Children's Museum Meeting Long Distance Friends

Today we walked around downtown Chatt a lot and then went to the Chattanooga Children's Museum. I've got to admit this Museum makes the Atlanta one seem like nothing and I am very envious of those who are closer to it. Another exciting part of this trip was that I got to meet up with a friend I'd only met online before this. She was due with her daughter around the same time I had E but had her 3 weeks earlier and her son is about 4 weeks older than J so we have a lot in common. She was even sweeter in real life and C, J, and E made some new friends. I can't wait till she gets to visit us in Atlanta next :)

Rock City

Chattanooga Zoo

This goat stole the map out of my pocketAnd now the Dinosaurs:

Dinosaurs and a Rock Wonderland

Today we started the day with an awesome breakfast at a local favorite Bluegrass Grill which was wonderful and I totally will recommend to all visiting the area. Then we braved the heat to go the Chattanooga Zoo. It was really fun though smaller than the Atl one. Something they had that the Atl one didn't was Dinosaurs! Robotic dinos that is. Though to my 3 and 2 year olds they were cool and overwhelming either way. C was nervous around them, but J was head over heels waving to them and telling me which ones liked him because they made noises or moved toward him when he went up to them lol. The rest of the zoo was a success too and the kids loved seeing the monkeys and parrots that reminded them of Rio, an owl that reminded them of Ami, and the leopards, peacocks, and other various creatures that were not shy at all.

We were pretty worn out after the Zoo but not ready to head back to the hotel yet. So we took a drive up to Rock City. I have a bit of a fear of heights I hinted to yesterday when recalling the Incline Railway so I'd planned to avoid Rock City but today got the guts to check it out and I think this may be my favorite part of this trip. It was beautiful and perfect warmth and coolness since we went later in the day.

Lots of gorgeous trails and formations, amazing views of several states, beautiful waterfall, and a story book village in the caves. The kids loved it all. Only complaint would be the swinging bridge which wouldn't have been as bad for me if some inconsiderate idiots hadn't been behind us. Everything else was wonderful.

Also I'm proud to say that I with Ergo on me and E inside were able to fit through "Fat Man's Squeeze" a tiny crack between some rocks which C and J could reach both sides with their hands without raising their arms at all. Glad I made it through and didn't try that one a few months from now lol.

It was enchanting and definitely the perfect end to a wonderful day. To add to the perfection Daddy bought me 6 wooden roses before we left which I love :)

Pictures in following posts

First Full Day in Chatt

We began our Vacation with a trip to Ruby Falls (which I did not realize was quite so long a rock or so far underground but the kids loved), followed by gemstone panning, and a trip on the incline railway (which I didn't realize was that high till I got on it but still enjoyed overall despite my fear of heights). E slept in the Ergo for most of our adventures but always woke up just in time for the best parts (the Falls itself and the top of the Incline Railway) and had loads of fun "helping" C and J look for gemstones and trying to take a swim in the water trays lol.

Here's some pics from out underground adventure, finding riches, and ascending to new heights :P

First Movie, First Pool, First Trip of Summer 2011

Today we came up to Chattanooga to officially begin our early "Summer" vacation. I know it's not technically Summer yet but with 80 degree temps and hubby having some time off it is for our family.

We got here around 2 and spent a lot of time just exploring. After checking in at the hotel we had to make a Walmart run to get breakfast stuff, snacks, and swim suits for the kids since I forgot theirs.

When we got back we ate a really good burger place Cheeburger Cheeburger (my veggie burger was wonderful :) ) and then fit in some firsts to start off the trip.

First :P we went to the theater to see Rio. This was C, J, and E's first movie theater experience actually other than the Deepo show at the Atlanta Aquarium for the older two, and they were much more impressed with this. Also I must note I forgot it was Monday but this is the PERFECT time to go to the cinema with kids. The theater audience was us and 1 more kid and adult. Despite less people though the kids were great. They loved the story and music. E seemed to enjoy the music and bright colors too though she luckily slept through the first half. There was a couple points I questioned some choices of the writers on certain jokes or one song but overall it was a lot of fun.

Also I must go a little off topic and say I was not impressed with the commercials for upcoming movies. It seems like there's a lot of "kids movies" that are going too far on the innuendos. I get they may be wanting to appeal to adults too and maybe I'm just a prude but hubby and I were looking at each other during the previews several time with that specific look of "Did they really just say/do that?!?!" and needless to say our kids will not be going to see the majority of those. I just don't get what's up with the movie industry right now they feel that is necessary comparing to the major films of my youth like Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, etc. which were truly G/PG.

Anyway end rant and back to the day. After the movie we went back to the hotel and after asking for what felt like all day I finally got to tell C and J "Yes we can go swimming now." This was E's first time in the pool and in a bathing suit and though she didn't know what to think at first she warmed up to the concept quickly and loved it. C and J both can swim a little but we brought their life jackets for this first time in so they could both be a little more independent. They loved being able to swim/dog paddle/tread water to chase each other, Daddy, and me and E. I'm sure we'll be going back again soon.

I'll add photos later but need to get to bed now. Hubby has hang gliding bright and early then lots of family fun planned for the rest of the day! Hope yall are having a great week!

Just thinking on it now, I kept forgetting it was Monday all day long, maybe that's the sign of a truly great Monday-You don't realize it is a Monday :)