Toledo Trip

We spent July 2-7 in Toledo, visiting Todd's family and enjoying some of our favorite places there. We went to the Imagination Station on Wednesday, where we enjoyed the travelling exhibit, "Grossology," with interactive activities like a walk-in nose that sneezes on you, a digestive system slide, and a skin lesions climbing wall! We also revisited old favorites, like the Little Kidspace preschool kids' area, simulator ride, and hurricane chamber.**On Thursday, the 4th, we went to the zoo, where the animals were even more entertaining than usual; the polar bear cub twins were wrestling with each other, while their mother jumped into the tank and played with a floating toy right beside the glass; the baby giraffe was off by itself, trying to reach the leaves of a small tree with its long purple tongue; a chimpanzee sat right next to the glass and stared at us while it ate. We also enjoyed the Walkabout exhibit, which included an adorable 9-month-old wallaby!**On Thursday evening, Karen said Sarah and Tommy were coming over to go to the neighborhood fireworks with us. However, we had no idea that they were bringing "everybody"! Aunt Mary and Frank, who had just driven up from Georgia that day, arrived with Courtney, David and Baby David (now 2). Shortly after, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tommy came over with their sons, including their oldest, Derek, who was visiting from Colorado for the holiday with his wife and one-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. She, Emma and David were sizing each other up while I wondered how Emma got to be such a giant! Then we walked over to the neighborhood park 2 blocks away, where the kids played on the playground and ran around while we waited for the fireworks to start. We had a great time, and the fireworks were spectacular!**On Friday, at Karen's suggestion, we went to Penny's for family pictures (see link, https://viewimages.jcpportraits.com/sharealbum/sharealbumlist?rndId=AwMIBARGXQ%3D%3D&uId=BQkJBQRGXA%3D%3D In the evening Todd, Emma and I went to a Mud Hens game. Emma enjoyed seeing her favorite mascots, Muddy and Muddonna, and she even got them to sign her Muddonna shirt! She also got a picture with the Rugrats (there as a part of the 90s night theme) even though she didn't know who they were! We also had front-row seats to the fireworks after the game!**On Saturday, we went to Sarah and Tommy's house for a get-together. We were supposed to have a cookout, but it was raining all day, so we had a "cook-in" instead. No one really cared, though...we were just happy to get to see so many friends and family. Emma enjoyed being surrounded by other kids (a rare event as an only child), and she especially enjoyed playing with her cousin Lily, who will also be starting Kindergarten this fall.**On Sunday we had lunch with Karen at a Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza restaurant downtown (delicious), then visited the book store before heading home in the evening. Just think, a trip we originally planned mostly as a visit to Grandma Karen turned out to be a mini-vacation and a family reunion!