Purity and Obedience: An Unexpected Adventure at Yerkes
Some days don’t go as planned—and those end up being the most meaningful ones.
We were chosen (or volun-told 😂) to be the two chaperones for a special group trip to the Yerkes Observatory—yes, the Yerkes with all its starry history and architectural magic. And somehow, me and my husband were dubbed “the cool parents.” I’m still not sure if it was because of our laid-back vibes, our trunk full of snacks, or because we didn’t say no to the kids bringing their three-legged friend named Spider. Yep, a real three-legged spider. We didn’t ask questions—we just welcomed him to the crew.
Excitement was high as we pulled into the observatory… only to find it looked like it was closed. Cue the collective “oh no!” from the kids. But then we noticed a small path that led to a parking lot by the main entrance. We asked the kids to check it out and report back—this was part of the experience too, building independence and ownership.
They came back smiling and hopeful—it was open! But just as we were about to book tickets for the tour, we saw the words: “No availability.” And just like that, the big starry-eyed plan turned into a soft sigh of disappointment.
But what happened next stopped me in my tracks. The kids—with the purest hearts and the most obedient, go-with-the-flow attitudes—simply nodded and smiled. “That’s okay,” one of them said. “What else can we do?”
No whining. No complaining. Just grace.
We pivoted. “How about we get some ice cream and explore downtown?” we offered.
They were all in.
That unplanned afternoon turned into a day full of beautiful little detours and discoveries. We wandered through the local markets, popping in and out of charming shops. Some of the kids found little treasures to buy—others just wanted to touch and feel the vintage items, listen to the stories told by the shop owners, and soak in the details of a time before them.
They sniffed every scent possible at The Candle Mercantile, carefully selecting their favorites and laughing at the weird ones (looking at you, fruit loops candle). Then they sampled freeze-dried candies that popped and fizzled, and marveled at crystals and geodes at a gem shop.
The walks between shops were just as memorable. Conversations flowed from silly to deep.
Between the photos, the videos, and the sunshine, we caught glimpses of their hearts. Seeing their individual preferences, how they bonded over similar interests and respected different ones—that’s the kind of growth you can’t schedule or buy tickets for.
We ended the day tired but thankful. And..ate lots of ice cream to top off our adventure. Not just because we had managed to keep everyone alive in the heat, but because we witnessed something far greater: purity in disappointment and obedience in the unexpected.
Sometimes, the best memories are made not in the place you were heading—but in the places you stumbled into instead.
And to that three-legged spider? Thanks for tagging along. You made the “cool parent” label a little more official.
Mama's Note:
Let’s raise kids who can adjust, who don’t crumble when plans shift, and who know that joy can be found in every turn. Whether or not we made it to the stars that day, we sure touched something just as bright—character.
If your kids have surprised you lately with their maturity and grace, share it with a ❤️ below. We celebrate every win—big or small.
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