South Dakota: Rocks and Reptiles! (Part Three)

After a great first night at the cabin we were rested and ready for another adventure.  We had breakfast on the deck and it was nice not having to pack up before we headed out.  Best and I had been to Reptile Gardens on our honeymoon and knew it was a great place for hands on fun!

 First we saw a snake show and then on to the alligators.  It was the same guy doing the show that was there 6 years ago so I guess he knows what he's doing!

 This was one of the big reasons I wanted to bring the kids.  I knew Peanut would LOVE to be able to pet a real live alligator.  He's so funny now when he tells people he always adds, "it was a baby and it had it's mouth banded."  Almost like a "don't try this at home kids" warning...

 And of course Sissy needed some bragging rights too so we made sure she got to get her hands on something just as impressive.  This Boa Constrictor fit the bill and his mouth was not banded...

 The kids split a bison burger for lunch and said it was delicious! 

 I had totally forgotten about this part of the gardens and it was actually my favorite this trip.  So cool to watch these giant tortoises lumber about and get to see them up close.  Bree kissed one.  Does that surprise you?  It didn't me in the least.  She loves everyone and everything. 

 In addition to giant tortoises, scary snakes, and fierce alligators they had some of the most beautiful tropical birds.

Not to mention some gorgeous orchids and other flowers that reminded us of Grandma Sharon!

After a half day of reptiles Sis was pretty tired and Best was kind enough to stay with her in the van while Peanut and I conquered another first for him.  Cave tour!  Oh, and don't feel sorry for Sis.  She was snuggled up in the van with plenty of snacks and air conditioning watching her favorite episodes of Daniel Tiger!  Peanut was not a bit hesitant about going on the tour.  He felt confident that he could do it and I knew he could too.  All 444 steps. Pardon my pictures, cave photography is a skill I have yet to acquire and we were pretty much moving the whole time...

He was so interested and asked lots of questions and kept up with the group.  About half way through the tour the guide told our group that if we were tired we could wait where we were and rest and rejoin the tour on the way back.  Peanut immediately looked at me and said, "We are NOT going to do that."  Smile.

 Cave Selfie

We had fun talking about what it would have been like to discover such a cave. 

The tour was great and if you talk to Sissy she will tell you she went too (which Peanut will quickly correct "She only went in the gift shop").  I have a feeling it won't be long before she is going on cave tours too, but in the meantime it was such a special date for just Peanut and me.  I was telling Best that although sometimes it feels like his childhood is whizzing by (and I get a bit emotional that it won't last forever) it's experiences like this that show me what fun it is to have a big kid in the family now.  So many new experiences for us to share. 
   After all that we actually got back to the cabin around 2 and we had a relaxing afternoon before another fun surprise!

 Although we had done pinatas at friend's birthdays, we had never had our very own!  Peanut and Sis were very excited, even though we tricked them into thinking it was full of vegetables, ha!  We said that since we had been having so many treats on vacation that we wanted it to be fun but healthy.  Peanut bought it hook, line, and sinker and was even optimistic about it: "That's ok because I like carrots!" What a great kid. 

 But look what was really inside.  He was pleasantly surprised and admitted our joke was pretty funny.  We just needed about 10 more kids to share the loot!

So four days in we are still going strong.  Amazingly we got these two to bed on time again and we were fresh the next morning for our last full day in South Dakota!  Coming up next...

Mount Rushmore! (South Dakota Part Deaux)

 

This photo is definitely a favorite from the trip.  I just love his swagger as he enters the park.  He is such a happy, friendly, curious child and places like this fascinate him.  He was pointing out the flags he recognized, talking to other visitors, and asking lots of questions.  I'm so glad that he has already developed an interest in history.  I know he will have an important place in our future!

And Sister loves to wave at and talk to people too!  She wanted to make sure the other visitors didn't miss the carvings in the mountain so she was pointing them out to everyone.  "Look right there!" she kept saying.

Yay! Everyone is looking at the camera and you can see the presidents too!  The nicest lady offered to take this picture for us and then saw us later and offered again at a different spot.  I am always so appreciative when people offer and I want to do the same for others.  It's important to have these family pics with Mom and Dad in them.

After we toured the visitors center we took the long hike to the sculptors studio.  Lots of steps, but the kids did great and it was fun to see the presidents from different vantage points like this little nook we found.

Sissy on the steps.  She wanted to "do it myself".  So we were a bit behind the boys but we made it. 

The Sculptors Studio was so cool.  We learned that the majority of the mountain was "carved" with dynamite!  And the air conditioning was nice for a break before we tackled the return trip.  Sis did a little less walking this time and Best did a little more carrying.  Thanks Dad!

Seeing it was Peanut's 5th birthday that day we figured he was ready for a grown up adventure!  I thought he was so brave as he eagerly climbed aboard the ski lift to go on the Alpine Slide. 

They had so much fun!  I think next time we will have a picture of Sis and I racing down!

After a quick trip to Walmart to stock up on "camping supplies" we made it to the cabin.  It was located in a beautiful forested area but once inside we were definitely not roughing it!

The balloons and banners are in honor of Peanut's birthday.  Best set it up so the cabin would be decorated and cake and ice cream waiting for us.  It was such a great idea but didn't surprise me a bit because that's just the sort of creative thoughtful man he is.  Smile.

The tablecloth was a hockey rink and there was even a hockey puck piñata!  All Minnesota Wild theme and we saved some of the décor which now hang in Peanut's room.  The cabin itself was gorgeous and for less than 200 a night we felt like it was a steal!  Great planning ahead on Best's part.

 We ate a lot of cake in those three days...

And we saved a gift for the cabin, a remote controlled police car.  We had so much fun making obstacle courses for it!

 We keep the kids on bedtime schedules when we travel which works well for our family.  After a full day they are ready for bed at 7 and Best and I are ready for some alone (together) time.  We enjoyed some of that time in this private hot tub on the deck. 

Later we dried off and I enjoyed some quiet time on the deck with a new book and Best watched some of the Stanley Cup.  Our first three days done and a great time had by all.  Ok, stayed tuned for more fun!