Cherokee Park

Last week when we left the zoo I decided to take side roads home instead of getting on the interstate. 

There are so many pretty neighborhoods that I enjoy seeing and it is seldom that I take the time to drive through one of them.

While wandering our way home, we stumbled upon a back entrance to Cherokee Park, a very large park close to downtown.  We meandered through the park driving past many play areas and fun things to see and do.

Grant really liked this old car that pulled into the parking lot while we were there.

The kids finally talked me into stopping here for a quick romp on the playground equipment before heading on home.

A new playground set that they've never been on before ranks right up there with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's in their minds!

This structure is located right beside the playground.

It is called Hogan's Fountain Pavilion.

True to the motto of some people in the metro area to "Keep Louisville Weird" (not sure what that's all about) this structure is quite strange.

There's an interesting article on the history of this pavilion on wikipedia.  After being at the park last week, I got curious and investigated the significance of the structure.

The roof on it is in bad shape.  If you read Reader's Digest, there was actually an article in either the April or May issue that mentioned a grant that was divided among several groups based on the number of votes each group received.  Louisville received one of these grants to help finance the restoration of this pavilion.

There, now you know.

Don't you feel better knowing that?

Slimy Friends

Sorry for the bad pictures.....no time to fix them today.

Lots going on, but I want to post pictures when I catch up.  Until then, here's some from last week that I downloaded and never posted......oh well....

David found a new pet for Grant the other morning in the garage.

It was pretty much love at first sight.

Grant played with him and petted him quite a while that morning before we decided to set him free in the front yard.

Grace was not a bit enamored with the new pet.  She opted to view the release of the pet from the safety of the front door......

See ya later slimy!

Thanks for stopping by!

That was a close call.  Most slimy little creatures do not escape with their life when Grant gets his hands on them.

Just stuff

School is still in session thanks to many days of snow this winter...

so kids are still studying....

Do you see Emily's study partner?

That's either Kitty or Bella cozied up on her lap while she studies.

These guys have become best friends lately.

Grant told me yesterday that 'Dad is gooder than' I am.

Let's see if he still feels that way the next time he gets sick in the middle of the night!

I'll bet I'm his favorite then.

Doesn't that seem just a wee bit unfair?

Here's the horse stable being constructed in the middle of our living room.

I always knew that stack of books from the library would be good for something someday.

They say books stimulate the imagination....

I'm doubting this is what they meant.

Meet the contractor in charge of the new construction site.....

He's got a very diverse crew working for him.

Grant has been really into playing with his Rescue Heroes lately.  It brings back many memories of John playing with these same guys a few years ago.

Grace's newest passions include reading everything she can get her hands on and.....

dolls......lots of dolls.

She has resurrected Emily's old dolls from the closet and attic and now has multiple babies she cares for quite faithfully.

It makes me glad we maxed out at twins!

The real zoo

Last Thursday we went to the zoo.  It was a warm sunny day (quite unusual around here this spring), and we decided to go enjoy ourselves.

The first thing on our 'to do' list at the zoo is to play in the fountain.  Of course the zoo is so much more enjoyable to see if you start the day soaking wet.

They did.

I didn't.

After the fountain has been thoroughly enjoyed and we are pretty much soaked to the skin, we move on to the carousel.

I consider this a spin cycle for our clothes.  A good stiff breeze while whirling round and round helps dry off the previously soaked clothes a bit.

There are plenty of animals to play on at the zoo

in addition to the real animals we admire along the way.

This guy was putting on quite a show for us.  He had two lady lion friends in with him that morning.  I think he was trying to impress them.

We took a little (pretend) safari trip....

We monkeyed around in the gorilla forest....

Playing with the interactive displays is always a good way to kill some time.

The new seal and sea lion display is fantastic....

The new polar bear exhibit is AWESOME!

Grace and Grant were engrossed watching the bear swim above them....

Of course, Mr. Goose was good for a little lunchtime entertainment at the outdoor ampitheater.

he was really interested in the pbj sandwiches we had packed for lunch.

It was a very rare hot day that we went.  I let the kids wear swimsuits so they could play in the splash park before we left.

HOWEVER....

just as we were entering the splash park, the lifeguards announced that it was closed because someone had pooped on the swim deck. 

Why am I not surprised?

Remember THIS little episode  last year at our pool?

We are apparently cursed.

We opted to not wait for them to clean the park.  We left to come home instead.

Even though the kids didn't get to play at the splash park, I think they had a good time.