Sadly, the state of our country and economy does not bode well for most families to travel these days. We made the best of things for our kids' school Spring Break week and tried to have lots of local, inexpensive fun. Our first stop was to our favorite local zoo. The kids always love going and getting to pet and feed some of the animals too. There is a lot of interactive fun there. In the summer, we can't wait to go to the awesome splash park too. It is seriously the best one I've ever experienced!
First we stopped for lunch at a cute little 50's style diner. This chain has been around a long time and used to be called "Andy's" and specialized in cheesesteaks. Later, it changed names to Hwy. 55 but still has the cheesesteaks and other signature foods. I remember growing up eating at one at our local mall. My sweet North Carolina friend now owns two of these restaurants in her hometown. I eat at our local one here and think of her. The kids loved getting their food served in these cute hot rod cars.
Miss Maggie loved her car too!
The kids and I were trying to see the animals that were hiding that day.
This poor Grizzly bear looked very thin and hungry after waking from a long hibernation.
Brody trying to get a picture with the lazy lion who proceeded to immediately get up and walk down out of view. How rude! Ha!
One picture with these kids as the lion walks away.
Riding the carousel is always one of our favorite treats.
Sweet babies on the carousel.
Miss Maggie loves her daddy!
My younger boys still love Mommy though.
Mattox loved feeding the lorakeets. Those poor birds get fed so much, but they happily oblige. It runs through them fast anyway. Haha!
Brody has a big heart for animals.
Miss Maggie had to get in on the action too.
Grayson also has a gentle spirit with animals despite him usually being our rougher kid.
Learning to milk a cow together.
And petting and brushing the goats. Mattox is so gentle and caring!
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| Brody loves all animals. |
Even Maggie was so gentle with the little goats.
Enjoying the little petting zoo together.
The next stop was the choo choo train...a big request from Mattox.
Grayson had been pouting a lot during the day, but he finally gave us some smiles on the train.
Daddy took our picture from outside the train car.
Mattox wanted a special picture with the train. He has been very talkative about wanting to go on some "real" adventures to ride a real train and a real airplane. Those adventures will hopefully happen soon for him.
Usually Daddy does these pictures on the various statues around the zoo, but I got in this time.
Checking out the giant tortoises late in the day.
Maggie loves her biggest brother and twin.
We didn't get to the giraffes until just before closing, but I always love to visit them. They are my favorite!
We got a family picture here!
Our second adventure of Spring Break week was to take a family hike on the Historic Palmetto Trail that crosses a historic train trestle bridge through the historic old town of Peak, South Carolina. There were so many treasures to find on our short hike.
The trail runs from the towns of Peak to Prosperity. We only walked a short distance through Peak.
We crossed the Broad River on the bridge. When this train trestle was still in use, this bridge was about the only way to cross this river from one side of the state to the other for many miles. A thriving little railroad town developed at this spot on the river. Sadly, that town is very small today, but there is still a thriving little community with a cute local drug store near the old train station.
How many turtles can you see on those logs? We counted at least 22!
Evan leads the way across the bridge.
A group picture on the bridge. The walking bridge was added on top of the old train trestles.
These three look-a-likes steal my heart!
Yes, Maggie is a bit of a diva going hiking in her tutu skort.
We did a little nature scavenger hunt, and Mattox found a pine cone.
Grayson found a pine cone too.
Brody pointed to some other finds like leaves.
I just think the old bridge is still so beautiful and full of nostalgia of days past.
Awe, I just love this daddy and daughter duo. They are my heart, and I don't know what I would do without them!
Brody was in charge of our scavenger hunt list.
Stopping for little rest break.
These boys must have hiking sticks for hikes.
Daddy gives Maggie shoulder time.
And so did big brother Evan.
Signs of history continue as we spot the old train station.
These boys were curious about the old train station in the town. It must have once been such a busy place filled with life and adventure.
This old church was one of the sweet old structures still standing to tell the story of days gone by in this little town. I can just imagine how much life was lived in those walls. Church services, community gatherings, probably some meals shared together, weddings, christenings, and even funerals for the community.
After our nice little hike, we stopped for some cool snow cone treats at Pelican's Snoballs.
Daddy brought our huge snocones. Yes, they were too big. I mistakenly ordered the wrong size because our location serves bigger sizes than other locations. You can also get them mixed with ice cream too.
These boys loved this big chair.
Silly boys!
Mr. Grayson loved his birthday cake flavored ice.
And so did Mattox.
Evan also got the huge size with mint chocolate flavored ice. Miss Maggie had fallen asleep in the car so we let her sleep nearby.
Our last big adventure was to our larger community park.
Miss Maggie loves to slide. She has been way more adventurous and fearless than her brothers were at this age.
Mattox is a bit more timid and reserved about certain playground activities.
Grayson worked on swinging in the big swings by himself.
Miss Maggie is a climbing champ.
She loved this little playhouse.
Hanging out on the porch of their little house.
Grayson and Maggie inside the little house.
She would follow Grayson anywhere although she usually isn't a follower.
Grayson and Brody wanted to try out the saucer swing together. They are bonding more and more as the two most alike kids we have.
Our town is known as the Home of the Okra Strut. Still haven't figured out why, but it has a big festival every year. Ha!
Sharing the hand chair with her best buddy Grayson.
Brody relaxing in the comfy hand chair by the little lake.
The kids ended their Spring Break week with Easter Sunday. Grayson had been finding it increasingly difficult to find his joy since the end of March when he lost his beloved Cocoa. We soon had a little breakthrough with his grief process, and he immediately felt happy again.
Miss Maggie is usually bubbling over with joy.
I usually re-use old Easter baskets from years past, but I couldn't resist these cute little felt baskets from Aldi for the younger kids. Miss Maggie got an additional Frozen egg filled with art supplies.
She was very excited about her "Let It Go" egg.
Mattox loves all things space so his basket was perfect.
Grayson liked his new dinosaur basket from Aldi.
These boys got some fun new Hot Wheels cars. Mattox's was a color changing firetruck, and Grayson's was a Super Mario themed monster truck.
Miss Maggie enjoyed having Peeps for breakfast...only on Easter!
Miss Maggie shared her peeps with her favorite brothers.
Miss Maggie loved using her new Elsa stamp and making lots of Frozen art.
