Squeezing in Adventures

Last Friday there was a seminar that I have attended annually for the last few years in Indianapolis.  After some discussion, Jackie decided to take a personal day and we would make a short family trip out of it - going down Thursday night and staying for two nights.  It fits with our personalities - as we always want to try and take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves for worthwhile experiences as a family.  As there was a firefighters convention in downtown Indy (city of conventions), every hotel in the downtown area was booked, and hotels on the outskirts were more than I was initially comfortable with paying.  As a result, I continued to do some digging and found a good deal at the Fort Harrison State Park Inn - a suite room, that offered us plenty of space for the two days with Maia in tow.

On Friday, I went to my seminar as planned, and Jackie and Maia headed to the Indy Zoo, for Maia's second trip this year.  They obviously had the better the morning.  My seminar, on Medicaid, is becoming increasingly popular, and as the center probably overbooked itself with attendees, and I only got there 20 minutes early, the only seats available were some folding chairs in the very back - pushed together in sporting event style seating, making it pretty much impossible to read the materials and take notes.  But at least I know Jackie and Maia had a blast at the zoo.

[caption id="attachment_995" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Saying Helllo...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_996" align="aligncenter" width="169"] and hello...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_997" align="aligncenter" width="300"] and hello.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_999" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Elephants!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_998" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Getting ready to enjoy the dolphin show with Mommy.[/caption]

That night, we lived dangerously by going back downtown for dinner at P.F. Chang's, one of Jackie's favorite restaurants.  The food was, as usual, delicious.  But it was a good reminder of the challenges that come with entertaining a toddler in such an environment.  The evening was not quite as much fun as it could be, due to us feeling like we had to inhale our food to avoid pushing Maia too far for the day.

The next morning, we took our time getting around, and after a trip to IHOP for breakfast (that included Maia's first ever experience of having to be removed from a public place due to a meltdown), we decided to be risky once again, and on a whim decided to visit the Indianapolis Children's Museum (because, we're already down there, right?).  We arrived right at opening time, and it ended up being a good experience.  We headed up to the playscape area for kids under 5, and were one of the first 5 kids or so in the place, and had the run of it for a good 30 minutes before it started filling up quickly.  Maia got to play with some areas that she missed the previous time, and continued to immensely enjoy their climbing "pond."

[caption id="attachment_990" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Playing in the wind tunnel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_993" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Making music with Daddy.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_992" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Already gone solo.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1001" align="aligncenter" width="169"] So I put the ball here?[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1000" align="aligncenter" width="169"] And...whoosh, up it goes![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_989" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Now that's pretty cool![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_991" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Climbing to the top of the pod is always a favorite.[/caption]

Afterwards, we hit the road to start the trek back home, with Maia's 2 1/2 hour nap as proof of how wore out she was.  But a quick trip that included more time at the zoo and experiences at the museum are things we love to do; and despite the feeling of teetering close to (and occasionally falling over) the edge of toddler meltdowns, it was more good family time.

[caption id="attachment_994" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Worn out from two jammed packed days of fun.[/caption]