Kiddie Acres in Austin

We took a day trip to Austin today to visit with Uncle Jon. Normally when we plan a visit we get a hotel and stay overnight to make up for the 3-hour one-way drive, but with Beau waiting for us at home (stuck on the porch), we made it a day-trip instead and set off right after breakfast.

As always, we stopped at the BucEes about 30 miles outside of Austin to stretch our legs. Before that, all three kids did remarkably well for the just over 2 hours of driving. Connor napped for about half of it, but was content to talk to his sisters and play with his socks for the other half. Once in Austin, we collected Uncle Jon and stopped for lunch at Firehouse Subs, then headed off to a "children's amusement park" google had led me to. It was... quaint. Overall, I was unimpressed, but the girls were wide-eyed over the small walkway of various rides, so there were plenty of pictures to be had and lots of giggles:

My own cheeks hurt from grinning as I watched Cadence unable to stop grinning while perched on her pony. She wants one for her birthday. Ha!

For once, Megan is not as photogenic as her sister, but she was equally fascinated by the new experience.

Next up was the mini ferris wheel. No fear as both girls climbed into the cage without parents for a spin.

When I more or less refused to let them ride the carousel (we ride one at the zoo EVERY time we go), the boats were their next choice.

Then the planes with working propellers (which is why Megan's hand is over her face)

Afterward, we all climbed aboard the only ride with a weight limit adults could ride: The train. (You cannot tell the two of them are brothers, can you?)

Even Connor got to ride this time (he had more fun then this picture suggests).

After the train, we took the rest of our tickets and cashed them in for two balls and two child-sized putters so the girls could try their hand at the simple miniature golf course. They didn't quite get the hang of it. Cadence used hers more like a hockey stick, rolling the ball with the putter at a slow pace and guiding it to the hole. Megan would hit the ball toward the hole then crouch and use her hands to make sure the ball didn't go farther than she wanted.

Connor pointed to every hole we passed.

This is almost like a Bigfoot sighting. It's a picture of Uncle Jon. (He DOES exist!) Of course there is an earlier picture, and more close-ups after this one, but this was the point we started teasing him and he lamented no longer being just an elbow in our digital library.

Trying to coax Cadence into gripping the putter correctly and golf properly.

Celebrating after a successful hole-in-23!

Mad golfing skillz!

Even Connor got in on the action!

Though he quickly decided Megan's version of golf was better.

Maybe we should put him in basketball?

It was a mini blue bonnet field. I couldn't resist snapping a picture before my camera died.

Once we were out of tickets, we climbed back into the car and followed directions to an ice cream shop and a Barnes & Noble visit. Then, we kicked Uncle Jon out on the curb and drove ourselves home.

Again, all three kids did well. They slept for the 45 minute trip from Jon's apartment to the BucEes, where we topped off the gas tank, grabbed bottles of water and started the final trek home. Connor snagged a second nap, which made the whole thing easier and with it being Good Friday, "rush hour" was no worse than any other hour once we hit the snarl where two of the most popular driving routes intersect. A long day, but a good one. Not sure we'll do another Austin day-trip any time soon. As I've lamented before, Austin is not really a family city, so the tourist options are a little limited. Still, it's always nice to visit with family and try something new, even if it is only for a few hours.