Did somebody say cupcake?

My motto: Bring on dessert!

A friend recently shared her discovery of a cake boutique in the downtown area. I knew one thing with certainty...we must try it,

SOON! :)

And so after our "steam engine fieldtrip" last Friday, we did just that.

I think cupcakes for lunch is a grand idea.

I don't know if this is a picture of my indecisiveness or gluttonous nature.

Ghirardelli chocolate with peanut butter icing and red velvet with cream cheese icing

My little king thoroughly enjoying himself! :)

Cupcake cuties!

I hear the train a comin'...

This post is like Steam Engine No. 844...late! :)

Last Friday we headed downtown to see Locomotive No. 844 in action as it barrelled through town. It was scheduled to leave NLR at 8a.m. so we made sure we were ready and waiting just before 8:30a.m.

We met up with some friends {cute, aren't they?!} and waited...

Here comes the entertainment!

A big 'ol bug grabbed the kiddos attention...

they stomped and stomped to no avail...

then, boys being boys, a rock was thrown and the bug was no more...

just one more stomp for good measure...

"Yep, I think he's dead."

Thankfully, as we waited and waited on our beloved No. 844, there were other trains that could keep us entertained...

And, as time drew near, the boys gathered on a little blanket, removed their shoes, and behaved as boys! :)

I had signed up for Twitter updates from No. 844 and received a text that it finally pulled out of NLR at 9:30...only an hour and a half past schedule! ha. From then on it was pure excitement, kids and adults alike...

Everyone was scrambling to catch the first glimpse of the steam engine...

It drew quite the crowd and the police even stopped by to see what all the fuss was about! They also handed out Jr. Deputy stickers to the kids...which prompted a personal invitation from the fire dept. representatives to bring the kids down to the fire station for a personal tour {future playgroup outing for sure!}.

The kids knew it was close when they had to do this...

You can't really get a feel for how massive this train is unless you see it in person,

in action!

Oh, so sad...waving goodbye...

We hung our heads and wiped away our tears...

Until we realized it was stopping at the main train crossing! So we grabbed the kiddos and ran {as fast as you can run when carrying children, their shoes, and various belongings!}

We just wanted one more look...

a true piece of Americana...

A day in the Rock

On Thursday the boys and I met up with Grandaddy for a fun-filled day in Little Rock/North Little Rock. We started the morning off by visiting the Union Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 844 in NLR. Aren't the boys adorable in their conductor hats?

Come on, let's go!

To say the train is big, is a huge understatement! You really need to see it in person to get a true feel for how HUGE it all is.

It weighs nearly one million pounds.

ONE MILLION POUNDS!

ONE MILLION!!!!

We weren't allowed to tour inside the train, but we were able to look in to see how it's operated.

I'd say it's no simple task to operate this thing! That's a lot of gears and knobs.

Our Witcher cousins and their friends were also there viewing the train.

Notice the state capitol in the background...

While we were there several trains passed through. Raegen really enjoyed watching them come and go.

They are all gone!

Once we had our fill of the train, we headed to the River Rail to ride the train trolley!

The River Rail is a great way to get around downtown Little Rock and the River Market area. A day pass is only $2 and children under 4 ride free. Once the trolley reaches the end of the rail, the conductor simply walks to the other end of the car and the back is now the front! You can choose to ride the trolley facing backwards or easily "flip" your seat. Notice the gold handle at the top of each seat back? You simply lift up and move the seat back to the other side.

There is so much to see and discover downtown.

The nature center was educational

and gave Raegen a chance to get up close and personal with several animals.

We dined at Bill St. Bar & Grill...great food and great prices! Just $6 buys a half-pound grilled burger and fries. It was served HOTT! I would definitely dine there again. We finished our day at the World of the Pharaohs exhibit at the Arkansas Arts Center.

There is so much more to see and do in the River Market area. I hope to take the boys back soon.

chugga-chugga-choo-choo!

Today the boys and I met Grandaddy in North Little Rock for an up close and personal look at the Union Pacific Steam Engine No. 844. It was a great experience and we hope to watch the train roll through town in the morning. More pics to follow!

Birthday with my boys

As Billy and I age, our restuarant preferences change. We are no longer influenced by the restuarant's menu, but rather by the restaurant's location! :) At one time we didn't think twice about traveling to Little Rock to dine, but now it wears us out just to think about driving that far...and it's not even that far! ha. So now we like to dine locally and early! For my birthday celebration, we dined at Market Place...around 5ish!

They have a lot of unique dishes...like their queso.

It's on FIRE!!

Raegen always thinks it's great.

Lynden wasn't too impressed.

Now THIS is why I dine here...

chocolate peanut butter mess

Well, that and the fact they DON'T serve alcohol! :)

I had a wonderful birthday celebration with my boys.

It couldn't have been better...

well, maybe if it was delivery, but mama always said,

'you can't have your cake and eat it too'! :)