Lebanon Hills Regional Park

We visited a park in St. Paul, MN today called Lebanon Hills Regional Park. There are miles of trails, including hiking, equestrian, and biking trails, as well as many lakes for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking.

We stopped first in the visitor center. There were the usual maps and brochures you find at a park's visitor center, and there was a large room with various activities for kids like me. On a large table sat bones, antlers, feathers, rocks, and various other natural items for touching. Another table had puzzles, a third table had paper and crayons for coloring, and there was a corner area with a few other toys.

I was quite interested in touching all the different natural items, including this skull...

...this fur...

...this turtle shell...

...and this pine cone.

I found an owl toy amongst the natural things, and I was pretty excited about that particular find. 

 We left the visitor center to walk a .83 mile loop around a small lake.

We spotted some small, pretty flowers. These are the first we've seen in the woods this spring.

I kept remarking to Mom and Dad about how tall the trees in the woods are. They're really, really tall!

Mom enjoyed snapping some photos showing the spring growth. Because of the cooler and very windy weather we've had the last couple weeks, she hasn't been able to get out to take as many pictures of blooms and budding leaves as she'd like. 

About halfway through the walk I got a little tired and asked to ride on Dad's shoulders. Mom made a mental note to put my stroller back in the car for these kinds of outings. It gets a little tiring carrying the camera bag and me together, or carrying the diaper bag and me together.

Once I got enough rest, I was ready to walk again. I collected two leaves from the path and had to show Dad.

Back by the visitor center is a small beach for swimming. Mom thought I would run right up to play in the water, but all I cared about was walking in the sand. I wanted to dig in it for a while, too, but Mom and Dad were ready to go find somewhere to eat lunch, so we left the park.

It's definitely a place that is on our list to visit again.

Gale Woods Farm

We had beautiful weather today. It was 60 degrees, with only a slight breeze in the air. Mom took advantage of such pleasant weather and took me to a farm called Gale Woods. It's a real working farm where they hold various programs for kids. It's located near Lake Minnetonka (a little to the west of the Twin Cities).

Today's event at the farm was part of Farmyard Fun Days. 

We first stopped to look at and pet some days-old chicks. Mom wanted to take this one home with her. He/she was quite interested in the camera!

Then we stopped off to pet a cow and a sheep dog. Unfortunately, Mom didn't get a chance to step away to get a picture of me with either of those animals. I was too nervous about touching them (they were much bigger than me!), and I made Mom stick by my side.

We moved on to other animals more my size: lambs. 

I had to test whether the adult sheep wool was as soft as the lamb wool.

I thought it was pretty silly when this lamb jumped up on her mom. 

Mom took me to a room with some toys and a coloring station to get a break from all the school groups visiting the farm. I was getting a little overwhelmed with a bunch of older kids running around by me. I wasted no time locating the crayons. 

After our break we headed for a walk around the outside of the barn. I stopped by the chicken coop for the third time (it's right by the door to the visitor center). I guess I like chickens.

I posed for Mom against a bale of hay.

And I tried to follow some sheep out in the pasture.

Some trees are already quite green, but this one was just beginning to bud out.

As we left the farm, I said one last goodbye to the lambs. I had a really great day!

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny visited last night and left a surprise for me.

He then left a trail of goodies going from my bedroom door to my surprise.

So, I looked out my door this morning, and what did I see?

Candy! (I was pretty excited.)

My basket was left upstairs for me to collect my candy in.

I wasted no time scooping everything up.

I was already thrilled with all the candy I found. I had no idea a new toy, some bubbles, and a new plate were waiting for me to find, too!

The Easter Bunny also set out the eggs I colored with Mom and Dad the day before.

Some plastic eggs filled with more candy were left hidden around the living room.

I had to stop mid-hunt to taste a piece of chocolate.

I carefully lined up all my candy as I collected it, keeping track of how much I got.

I don't know if Mom and Dad will let me eat all this candy by myself, but I hope they will.

Happy Easter!

A Visit with the Easter Bunny

Today, I visited the Easter Bunny. I wanted to make sure he is going to bring me some chocolate covered marshmallow candies tonight.

I was a little nervous about sitting on his lap, but after Dad took a couple pictures and Mom walked over to pick me up again, I waved and said, "Good-bye Easter Bunny!" Then I told Mom and Dad over and over again how I was brave enough to sit on his lap.

Some baby animals were also brought down from Hemker Wildlife Park for kids to see and pet. I looked at some ducks and a lamb, then I was able to pet some baby bunnies...

...and I was able to pet some chicks.

It was a little chilly and rainy, and the store was very crowded, but we had fun. 

Cooking with Evie

I really like helping in the kitchen, and Mom and Dad let me assist when they can.