The Zyriek Zoo: Labor Day in Minneapolis!!

We decided to meet Gary's mom in Minneapolis for Labor Day weekend. It would be a fun getaway for the Zyrieks and a way to see Gary's mom. It is just one flight for both of us and there are plenty of fun things to do there. Mary goes there pretty often for conferences, the post-polio clinic and of course to get her hair cut (wish I had made an appointment with her hair person because I am WAY overdue for a hair cut since my stylist moved to Poland for her husband's job....only person to cut my hair for the past 8 or 9 years and only one to cut the girls' hair!!!!).

We arrived on Friday night. No issues with the flight. The girls were so excited and were literally running around the airport anxious to see Gammy. Mary arrived a day before us and attending a conference, so she had us all check into the hotel already which was great. We stayed in a hotel near the airport and the Mall of America. That made it very convenient for Saturday's activity!!

On Saturday we spent all day at the Mall of America. This place is like any regular shopping mall but on major entertainment steroids!! It has an entire amusement park with a Nickelodeon theme INSIDE the mall. We did that for a lot of the day. Actual roller coasters, some even went upside down! The girls had a blast. I rode the rides with the girls. Gary rode a few, but not many. I think he is getting a weak stomach in his 40's!! : ) At noon we had reservations for lunch at the American Girl store. It was right by the amusement park area so it worked out well. We arranged in advance to have a birthday celebration for Caroline. We ordered her first American Girl doll and had it wrapped and waiting at the table. We had a great lunch with birthday hats for the girls and their dolls along with cake and ice cream for dessert. Caroline was thrilled!! She named her doll Katie and was so very excited. It was fun to celebrate with Gary's mom and do something fun for her out of town/early birthday.

We lasted most of the day at the mall, never really entering any stores. We rested back at the hotel, grabbed some dinner and watched Auburn lose their first football game of the season. It could be a LONG season.

Sunday we spent the day at the Children's Museum after a great breakfast at a truly local and eccentric place. Great place located in St. Paul with plenty of fun activities for the kids to enjoy. We had dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe back at the Mall of America and then let the kids swim at the pool.

Gary's mom left on Monday morning and we had most of the day to spend before our flight home. We decided to spend the time at the Science Museum located in St. Paul. We really enjoyed it and wished we had a little more time. Great place for learning and it was very interactive.

Flew home on Monday afternoon. Home in time for dinner (picked up at Chick fil a because we had ABSOLUTELY no dinner food at home) and even got the suitcases unpacked and laundry rolling. Really nice weekend in a new place for us. Tired, but worth it!