Totally fun change of plans. Rather than go on our traditional hike in some remote location for Mother’s Day, we opted to explore a bit of downtown (inspired by my time spent at my work’s leadership conference last week). I’ve been to the top of the Rock, the Empire State Building and the Sears Tower…but never the Gateway Arch, right in my home town. So today, we remedied that. I was not thrilled with the claustrophobia-inducing pod-thing that took us to the top, but once we got there, the clear blue skies afforded us a spectacular view. 

Next was a stop by a sculpture garden just down the street — another first for me. What a great place. It was so happy and alive. There were families strolling, kids skipping through fountains, couples walking puppies, flowers blooming, butterflies fluttering.   

How much do I love these boys. They are so doggone cute. 

On the way home, we stopped by my friend Lorraine’s place in the Central West End. 

Two words: the view. Seriously, if I had Lorraine’s view, I’d never leave the house. These are the views from every room in her place:

Then tonight we took my Mom and Dad out for Mother’s Day dinner. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Love, love, love you.