the kids arrived. Luke was on my team of course, and we won. Before we left, we relaxed a little and Aldo taught me some pool. First impression of our room wasn't the best because it smelled like eggs, but I slept great and Luke had his own pull out bed in the other room. Poor Aldo was sick throughout the night, but thank goodness he felt better in the morning.
Best Quote of Day One: Aldo reciting "Boy Meets World"
Love's Beef Jerky - Be jealous.
The next day we went to the zoo, and completed the entire thing (Imax included) in less than 6 hours. I will tell you this, last time we didn't go to the desert or to the jungle. WE MISSED OUT! Those were our favorite parts!!! I'll give you all the high points because there is just so much at a zoo to experience. We rode on the Skyfari and train, saw a sea lion training, and near the end of the day went to a kamodo dragon feeding. I fell asleep for a minute or so during the Humpback Whale showing at the Imax. The desert is not as stinky as they say. The big news going around was that the silverback gorilla had broken the glass the day before (and we had to walk through the gorilla exhibit several times because of construction). Kingdom of the Night exhibit was awesome, because how many times do we see alligators and beavers in swampy surroundings? Bats and armadillos under red light? And our final place we went was the Lied Jungle. It was our greatest and most remembered part, there were bats out in the open. And lemurs out in the open. And a sloth out in the open. They could come sit on your shoulder if they wanted. But didn't. The bats were the craziest…
Aldo decided to take us through the exhibit again, but on the floor level (off the beaten path). Pregnant lady is tired, right… So we go. As we're walking, we duck down to go through a small cave, Aldo and Luke leading the way, me behind. I look up and there are two bats hanging upside down from the ceiling out int he open. Are they supposed to be out? Oops.. Then a group of teenage boys come through screaming like girls - the bats awaken and swoop through us so that we can literally feel the wind of their wings on our necks. !!! As we walk out, Luke is clinging onto Aldo's leg and we come to a huge wall covered in bats. Some on the side, others flapping all over the place. We made a video, but it doesn't do it justice. And I apologize that the video isn't that long - the "elevator creeper" showed up and we stopped filming. We went to the gift shop and bought our family animal poop. Your welcome.
Oh and I forgot, Le Solo Mio (the restaurant) is now a family ritual, even with it being a $100 bill. Best Italian I have ever had in my life. In. My. Life. Tiramisu of your dreams.
Best Quotes of Day Two:
• Butterfly Pavilion - Aldo sings "Little Mermaid" rather than Ace Ventura Call
• Aldo in Bat Video & Now Luke Quoting Him… - These vicious creatures are attacking us right now. Let's see if we can get closer [in Crocodile Hunter voice]
• Luke on Car Ride Home - My skin is sleeping
Family Trip to the Omaha Zoo - 2015
The Butterfly Call
Aldo really does have gorilla hands
Nerdiest glasses ever. And Luke really was all about the map.
Escape Lizard in Desert Dome!
Lied Jungle - Off the Beaten Path
Even though the ride was longer from our house to St. Louis than it was to Omaha, it didn't feel like it. We had a great mix of music, we took a fantastic pit stop at Steak N' Shake half way, and ended the ride with a travel game. This was the part of the trip that got a little more spontaneous too. Since we had left especially late, we were able to check into the hotel right away. Highly recommend the Embassy Suites on Lone Eagle Dr. because they were so nice, the breakfast in the morning was amazing, pool and wifi, remarkable room, out of the city… we had everything we wanted in a hotel stay. After relaxing a bit from the ride, we went to City Museum. Most dangerous and crazy indoor/outdoor children's/adult jungle gym there ever was. It's made of recycled material (all metal). As a child, you could stick an arm or a leg through your tunnel (made of bars) 2 or 3 stories up in the air. Over concrete! Aldo said there were so many paths to take to get to one place, a lot of them being tight spaces. An adult could get lost! Anyway, I kept Luke mainly in the ball pit for younger kids, which nobody followed the rules in. So "mama bear" was out. I felt like the over-protective mother. Everyone was letting their kids go nuts, and I wouldn't take my eyes off my child. This is where we found our souvenir cards. We were so exhausted by the end of the night. When we got back to the hotel, we said we would swim, so we did that. Luke had such a blast wearing his new floaties. And he was able to play Torpedoes with Daddy. They also had a jacuzzi which Aldo utilized for a bit. And I was worry free, weightless, and we were the only ones in the pool. :)
Best Quote of Day Three: Luke playing car game - "How many did Louis get?"
Getting super sweaty in the ball pit
Metal Mazes & Slides for Days
Our final day was more relaxed, meaning not too hard on the body… We went to the Free Science Center and learned about the St. Louis Arch and different ways to build, etc. They had a huge dinosaur that Luke was interested in. And some other cool displays. We left with plenty of time to get down to the levee to park, but there was so much construction we got lost. And made it just in time. The day was kind of dreary because it was sprinkling. Aldo said he enjoyed the sightseeing cruise, but it reminded me of something Grammy and Granddad would do. We were probably the youngest ones there. Then we headed home. Job well done.
Best Quote of Day Four: Luke on Sightseeing Tour - "Oh… I'm dying."
Arch Complete!
Learning about Bridges
More Cool Scientific Stuff
Rainy Days in St. Louis
We hadn't spent that much time together (consecutively) for a long time. Something must have been off before because I can't imagine not talking or joking, hanging out (more than watching a movie), and not missing just BEING with them for hours and hours in a row. I'm so glad we went on this trip. It was a reminder of how big of a role Family Time really is in life.
