Meet Me In St. Louis: Part Two

The second half of our four day trip started out with breakfast downstairs at the Eclipse. We were the only ones there for most of the meal until an older gentleman came in. He sat down and hummed to himself while he waited for his company to join him. Adorable.

Ruby ate in her pajamas. Adorable.

Sebastian lost his second tooth, Ruby took a three hour nap with Brett so that I could go shopping on the Loop, I found an old locket with the photos of an older couple and two vintage sweaters, wanted to buy everything in City Sprouts but settled on one thing for each of the kids, hit up Blueberry Hill to get family photos in their photo booth, had a conversation with Sebastian about how sad he was that Daddy had to leave again, watched Ruby charm the front desk workers, and ran in to a blog reader on our way across the street to eat at Pi. She told us they were going to see The Civil Wars play right next door. We hadn't even seen their name in lights that afternoon but it still felt special being that close to a big show.

We ate with the Reeves again and I had my first taste of Chicago style pizza. I'm hooked. Ruby and Lincolm (they're only one day apart!) took turns in our laps while Diane and I talked about home births and Downton Abbey. Emma told me how much fun we were going to have at the Magic House and Stella let us use her special stick pencil to entertain Ruby.

After dinner I took a stinky toddler back to the hotel while Brett took Sebastian to Pin-Up Bowl for one game because that's all he wanted to do that day. Staying at the Moonrise was the best idea ever. Where else can you do so much and hardly get in a car? Good job, Brett.

The next morning we checked out of our fun hotel and headed to the Magic House. We had two hours but needed about ten. There was so much to explore and the kids were having a great time interacting with the exhibits in each room. A day off of school meant there were tons of kids but we didn't lose either of ours so it was a win.

We had to drive Brett to the airport after the Magic House but knew it would only be three more weeks (ish) until we saw him again for good! Woohoo! We're almost there! A quick detour to Trader Joe's and a pit stop at Indian Harvest rounded off the end of our vacation weekend.

Indian Harvest was an experience in and of itself. I'd seen it from the side of the road a few times and was determined to find the exit and explore it a bit on the way home. We got there right before sunset and were greeted by one of the owners before we even got out of the car. She wanted to let me know there was an entry fee even if I only wanted to take photos of the outside. If I wasn't so committed I might've been put off but reassured her we weren't just there to gawk.

She opened up the first teepee and led us in. It was covered wall-to-wall with Native American jewelry, pipes, arrows, artwork, blankets, knives, arrowheads, and a variety of other non-kitschy items. It was beautiful. We chatted a bit, I tried on some turqouise jewelry, the kids ran in circles with their arrows, and then she took a picture for us. I'm not sure what all else is offered but I feel like we probably got the short tour as she encouraged me not to let the kids get close to the second teepee where the dogs were barking. Not as user friendly as I would've expected but I imagine it's hard to run a business like this and not feel a bit crusty about it. Overall, I'm glad we checked that curiosity off the list.

All in all, we were so thankful to get to break up this last five week stretch without Brett at home with us with this four day weekend vacation in St. Louis. It was refreshing and plenty of good memories were made.

We've only got three more weeks in Springfield so I've got my head down and my to do list out at all times. I'm hoping we can balance out all of the things that need to happen logistically to get our family to Colorado Springs with some precious friend time spread throughout. I think it's finally starting to settle in my heart that we're leaving. It's a lot of change for a girl who likes change in small doses but I'm going to take it as it comes and hold things loosely.

What would you do if you only had three weeks left where you live? Ready, go.

xo,

Rachel

 

 

Comments

[Mama Smith]

Your trip looks like so much fun with great food and sights- I can't imagine surviving for weeks without my husband so how nice to be able to break it up. I'm not good with change so if I was moving all I would do would be to hang out with friends and obsess about how to arrange things in my new place. Springfield sounds like a fun place from reading your blog (who knew!) but I love Colorado Springs and you guys will do great. Good luck!

[AlliT]

It looks like you guys had a blast!! Too bad we didn't run into y'all!! We were at the Loop for The Civil Wars concert.... I pray for continued sanity and a very smooth transition for your family in the next few weeks, months and the remainder of the year... Good luck momma!! :)

[margauxloraine]

Ahh! St. Louis is my home town, it's so nice to see pictures and hear people talking about how lovely it is. The Magic House is about a ten minute walk from my parents house. I'm so glad you have fun in STL. I'm sending good thoughts your way!

[Tasha]

I've been a lurker for a while now, but had to finally comment today. Your STL sounds almost identical to the first half of our summer vacation last year. We LOVED the Moonrise and couldn't believe how toddler-friendly it was! We also ate at the same places. What a small world. I wish your family all the best in Colorado Springs. It's a beautiful place. If I were leaving Springfield I would be sure to hit up Relics and The Twisted Taco, two of our faves, before I left!

[Skye]

Enjoy your last few weeks in Springfield! If I were moving I'd make sure to visit all my favorite places, eat out a lot at my favorite restaurants, and take a lot of walks through my neighborhood and my city. :)

[Stacy]

I was the blog reader you ran into, and this my very rare comment even though I read your blog everyday. :-) It was great to meet you and I'm glad you had such a good trip to St. Louis. You're family is beautiful and Sebastian was so adorable that he was so excited to show me his missing tooth even though he didn't have a clue who I was and neither did you. ;-) I hope you have a safe and stressless move to Colorado!

[Emily]

Love the Magic House! I grew up in STL and I can remember many trips there with my mom! The zoo and City Museum in STL are also FABULOUS!! Hubby and I are making a trip back home in February and plan to hit up the city museum and do the classic Anheuser Bush tour!! Sounds like you had a blast on your trip!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Ohhh my goodness I love you guys! Looks like you had a lot of fun :)

[Sarah Rhodes]

I know how that big of a change and leaving such close friends feels like it rips your heart out! In the few weeks before we left Nashville we made a Nashville Bucket List and wrote down the top 20 places we had to re-visit (or places we'd never been but talked about going to) before we moved. I'm so glad we did! We got one last stop at all of our favorite date spots, and then we got to act like tourists and see things we would have missed out on. And naturally took plenty of photos. :) I hope the next few weeks go smoothly for you and that the change isn't too hard!! xo

[Megan Lane]

aww looks like a memorable family trip! so many fun activities! on an unrelated note, i realllly like that flowery dress you're wearing & your hair looks so cute in a top bun!

[mandie @ moxiemandie]

I'd make sure to watch every single sunset of my western sky and get to Santa Fe each weekend. :)

I hope your remaining weeks aren't stressful. I'll wave hi as you drive by Albuquerque. ;)

[Kristin]

Looks like a super fun weekend indeed. If i only had 3 weeks left here i guess i'd be dashing around trying to get rid of stuff and pack. I'd also hit up some of the favorite vintage thrifting spots to get some last minute goodies, of course!

[ana]

What an awesome trip you had! I your moving goes smoothly. If I was in your shoes, I would spend as much time with my family and close friends, and take my girls to their favorite places in town.

[rubyellen]

if i had three weeks left, i would eat at our favorite places every night and invite our friends to join in! xoxo

[mariechke]

I'm pretty sure that if I went on that trip of yours, my pics would look nothing like yours!
so much talent in one person... mmmhmmm I'm a little envious ;)

If I were to leave the place where I live now, I'd take loads of pictures... of everything (even the little corner shop :) )... well you already have allot of them I guess! spend some times in my favourite places... maybe discover an other restaurant or 2 ;)
and I would spend loads of time with my friends!!!

[Abby]

I would visit all those places I've wanted to check out but never had the time. I'd also make sure to visit my favorite spots one last time, spend as much time as possible with close friends, and enjoy my last few weeks as much as possible. Good luck with your move!

[ruthie]

Looks like so much fun in STL! Hope you enjoy your last few weeks in Springfield. No matter where you roam, a piece of your heart will always stay at home.

[Zane]

beautiful photos

[Sarah W]

It looks like you had a fabulous trip! I would have been bummed to miss Civil Wars, but you guys had lots of fun anyway. If I knew I were moving in 3 weeks I would try the local creamery I've been meaning to try but haven't gotten around to (apparently they make excellent bleu cheese, one of my faves).

[Sarah Rhodes]

oh girl, PS. DOWNTON ABBEY. Gah... so good.

[Molly Monkeys]

love the flower-leg-outfit of your girl.
looks like you had a very good time.

thanks for sharing!!

xo
mollymonkeys

[Kristin W]

I would document my favorite parts of my home, yard and favorite places in photos. I'd also photograph places where funny or not-funny-at-the-time-but-funny-now incidents occurred, too. Kind of like the way Michael Scott proposed to Holly on The Office (if you're a fan!)

Good luck with the move! I hope you get to enjoy every minute of the next three weeks! :)

[Emily]

I used to live in St Louis (very close to the loop) so I loved seeing pictures of my old stomping grounds!
I would spend as much time as possible with my friends in the town I was leaving... That and possibly have a little going away party. Enjoy every minute!

[Chloe]

Awe this looks like soo much fun! I am so glad that you got to see Brett even for a weekend! The move is going to be a big change, but your family will be so happy! Make sure to visit all of your favorite little places in between working on that to-do list! Wishing you the very best!