Balloon Glow

Does a crazy spontaneity ever come over you? Provoking you to do things you wouldn't otherwise do? Alienating loved ones with your disregard for planning?

Two Fridays ago I heard something about a Hot Air Balloon Race in Forest Park. I picked the kids up after school and jumped online to see what I could see. Well the race wasn't until Saturday and we were booked solid for Saturday. But that evening there was something called the Balloon Glow where you could get up close and personal with the hot air balloons on the eve of their flight. So . . . off we went. I'd never seen a hot air balloon in the flesh (or nylon, as the case may be) and neither had the kids. I figured pizza and stupid movies could wait for another day. We jumped in the car and called Jeremy who was already at an event downtown and told him to meet us in Forest Park.

That spontaneity bug didn't stop there though. Half way downtown, sitting in unbearable traffic, the kids noticed people standing at what appeared to be a bus stop. I explained that it was the Metrolink, a public transit train that rus around and into Saint Louis. And before we knew it, we had pulled off the road, parked the car and jumped on the Metrolink to head in to the park. I'd never ridden it before either, but having some experience navigating Chicago Public Transit - I figured it couldn't be all that hard.

And we made it!! Jordan skipped, somersaulted and tumbled across the rolling hills in the parked. We were so excited to see the balloons glow!! Maybe next year we'll make it to the race.

Labor Day has come and gone

but not without a trip to the woods. (not sure why that is underlined but I can't make it go away)






We traveled to Mark Twain lake for time with family and friends, walking in the woods, and staring into fires.



We were even able to bring a bit of the woods home with us. Meet Silly Loo-Who, a very friendly snail who now lives in our kitchen.


This is just after she climbed onto Jordan's hand from the little bowl where she was kept for the better part of the day. Complete with slime trail. And here she is just getting moved into her new digs, hanging out with Sedona.

She seems to be doing well. Though I will say that we collect the strangest pets. And somehow they all end up in the kitchen! Who is in charge here? Why doesn't someone put a stop this?

A story -

Once upon a time, there was a magical place where it never rained and it was always dry. All the people who were there worked digging holes. They only got one gallon of water for a week. It was a very horrible life.

The end.


This rather uplifting story was brought to you by Jordan.