Hooray for the Children's Museum!

Went with my friend Chelly Belly(there's ababy in there) to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  We got there just after it opened, and to be honest, I was a little worried since it's Spring Break.  However, it was about a normal weekday crowd, until we left, then it was really starting to get packed.  I didn't get pictures of everything I wanted to, but we had agreat time.  We started in the Dinosphere.

Lizzie asked some questions-real questions, like, hoiw long does it take to dig a dinosaur out of the dirt, and what kind of dinosaur is this?

Then we went to the playscape

Chelly sat with the two little guys while I chased the bigs kids.

While Mason played with the trains,

Eliz got a workout riding this thing

Chelly left the under two area and Gavie played in the sand-I don't think he ate any of it.

Lex drove this lawn mower for about twnety minutes.

After the playscape we went to the Barbie exhibit.  I didn't get any pictures, but Eliz walked the catwalka nd showed her diva side, stopping right in front of the pretend cameras and posing, then running backstage to change.  Mason wasn't very into it, so we left faster than she liked, but it was fun.  Before going down the slide, we went into Bob the Builder.  We will have to go back.  I thought Lex had about had it, but he was way into it.  He was running and talking and climbing and happy the whole time we were in there.  SOmetime I'll take him back when he's just had a nap and can really play.

We stopped for food on the way home, so it was about 2 when we pulled into the driveway.  A fun and very busy 4 hours.  However, all that fun wasn't enough.  When I checked the mail there was a package for Eliz from her Aunt Kenzie! 

I didn't think about till I heard her say,

"It's a Dinosaur!!"  but I should have had the camera ready.  Ah, well, next time.

This morning...

I usually do a morning recap on Monday, but I had to share this.  I didn't realise the little guy had gotten tall enough to reach a bowl set on the edge of the table.  Then he walked up with his half full bowl of oatmeal, spoon, and a mischievous grin.  He was to adorable not to give in. 

He came up with the spoon I use when I feed him, not the funky curved spoon he uses.  He mostly used his hand to eat.

Both dogs were riveted by the dropping oatmeal.  If his hands got close enough they would lick them, but Lex isn't big into sharing, so he would quickly pull his hand back.

Oh yeah, he had to be hosed off.  The main reason this was possible is b/c the dogs cleaned the floor, and would have very happily have cleaned him, if he would have let them.  Luckily, Lex loves baths, all you have to say is "bathtub" and he comes running, saying, "Bathtub! Bathtub!"

Well, I promised Eliz she could watch a movie this morning(I plan on scrubbing the kitchen and rearranging while she does) so, have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

A pleasant surprise

Bry-D came home early yesterday.  He wanted to work on the backyard and garden so that we wouldn't have to this weekend.

Eliz kept telling him to watch out for her head.  Frankly I was more worried about his head with her so close to him.  Just before the first snow Bry-D bagged all the leaves and put the bags in the garden. The dogs and children tore them open. Which was fine with me. 

Beautiful mulch and some lovely dark soil.  Found really fat worms in there while we were turning the soil.

Makes me excited for May to come.  He also stopped off at the store and got Eliz a new bike helmet.  She was really shakey on Tuesday when she got back on her bike, so we put the training wheels on. 

I love how she loves to pose for pictures!

Lex has been going crazy for Bry-D's motorcycle since the first time Bry-D fired it up in the winter.  When I got Eliz's bike off the wall, he was all over it.  Yesterday when I put her old helmet on him, he had an ear to ear grin.

Then his dad really made his day by letting him ride his sister's bike.  When Bry-D took him off the bike he started pushing it around the driveway.  He is totally different in so many ways.  Eliz enjoys riding the motorcycle, she enjoys riding her bike, but the way his eyes light up at the sight of Bry-D's motorcycle helmet, the motorcycle itself, and even the bicycles is true love.  He has cars and trucks galore, and drives them around the house happily, sometimes requesting company and sometimes by himself.  He even makes the "vrrm, vrrm" noises.  Yes, I have a boy.

Since it's offically spring...

I'm getting my veggie garden plans ready. 

I'm so excited!  Last year I didn't do a garden, and I've decided that it's an offical must from now on.  I didn't know Luffa was a gourd, we'll try some of it green, since it says it can be eaten, but I'm really thinking of it as a Christmas gift/home spa sort fo thing.  I'm going to do a couple different types of tomato, small ones for Eliz and Lex to eat right off the vine and some for cooking and making sauce.  I'm making plans for my flower gardens also, although my daylilies didn't listen to me that there could still be a frost.

The Lamb's Ear isn't any better.

My beautiful Lilac has buds on it as well-last year I got three flower sprigs, I'm hoping for more this year.  It's raining today, and the predicition is for warm waether and rain.  That means lots of plant growth, yeay!

Such nice weather this week...

That on Wednesday Eliz had to have her toenails painted.  We went all out and used the foot bath.

Then she went outside to play

Alexander is doing really well walking, even running, so I let him try it outside.  Our backyard is full of holes and is really rough terrain, but he did well.

Thursday we took a walk

We've gone for a morning walk every morning this week, except Monday and Wednesday.  It may have to become a tradition. 

A new project

I've been planning to redecorate the house for a longtime.  I mostly want to repaint and add some different accents.  We've needed new floors pretty much since we've moved in, and we've finally come to an agreement on what kind of flooring(snap-in laminate)color(whatever matches the floorboards).  That's happening end of summer, early fall this year.  We desparetly need more lighting in every room of the house, and that's something I would like to take care of now, b/c then, I can start painting.  Tee-hee.  I've been thrifting for the accent pieces for the house for a couple of months, I thought that I had everything I needed.  But when I got everything out and began to consider what I had, it just seemed to be missing something.  I went back to my style boards, and re-assessed what I liked about the things I had chosen.  Then I saw it.

 Pictures. 

 I didn't have any pictures.  I realised that in some of the pages I had torn from magazines, what really caught my eye was the photo in the frame, not the composition of the nightstand/lamp/flowers/frame.  It seemed silly once I had thought about it, since I know the reason I love a few of my friends' decor is because of all the pictures.

  Thus began the great photo search of 2010.  I have very few pictures on display, and the same pictures have been on display for at least 5 years.  So far, it's been very fun, and Eliz has enjoyed hearing who people are and disagreeing with me on some things.
  "Who is this?"
  "Aunt Kenzie" 
  "No it's not."
  "Yes it is, she was a little girl."
   "Hmm, I think you're wrong."
   Well, fine then, don't believe me, but really, it is her.

Here are a few I've found.

Remember your wedding day, when everything had to be in the perfect place?

I have lots of pics of my little sister like this.

Remember when your dog was your child?

He may never speak to me again for this!

Expect more fun stuff as I get through my boxes and boxes, and cds upon cds of pictures. 

Where's Rob?

 I love the idea of Improv Everywhere, and this is one of the best.  It's from last November, and it's just hilarous!

A visit with Grandma

Last week, we got this book from the library. 

There are four other Fairy Tale Cookbooks-Breakfast, Dinner and Deserts.  Since Grandma was coming over, we did the Little Red Riding Hood Deviled eggs and Chicken Salad recipes.  Turned out great!  Grandma used her camera for pictures, so I will have to wait to get them from her to post.  Eliz and Grandma peeled the eggs, and Eliz must have thought we were making egg salad, because she started breaking up the eggs.  Since she's not very good at breaking the eggs into small pieces, savvy Grandma was able to save them.  We're going to try the other recipes-I'm looking forward to the cinnimon rolls.  I'll do a real review then.
  Of course, as Eliz knows very well, Grandma can't resist bringing gifts.  She brought Lex and Bry-D's belated birthday gifts(we never seem to be able to get together close to actual birthdays) and a little activity book for Eliz.  Eliz opened Lex's gift for him, since she's such a helpful sister and all.

And where was Lex for Grandma's visit?  No, he was not eaten by the wolf, the little guy slept right through it and didn't wake up until a full hour after she left!  So, we'll have to take him to her, and hopefully he won't sleep for that visit.

I love this Picture!

Probably b/c I feel that way everyday just after lunch.

This morning...

Have yoou seen  this?  The coach in a estatic moment, dancing for joy.  I'll dance for any reason, and sometimes even when it's not appropriate.  Another favorite dance video here. I just found out that there's a second evolution of dance, however, it's not as good as the first.  So, have a Happy Monday morning, thiese videos helped me get going, thought I'd pass them on!

Some handmade toys

After The Quilter and I finished our project yesterday-check out our mad carpenter skills here-I took the scraps home with me.  There was a 2X4 that was about 18 inches long, I had The Quilter and my Dad cut it into 5 pieces.  The Quilter got to the last cut, when the board was 7 inches long and said, Umm, NO.  My Dad asked if I could get it any smaller.  If I had ever used an electric saw, I would have cut it myself.  The other scraps were all different, from the various home improvement projects going on at my sister's house.  I used 150 fine sandpaper and hand-sanded the corners and sides so they weren't quite so square.  Then Eliz and I rubbed them with olive oil.  I don't have picture yet of the kiddos playing with them, but they seem to be a hit.  And good for hitting and making music, according to Lex.

And now, some Eliz photography!  I've posted her pictures before.  She doesn't actually have permission to use the camera, but she's a sly little girl, and I have yet to catch her using the camera.  I don't usually find out until I'm reviewing the pictures that she's been taking them.  Her favorite subjects are:

Herself

The dogs

Her toys

Her brother

And whatever that is. 

How I love HowDoesShe!!!

If you haven't yet been there, please visit Howdoesshe.com.  This place has so many great projects!  I'm planning a complete redecorate of the house, and several of the projects from this site are on my must have/make list.  I will definately be doing the the floating frame for over the fireplace.  The dollar store mug is another must, but I'm going to use a glass for Eliz to cut back on the night time-"I'm thirsty" habit.  And of course, I bought some steel oats to try because of this post.  Well, time for the weekly library trip, let you know if we find anything great!

Someday he will get outside

Oh, to be big enough to play outside by himself

Chase the dogs, eat snow...

Someday.