Tagged! Saint Louis

This tag just circulated around the MBA Spouses, and everyone was supposed to report on their internship area. I thought I'd post it here, as well, although I think I recently did something similar, just for journaling's sake.

Where are you living right now: Central West End, Saint Louis, Missouri

What is/are your favorite part(s) about your area: I LOVE being so close to everything! Justin takes the Metrolink to work so we have the car, and some days we don't even need it. Even the Target and Walmart aren't terribly far, although it's probably a ten minute drive. I also really love Saint Louis parks - they do a phenomenal job.

What is something that you won't miss: not having a yard! the few kids here to play with! the parking garage! I miss my space. :-)

What/where is the best place that you have discovered this past week (or month): We had a great time eating at the boathouse and taking the paddleboats around Forest Park. I'd never done that before and was pleasantly surprised by how good the food was and how much fun we had on the boat for a really reasonable price!

Favorite Place In the Area (or greater area) to:

- grab lunch: normally, my house. But the other day was a long one, and I broke down and the three kids and I went to the Olive Garden by ourselves. Not my favorite place, but the salad sounded good and I just can't palate fast food in the heat and humidity. Anyway, first time I've ever taken the kids somewhere like that on my own, and it was a good experience! We went well after the lunch rush so it was quiet, and we just split two entrees between the four of us. Add salad and breadsticks, and the little chocolate mint they bring for everyone, and it was a raging success at about the price of happy meals around.

- go on a Date night: All our "date nights" involve the kids, but we like to go out exploring. The other night we went to the city museum, a "museum" that should be renamed as the country's largest jungle gym. They can call it a museum because it's entirely made from scraps and salvages of old buildings and stuff around Saint Louis. It's really amazing, and I blogged it on our site if you want to see. We did that and grabbed mexican on the way home - a nice evening.

- keep the kids busy: Anywhere, they're pretty good to drag around. Parks are always a hit, especially if they have swings.

-get wet: Swimming lessons ended today, so we're on the hunt again. My favorite place to get wet? My own private retreat - the shower. It's my alone time, and we're not paying utilities.

-buy a treat: Anywhere new. I love trying new places and have a list a mile long of "treats" I still want to try here. I have to seriously limit the treat runs so the list gets longer daily but shorter only weekly. Too much to do in too little time!

-shop for fun: I know it's weird, but probably online. It's peaceful, I can do it when I want to and search all over for the best deals.

-get some fresh air: County parks - the nearer the river the better usually because the humidity isn't as bad. Sounds crazy, but I think it's because you get more of a breeze blowing through.

-splurge: hmm... I did just book train tickets and a hotel in Chicago for a couple of days. That's definitely our biggest splurge this summer, but we've been planning that one for a while. Again, it's fun to be so near so many things. There's a lot to do in the city, but if you ever want to roadtrip you could hit Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Kansas City or for those LDS out there, Nauvoo, with little to no trouble at all.

-go for a drive: Anywhere - it's fun to see new places.

-take a walk: To the playground at the Cathedral Basilica nearby - there are some beautiful homes and fun shops on the way, and the playground is a great destination for the kids. Those catholics KNOW how to get parents with kids to church. I've always thought we could use a swingset or two outside our buildings, too!

-enjoy the scenery: South county - it's hilly and green.

-relax: Home in the apartment. At the end of the day (and sometimes in the middle!) I'm a total homebody at heart.