Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Kansas City Weekend!

Kieran getting his shoes in preparation for his "Day Out With Thomas!"

There were a number of different activities at the Thomas event- one of which was a large tent filled with various train tables, tracks and trains. We were a bit worried how Kieran would do with the over stimulation, heat and extreme sharing but surprisingly he handled it pretty well and never melted down once.



The entire weekend was sunny and in the mid 90's with high humidity but thanks to a lot of shade opportunities, a light breeze and the odd frozen treat, we managed just fine without becoming overheated or too crabby ;)

Here's Kieran on Daddy's lap enjoying his ride on Thomas the Train. He was a bit overwhelmed when we first boarded, but once the train got going he was fine and loved every minute of it!

A wild hair-do thanks to sunscreen and a lot of sweat! His mouth is covered in frosting from the melted animal cookies we brought along as snacks- not the best choice on my part ;)


A sweaty little conductor in the "video tent" resting after his big train ride.

I don't fully understand a little boy who would rather watch a Thomas video (that he could see at home) rather than jump in a bounce house or just run around.

Kieran and daddy in front of the life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine!
We left the train event around 12:30ish and Kieran slept for the next hour and half in the car very soundly- he was wiped! We had a late lunch at the T-Rex Cafe in the Legends Shopping center on the KS side of KC. Kieran was a bit unsure of the GIANT moving and roaring dinosaur that greets guests at the entrance, but once he was seated at a booth with mommy and daddy he started to really enjoy the ambiance!

Mommy and Kieran waiting for our late lunch at the T Rex Cafe.

One very cool little dude!

Dad looks pretty sporty in Kieran's conductor's hat!

One of the coolest parts of the T Rex Cafe was the interactive bit in which children can play at being a paleontologist and dig for bones in the sand!


In the play area of T-Rex Cafe there were these neat little sand-filled tunnels that Kieran absolutely LOVED! He spent over and hour running back and forth in the tunnels pretending bats were after him and trying to get the "safe" cave room- too funny and so sweet!

Of course Kieran wanted mommy to truly experience all the sand cave had to offer so I crawled around as he led the way ;)

In addition to lots of great sand and fake bats, there were beautiful rocks and crystals decorating the walls and ceilings.
After our exciting Friday with Thomas and at the T-Rex cafe, we spent the evening and night with Julia and her daughter Hannah. Julia was a very gracious host and we enjoyed our time visiting and snacking! I was so surprised that Kieran actually slept through the night in a new house on a pallet on the floor- what a little trooper! The next day we all went to the KC Zoo. Here the kids are playing puzzles and running around in a kid area, waiting for the zoo to open.

A yummy yogurt-pop before going to see the animals!

Kieran was pretty impressed with the polar bear exhibit :)

Kieran ran right over to this little window ledge and hopped right up- so cute with mommy's favorite animal- the red panda!

The kids enjoying the rocks overlooking the free-range kangaroos!

If you look in the background, you will see a kangaroo- they had the run of the zoo like the squirrels only much bigger and stranger!

A sweaty little boy enjoys his second "train' ride on the zoo tram.

After much deliberation and switching around, Kiearn finally decided on the giraffe for his carousel ride.

There was a very cool children's area with climbing stations, slides and lots of fun animals- KP really loved the slide- as long as daddy went along for the ride ;)

Daddy barely fit in the tunnel!

Kieran playing on an outdoor jungle gym at the zoo.


Kieran on the way back home playing with his T-Rex toy and a Kung Fu Panda action figure from McDonalds- yes, mommy finally relented and let him get a happy meal!