More Spring Break Fun: McKinley Museum!

For Day two of Operation Wear out the Kids we visited the McKinley Museum.  It was packed because of spring break and while we met friends there, we also ran into two of Carter's school friends and one of Ava's school friends. 

 

We have been to this museum many, many times and I probably wouldn't have blogged about it but two milestones happened!

 

 

Ava got to see her first planetarium show!

 

She will be five in less than two weeks, so I figured she was close enough to the cut off.  It was the best show, they focused more on scientists than on finding stars in the sky.  But she said she liked it, probably because she was a "big kid" and could go to the show!

 

Dawson hung out with friends while I took the older two to the planetarium.  Here he is being a puppy!

 

But the other big milestone:  Carter slid down the firemen's pole!  I have tried it and it is a little intimidating for an adult.  Peer pressure can work in magical ways, and he saw his friends doing it and decided he could do it too!

 

The Absolute best exercise:  The kids walk up the steps, slid down the edge, walk up the steps, slide down the edge.  It worked like a charm because it is 7:20 and everyone is still sleeping! 

A couple of cute kids

 

I took these pictures last week, when Carter was at school.  We were just hanging out chatting on the floor with the beautiful light I just had to take a picture.  It reminded me so much of these pictures:

 

http://and-i-found-you.blogspot.com/2011/03/baby-blue.html

 

Dawson is hanging out in his big brother Carter's camo sweatshirt.

 

Almost FIVE Roover Girl!

Zoo Day!

Carter and Ava are on spring break this week.  We still have many of our other activities going on: library story time, Ava's gymnastics dance combo class and kindermusik.  But this afternoon was free so we hit up one of our favorite hot spots, the Akron Zoo.  The weather in the afternoon was beautiful (well, for this winter at least) with a bright sun in the sky and 35 degree weather with no wind. 

 

 

Obligatory penguin photo

 

We are here to see the Grizzlies!

 

Both of the Grizzlies were sleeping in the cave behind Ava

 

We did the Journey to the Reef twice and found all the fish in each tank.

 

Carter is learning SO MUCH in kindergarten and I really noticed it at the zoo today.  He was pointing out the omnivores, carnivores and herbivores and identifying and explaining the differences between cold and warm blooded animals.

 

And then we came home to a blizzard.  WHAT!?!?!?!

 

Then we ended the day with a Daddy wrestling session.  It's become a nightly tradition!

 

And.....thanks to the zoo we have three kids that crashed pretty hard tonight.  Success!!

Career/Hobby Day at Ava's Preschool

 

Last week at Ava's preschool they had a Career/Hobby Day.  As Mike and I do not have very exciting careers (to preschoolers) so I asked Aunt Pam if she would come in.  She very kindly agreed and did a fantastic job of speaking with four and five year kids.  She brought a microphone, recorder and headphones and dressed Ava up as a little news reporter.  Thank you so much Aunt Pam!  The kids really had a great time!

A Taste of Spring

Carter had his first t-ball practice on Tuesday night.  Although it was fairly warm for recent winter temperatures, it was a chilly 45 degrees.  I was shivering most of the time, but I guess I should have gotten up and run around for awhile.  Carter said that it was a little cold but not too bad.

 

Almost caught it, but it's at your knee!

 

The coaches were working with him on taking a step when he throws the ball.

 

A little batting practice!

 

I'm so ready for warmer weather, at least on Tuesdays and Sundays so I don't have to shiver for two hours!

Congregation

So, this is going to be hard to explain but....Saturday night in Pittsburgh we went to a contemporary art exhibit called Congregation.  It was an interactive light display with different settings, including lights following each person, making an outline of your body and drawing lines between each person.  Pittsburgh's best tour guide took us there, and the kids had a ball and ran around like crazy things!

 

 

 

Aunt Margaret helping Ava

 

Meme, Me and Aunt Margaret

 

Dawson, Uncle Mike, Brendan and Carter playing around

 

Carter, Riley and Ava

 

Uncle Mike, Ava, Carter and Brendan

 

Fun Times!

 

 

St. Patrick's Day Shenanigans

 The leprechauns visited on St. Patrick's Day, but the laundry has been trying to kill me this week so I haven't had a minute to look at any of the pictures. 

 

The leprechauns made us a rainbow centerpiece out of legos!

 

The trap.  Ava's trap is in the middle with the Trojan horse on top, Carter's is on the right and Dawson's is on the left.

 

They did not disappoint!  Stickers, markers, and some Hershey kisses treats!

 

The Leprechauns also tried, but did not succeed in trapping the kids in their rooms.  Carter thought it was hilarious, but not poor Doc!  It turned him into a puddle of tears and he didn't know how to get out!

 

 

 

The leprechauns also peed in the toilets again, but Carter may be getting too smart for his own good.  He told me "I think it's just artificial dye in there."

 

I love having fun on St. Patrick's Day!  I can't wait to see what the leprechauns do next year!