Once the snow from the previous storm melted and it was in the 50s outside, we decided to call it Spring and go on our first hike of the season. Little did we know that 50s did NOT mean warm, due to the absolutely crazy wind.
We went to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan. It's a super cool canyon that, according to the website, is "named for its colorful clays that were collected by American Indians to make paint. Brightly colored bands, caused by oxidized iron compounds, are found in varying amounts throughout the many different layers of clay."
To get there, we had to walk down a semi-boring dirt trail into the canyon, and the wind out on the open plain was crazy. We all bundled up and just pushed through. You can't see the wind in the photos, obviously, but you can see everyone hunching their shoulders and keeping their hands in their pockets to protect themselves from the cold.
Finally, after a walk that wasn't actually long but felt like it because of the wind, we started to get a glimpse of the canyon.
The view from above was cool, but it got way cooler when we got down inside. Honestly, I took a lot of photos, and I'm not going to provide commentary for all of them. So here's a photo dump.
Carter was not a fan of the wind, which was a little better down in the canyon but still pretty cold, and he did a lot of crying.
At one point, he just sat down defeated. It was both funny and sad.
He did perk up a bit when we saw this bunny though.
We finally decided not to torture Carter any longer, so we snapped a family photo...
... and then began our walk back to the car. Daniel got this funny video of poor Carter as we did.
For weeks after, Carter would mention this hike and how he didn't like it. We made sure to differentiate between this hike, which was just too cold, and other hikes, which he did like because they weren't cold. The experience hasn't stopped him from going on other hikes since, so I call it good.
March also brought free cone day at Dairy Queen, so of course we had to go.
We also realized that our zoo membership was going to expire at the end of March, so we decided to head there for one last family trip. The kids always love the area with the fish, particularly the tank with the big, creepy ones.
This time there was an employee with a snake that people could pet. Aubrey was cautious but interested, and Carter wanted nothing to do with it.
Near the tiger enclosure is this weird little platform with a net in front of it. The kids and I decided to pretend to be tigers. Or maybe just I did... haha.
When we went to the zoo the time before this, we got a photo of Aubrey with the elephant ears. This time it was Carter's turn. I had to hold him up so he could reach it.
The monkeys were out that day, and the kids had fun watching them swing around.
And for the first time ever, the train was actually running while we were there! Carter was so excited!
Family shot on the train!
Carter made a lot of funny faces while the train was going. I particularly liked this one.
We also managed to get some good time in with the gorillas. We often skip them because they're further away, but we wanted to hit everything this time. I'm glad we did!
We kept telling ourselves it was Spring, despite the fact that there was unmelted snow on the ground. Still, if the temperature got anywhere above 45 degrees, we jumped at the chance to get outside.
To finish up the month, we went to the Children's Museum with Nana. It was a chillier day, so it was nice to be inside but still out of the house. We started with a ride in the fire truck. Both kids got a chance to drive.
And while Carter inspected the hoses...
... Aubrey took a slide down the pole.
From there we went to the veterinarian station, where the kids got to take care of some sick puppies. Aubrey got really into it.
Then it was Carter's turn to get really into something--water! Boy LOVES to splash. After doing whatever this is...
... he parked himself next to the long pool and dropped rocks in over and over again.
Aubrey explored other things, like this water shooter thing...
... and this bubble making thing.
... and Carter just kept dropping rocks.
In the end, he was rather wet.
When we could finally pry Carter away from the water room, we headed upstairs, where he was very interested in rearranging these light pegs.
Aubrey, on the other hand, was all about the wind tunnel.
Both kids played together for awhile sending the balls up the tubes...
... and down the ramps.
Then we headed to the bubble station, where Carter got some help from Nana.
Aubrey actually made some good-sized bubbles on her own.
I don't know why, but I love the look on Carter's face here.
Anyway, Nana had to leave after the bubbles, and I made the mistake of not making the kids leave at the same time. I decided to be nice and let them have more fun. We went to the play kitchen area, which they hadn't been to yet. And then all hell broke loose.
Aubrey started getting territorial about some fake fruit, and when I intervened, she screamed at the top of her lungs. Everyone stared. I said it was time to go. She had to be dragged. We finally made it close-ish to the exit, and she bolted out a side door and into the courtyard. I, like an idiot, left Carter and dropped the diaper bag and coats to chase her. She ran all throughout the place, eventually ending up in the dining area, where she pulled chairs from the tables to put them in my way and slow me down (and they were metal and loud). I finally got her but then didn't know where Carter was. A security guard came over and asked if I needed help. Thankfully, Carter showed up. (I really wish I'd stayed with him and ignored Aubrey running away. *sigh*) Then both kids climbed into a high play structure and refused to come out. I yelled. People stared. I threatened to leave them there and actually said, "Call CPS. I don't care!" It was NOT a proud moment for me. I somehow got them out to the car, and I spoke basically not at all the whole drive home. I did cry though. It was one of the worst public outburst situations I've experienced as a parent. So embarrassing and exhausting and defeating and... you get the idea. I hid out in my room for a few hours when we got home, and Aubrey made me an "I'm sorry" card. I still have it.
Long story short, I will never take the kids somewhere like that alone ever again. Anyway, moving on!
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