Life with Rupert: Chatta-noo-ga

Dad invited our little family of three to go to Chattanooga with him, mom and Keira this weekend because he was playing in a golf tournament in Georgia. Thought it would be a fun idea to let the kids go to the Children's Museum and roam around town a little.

It was amazing!

We spent the night at the Sheraton Read House downtown, if you are out that way you should definitely pop in. Staying there was so much fun. We took the kids swimming and had pizza by the pool until we couldn't take it any more and finally headed to bed. The lights weren't off 30 seconds and Rupert was snoring!

Anyway, what I was going to say is... the hotel has a fantastic history and is supposed to be haunted.

I love that stuff and especially this close to Halloween, it was extra awesome.

The story goes that the hotel was a Civil War hospital (lots of death) and then burned down (more death) and then there was a murder/suicide (depending which story you believe) in room 311.

I so badly wanted to stay in that room but Dad got us rooms across from each other on the 8th floor. Sucky right?!?! :p Unfortunately, I cannot report any paranormal activity during my stay, but the halls are seriously eerie when you are walking alone. It reminded me of that scene in The Shining where the length of the hallway changes. FREAKY!

Saturday we took the kids to the Discovery Childrens' Museum. It reminded me of Marbles in Raleigh, NC (where Jenny Linger and I took Rupert in May). It's all hands on science and meant for all ages.

They had a huge water section with everything from waterfalls to squirt guns to a ship lock.

My favorite parts were definitely the instruments and the archaeology.

The instruments were broken down by their family and every section had a room (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion) and then in the room they had instruments from all over the world that you could play with. They also had a theatre with a mini stage and a light and sound board. I mean seriously?!? I want one of those for my house!!! :)

The archaeology was cool too. They had what was basically a huge sandbox with dinosaur bones buried in it and a little site map that showed where everything was. You got a little hat and some tools and set off for some digging. I could have spent all day removing sand with those little brushes. It was oddly soothing.

After the kids were done (hungry, thirsty and tired) we headed out to find some food. We ended up at Cheeburger Cheeburger. Holy cow. Literally. It was fantastic. I just got the classic and we split an order of fries. It was definitely one of the best burgers I've ever had. I so wish one was closer, I'd have to move in :)

Then we ended up at the art district on the bluff looking for unique gifts, but to no avail. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $80 on a vase, ya know???

We were trying to let the kids take a nap because they were beyond exhausted at this point but that didn't happen because we were going to the park to ride the carousel.

We ate ice cream at Clumpie's first (espresso with dark chocolate chunks? Yes please!)

We rode the carousel and it was gorgeous and fun. Rupert rode a bunny and I rode a tiger.

Keira rode a million times I think but Rupert was done after one. He could see the kids playing in the fountains outside and that's where he wanted to go.

We spent 10-15 minutes helping him climb concrete statues of animals and distracting him from trying to get in the water.

There was some kind of festival going on at the same time so we could hear a blues/jazz musician from across the field and saw some tents and whatnot. Rupert spotted a white pick up truck that had the cityscape painted down the side and had a bubble machine sitting on the top. He made a couple of friends and played until the bubbles were all gone.

We finally headed home around 6 something and we were all exhausted.

I passed out on the couch and didn't even get up to go to bed.

We had a super time down there and really hope to get back there again.

I'd like us to head down there twice a year or so and just spend the day running around with Rupert.

Now that we're back it's time to start packing for our next trip.

Look out Indiana, here we come!!!

In no order at all, pics from the weekend: