Fantastic Caverns!

Fantastic Caverns, first explored by a group of women in the late 1800s, is near Springfield, Missouri. It is one of 4 ride through caves in the world and the only one in the USA. It isn't massive like Carlsbad but has some beautiful formations.

The tour lasts about 60 minutes with stops to look at formations, sinkholes, and a film. At one point all the lights go out--- absolute darkness! The tourguide said three weeks in such darkness would cause blindness!

There is one huge cavern room that is called the 'auditorium'. Back in the 30s, it housed a speakeasy. Can you imagine?! In the 40s and 50s, country acts of the day performed concerts in the 'Auditorium'--- up to 1000 seats!

Talon enjoyed all but the sinkhole-- didn't care to look down it. Of course, his favorite part was riding in the tram. At the end of each stop, Talon would say, "Here we go again!". Can you can spot us in the tram? We are on the left side near the back.

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Liverpool Legends!

Yes, Yes, Yes! This was the best show ever! A highschool showchoir did a preshow act then danced in front of the stage over in the right section during the up tempo songs. We always sit on the the 2nd row in the left section so Talon has space to dance in front of the stage. When the big kids started dancing, Talon ran over to the right side of the auditorium to join in the fun! The show is interactive and works best when all the Beatlemaniacs go crazy. It wasn't long before everyone rushed the stage!

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Wanna Arm Wrestle...

Here is another new attraction (for us anyway) that we found in the farm area at SDC. The riders haul themselves to the top of the silo by rope then slide down. Sounds like a redneck joke, doesn't it! I pulled us up 4 times sans help. Talon only wanted to do the sliding part---lazy boy!

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Got Milk?

We discovered an area of SDC that we had never explored--- hard to believe, I know. It is a farm area that we previously thought only housed a thrill ride, The Giant Barn Swing. Actually, there were a few activities for little kids, too. Talon's favorite was milking the big fake cow.

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Friendly but Hungry Goats....

The goats welcomed petting this time but I think it was just a ruse to get a fabric snack. They kept nibbling and yanking on Talon's shirt and shorts. His shorts were one big goat slobber when he left the pen!

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In the Schoolhouse...

Talon still enjoys the old schoolhouse at SDC. He wishes Pre-K had slates to write on.

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Off we go...

Our first summer adventure is another pilgrimage to Branson and Silver Dollar City. WooHoo!
Talon can't wait to ride rides and I can't wait to shop at the outlet malls. I just love the corning ware store--- It has the best deals! There is actually an outlet store of the outlet store at the same mall. You don't see that everyday! I'm wondering if Jim will get tickets to the Beatle Tribute--- he held out till October last year when there was a new Ringo. There is a new Paul in the show this year....

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Planting Peppers...

Lately, seems like all we do is toil in the soil. One of Talon's favorite parts is planting. Next to watering in, that is--- He likes to accidently spray his Mama with the hose! If you are wondering why the cowboy hat, it's because his bucket hats are too small now and his caps are too hot. I flip the brim down to look like a gardening hat but it pops back up!

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Hoe a Row....

Here is Little Gardener Boy Talon trying out his new hoe from Pa. It is a real kid-size one that Pa bought at the farmstore. Talon gives it an A+ since it's so much better than the toy plastic ones that break. Talon uses it very well. His row was perfect for planting; I didn't need to tweak it at all. Pa will be so proud!

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Talon says....

This morning, I handed Talon a watering can and told him to be sure and hold it at the top of the handle so as not to spill any water. He followed after me saying, "Okay, and I'm holding it by the trunk, too".

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School's Out!!

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Daffies?

In April, our unusual bulbs bloom. These remind us of roses. I don't know the variety---the bulbs came from a mixed bushel that I planted years ago. We call them daffodils but I think they might be a paperwhite hybrid. Daffodils are scentless but these are odorific--- like paperwhites. Some folks love the perfume of paperwhite blossoms but we think they are Stinky!

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Wildflowers!

Everyone is mowing except us. We let the wildflowers bloom first!

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Salad!

T and I have two little spring garden patches full of radishes, lettuce, spinach and sugar snaps. He loves digging, planting, harvesting and eating! A wandering cow chomped the sugar snaps but they survived and just started blooming. Yay!

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Self-Portrait!

T's self-portraits always make me smile--- he draws himself curly hair!

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Two Cakes!

I can't believe my baby is 4! T was thrilled--he'd been waiting all school year for his turn. All the way to school he sang, 'Happy happy birthday, its your special day!'. T did not mind the necessity of two cakes one bit. He was able to indulge his two favorite themes: monster trucks and transformers!

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