Sunday: rocket museum

Today's big activity was the rocket museum. We started with the robot zoo, which we spent a lot of time in but Isaac liked because of the hands on things, not so much because of the robot animals. After a brief time outside, we decided to go to the other building. It had all the cool space memorabilia...the Saturn 5, an Apollo training capsule to go in, a swing arm to walk down and pretend you're an astronaut about to go to space and such. We spent quite a bit of time there, and by the end the kids were done.

We came home and took naps. I was rather surprised to be able to transfer Isaac from the car to his bed without him waking up and realizing there are toys to play with, but it worked.

After dinner there was some outside time, and then bath time. Isaac said tat the tub drain was pretty big and so babies shouldn't go in the tub. I assured him that Joshua would go down the drain. The kids were in bed and we looked through pictures of some of our past vacations...there was a lot of laughter.

Saturday: made it

Today we made it to our destination! But first, I want to tell you about the hotel we stayed at last night because it was silly.

They had an indoor pool with a roof that was kind of like a green house. Ok, no problem. All of the a/c units vented into the pool area. Yuck, problem. It basically felt like a sauna in there all the time. It was hotter than the outside, which is saying something during this heat wave that the south is having. Then, on top of that, the eating area was in the same space. So breakfast in 105 was not fun. AND they were almost out of everything and had no cereal bowls. But...it was an adventure, I guess. Not too bad as we didn't have to stay in the area too long, but dumb planning on someone's part.

While we were there Joshua also went up some steps for the first time. They were shallow, but I am really hoping that it was a fluke and we can delay this skill until after vacation.

Anyway, we got to the house and Isaac and Joshua had a grand time playing. Isaac loves all the new toys and kids to play with and Joshua kicked a ball around most of the afternoon. He skipped his afternoon nap because he was so happy playing.

And the adults had fun too. A lot of catching up. It's odd because it's been two years since we've seen everyone, but since we have monthly game nights online it doesn't feel that way. We also took turns dealing with super sad children...but at least we're all in the same boat. (And to be fair to the kids, it is hard having some many people around in a new setting.)

Friday: playground

We went to the playground with some friends today. It was perfect. The weather was lovely-cloudy, warm, windy. The other kids left soon after we got there so we had the playground all to ourselves. Isaac and the other girl chased each other well. Isaac also found out he was tall enough to do the drinking fountain by himself, but between still being short and a plugged drain he just got his shirt soaking wet. We took it off and I think he loved it.

Later in the day I asked him to water the flowers. A minute later I hear him call mom! I go over to see...the yellow daisies were starting to lose their petals and Isaac is devistated. Completely. Needless to say, I did the watering. And ate the first tomato! It was very good.

The boys declined to go to sleep at their bedtime in the car. I didn't let Isaac have a nap just so he would fall asleep and he didn't. It took him an extra 1.5 hours past his bedtime.


We're having quite the lightning show now that it is dark out. So beautiful. I wish I could take a picture if some, but alas, I can't.

Lots of days: trains

We've been taking pictures of the train tracks that we've made since Christmas.  :)  Isaac likes the ones with instructions from the book, but Ben and I really like the ones we make.

This is probably one from the instructions.

Under the table:

On/off the table:

Double decker:

Carousel

With a new X piece:

Figure 8 tilted:

Spiral:

Quad loop:

Up on the table:

Hmm...we've also made some "wormie" ones.  Those have two little circles on either end and a long section in the middle, using as many pieces as possible.

Wednesday: Monday and Wednesday

Monday Joshua turned 50 weeks.  The big 5-0.

He's been busy chasing balls, rolling cars, and just started to throw things.  Although sometimes they're dropped before he moves his arm...he faked me out very well the other day.

Monday I also cut Isaac's bangs.  I love his curls so I let them stay around.  (He has been called "she" a few times lately though.)  He wanted to have his hair cut while laying on the floor, hence the tears in this before picture.

And after.  It's not very straight...I still haven't figured out how to make it straight.  But when it's all mussed up and the rest looks like it hasn't been cut recently, I don't think anyone will notice.

Here was today's game.  We were going to use the magnets to run around the couch looking for bones.  When we found them we would beep.  The magnets had to be one in each hand, magnet side out, but only one magnet would beep a given bone.  His detailed explanation cracked me up.

I also had {what I think} was a good parenting moment during lunch.  Isaac didn't want to eat his broccoli because it was too hot.  So I gave him an ice cube to dip the broccoli on.  Now, I'll agree that the ice cube could cool the broccoli down, but he tended to "dip" the broccoli for only a second.  But it went from being too hot to edible.  Phew.

Tuesday: shoes

We cleaned the house on Sunday because some people were coming over.  With a bit of help, it really didn't take all that long.  And we do love a clean house...there's something so relaxing about it.

Anyway, I managed to keep it (mostly) clean on Monday.  I managed to keep it (mostly) clean today.  There are some toys that are creeping back into the main area, but the kitchen stayed clean.

And since the kitchen was clean, I was able to check off several of the random short items on my to-do list.  I got my winter coat in the laundry basket.  (Laundry is for tomorrow.)  Joshua enjoyed playing with the shoes.

I glued the soles of Ben's shoes back on.  We're not sure they'll stay, but it seems worth a try.

I finished putting away stakes from camping so that "clean up camping stuff" can be crossed off the list.  I did one coat of water-proofing on the tent rainfly.  I finished cleaning the bee nest out of the mailbox.  I mostly cleaned off our dresser top.  We did a few errands.

It was nice to have a productive day.

Sunday: squirters

We got some new toys for outside.  A few noodles, a few random toys, but of most note, squirters.  We played with them for quite a while inside, but it was time for them to go outside.

We got big squirters.  We got little squirters.  Isaac played with them for over an hour.

Joshua took a bit before he'd go in the water.  The water was nice and warm, so we sat in it together.

I also saw Joshua put the watering can into the bucket a few times.  I'm excited for the "look! things go into things too!" stage.