The Piasa Bird

Xavier slept for a good part of our visit to the National Great River Museum in Alton, IL. He was awake long enough to be frightened by the Piasa bird and the Eagle. We checked out Lock and Dam #25, and tried our hand at steering a barge.

From what I understand... the Piasa bird was seen on Seymore Bluff just north of Alton by area native Americans. The chief was wearing a deer hide and was attacked by a falcon type bird with antlers. The tribe fought off the bird. And drew the bird on the side of the cliff. You can still see the bird on the Great River Road today.

Mardi Gras

My first Mardi Gras! It was very cold. But I got lots of candy and beads at the St. Charles French District's Family Parade.

All Boy!!

Xavier has grown up SO fast. He is no longer our little baby but instead our big boy. His favorite things are football, pumpkin pie, and party cake (which Oma has all of).

This winter, he has enjoyed his time in gymnastics. He showed his friend Lydia some of his skills at her birthday party by jumping in the big foam pit. A little shy at first, Xavier is quick to warm up and very independent and opinionated.

He is curious and has complete trust in his big brother. Thankfully for us, his brother does not lead him astray.

Well here are a few pictures of Xavier in the eight inches of snow, checking out Eagles in Illinois, and at the YouZeum in Columbia.

Xavier also enjoys singing and cooking. Here is a little midnight surprise he started for us. He was showing us that he could draw a circle.

Anyway our boy is having a great time and is talking nonstop about it. On Mondays and Fridays he still hangs out with mom and has become a master at computer games - thanks pbs, fisher-price, and playhouse disney.