The weather network said sun today so when we woke up this morning we ran to the window and saw that Mr. Golden Sun was out! Woo! Isn’t it true how the sun puts people in a better mood?  We knew we had to spend some time outside!

After we got dressed we took Evie down for breakfast at the buffet at our hotel.  She enjoyed having some special Mommy and Daddy time in the booth.  She rocked her eye patch, which always makes people do a double take as it is skin coloured.  Sometimes we draw eyes on them. We then admired the beautiful centerpiece in the lobby.  At first we thought they were ceramic eggs but they were all chocolate!  All of the eggs on the table were beautiful, especially the big one in the middle.

Oma, Ev and I then headed out into the glorious sun (can you tell I missed it?) and walked to the hospital for Evie’s second last therapy session here.  Today Jessica gave me a home therapy program.  It consists of recommendations for bracing (when to transition etc.) as well as suggestions for activities and then activities within the activities. For example swimming and all the different things she can do while in the water.  There were tips with regards to the treadmill and various strengthening exercises.  Evelyn also had to “walk the runway” during the session while a member of the hospital team filmed her walk.  When she turned to come back I wish I caught her face as it was like she was posing.

Today Ev worked on half kneeling while building a tent.  She also tried doing one legged bridges.  This makes bridges a little more challenging.  She had a hard time doing them with one leg straight out but when she crossed one foot over the other knee she was able to do the bridges without help.  She practiced walking on the balance beam holding onto only an elastic band.

 

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After therapy we all headed out to explore!  We headed to the Soulard Market.  This indoor market is one of the oldest and biggest farmer’s markets west of the Mississippi and it started in 1779.   It is quite big and the produce prices are fabulous (ie. baskets of broccoli for $2.00, four containers of berries for $5.00)!  There were also some unique things to purchase including an ostrich egg ($35.00 if interested) and raccoon (yes I said raccoon…I’ll spare you the picture of that).  We picked up some berries, supplies for guac, flavoured popcorn and apples.  There was also a gentleman playing the saxophone Evie liked dancing to.  We then walked around the Soulard neighbourhood.  Definitely a pub crawl kind of place as there were many bars and evidence of nighttime activity.  Opa picked up ribs from Bogart’s Smokehouse which is also in the top three places for ribs (I liked these better than the other ribs we had this week).  We then headed back to the hotel.

Oma, Evie and I had an ice cream treat at Coffee Cartel down the street from our hotel and it was delicious! We all enjoyed the flavours we picked.  After a quick rest we all headed back out into the sunshine.  A short walk from where we are staying is the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. We first walked around the Cathedral Basilica and then quietly went downstairs (there was a service happening) to the Mosaic Museum which was interesting.  So much work goes into a mosaic! Once mass ended, we looked around.  This place is beautiful!!  The mosaics and detail are stunning!!

 

The Cathedral Basilica felt very peaceful and Evie enjoyed looking at the art and flipping through the song book.  We got a taste of the amazing acoustics of the Cathedral Basilica through over tired squeals (Wes didn’t nap today) and sounds of protest (Evie did not want to leave). Luckily, her big performance wasn’t until we were outside or that would have been very loud!  We quickly walked back to the hotel for dinner and bedtime but stopped along the way for a picture in front of the World’s Largest Chess piece (14 ft, 7 inches tall).  The World Chess Hall of Fame is right down the street too (lots to see and do in the Central West End).

It was a very long and busy day but we soaked up as much of the sun as we could and saw some neat things.  Overall a very good Good Friday!

 

Happy Easter!