Day at the Museum

We had a rainy day on Thursday so we opted for an inside activity. My friend Kim and I took all of our kids to a museum in Raleigh called Marbles (http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/). This place is WAY cool! If you live near by and haven't gone, you need to go! We only did a small portion of the place and were there for about 3 hours. There is a huge area that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. It is like a "mini city" with a boat you can fish from, an ambulance, fire truck, grocery store, post office, farm stalls, garden, etc - complete with props - with everything from dress up clothes for the ambulance and fire truck to mini wheelbarrows for the garden. The kids had a blast.

my little fireman

and fire-woman!

driving the boat

riding the "packaging truck"

(Kim with Jackson, Avery, Katelyn)

they even had a place for art projects (we had glue everywhere - it was just dripping off of avery and katelyn's papers!)

I will say that we were pushing nap time when we left. By the time we were on the elevator in the parking deck, both girls were screaming crying!!! Good thing Kim and I could just laugh!

avery

Quick Avery story -

We were walking by the fountains at the mall and Avery asked if she could throw some "monies" in...I replied that I didn't have any money - I was broke. She stopped at looked at me from head to toe and said very seriously, "I don't see any cracks." I just died laughing!

Things I'm Loving Lately - Part III

Griffin's "Things I'm Loving Lately" List

1. Jumping - mommy used to tell everyone that I ran everywhere I went...but now she's started saying that I jump everywhere I go! I just go back and forth jumping across the living room. and I have mad ups - I can actually get both feet off the ground at the same time!

2. Sister's dress-up stuff - this one drives my daddy crazy. i love to do everything that avery does...and this includes wearing tutus, high heels, Easter hats, necklaces, and bracelets. for some reason, when I'm all dressed up, my daddy calls me "Elton!" 3. Band aids - i learned this one from avery as well. I'm really into "ouwies" and need mommy to kiss them immediately and frequently. I can now say "band aid" and ask for them repeatedly, regardless of if I need one or not.
4. Bugs - I love bugs...and I'm not afraid to pick them up. Mommy's afraid that something is going to bite me soon. I also love to try to catch flies. I take the towel off of the kitchen counter and swing it at them saying "Buh."

5. Newly learned words - I have lots of these and say something new almost everyday. here are a few: drop, throw, catch, amen, cookie, wha wha (water), sissy, a-e (avery), croc-croc, chalk,up high, wet, peepee, cheese, watch, i did it

"Face to Face"

Avery came up with idea - she loves to sit "face to face" with Griffin to eat. The only bad thing is that they throw the food they don't want onto the other's tray!

Gammy's Visit

Gammy made the long drive up from Mobile, Al for a long weekend visit. She arrived just as the kids were waking up from naps on Thursday afternoon. Griffy warmed up instantly and offered a constant stream of kisses and giggles. And Avery was thrilled to wake up to Gammy's face!

Gammy always comes bearing gifts - new play clothes, alphabet books, and bubbles! The kids had a great time trying to blow their own bubbles and then catching Gammy's bubbles.


Gammy and I took the kids to the pool on Friday so that she could see avery swim. This weekend was the hottest weekend all summer so the pool felt great! I worked on Saturday so Brent and Gammy had the challenge of entertaining the kiddos all day! They went to chic-fil-a for lunch and had a birthday party to go to in the evening. And when I arrived home from work, the dishes were clean, the house was vacuumed, and the kids were bathed and in bed! How nice! We just hung out the rest of the weekend. I think Gammy is pooped - she entertained the kids all day every day! Avery is really into imagining and pretending - so she and gammy spent hours (literally) "going" to the park, school, church, doctor,etc - all while sitting on the couch!!!

Avery slept in her pack-n-play in the same room with gammy - which avery thinks is pretty cool to do. she is way too big for it - and can climb out by herself. here is what we found when we went to wake her up on day from her nap...

Thanks for coming gammy - we love you!

Things I'm Loving Lately - Part II

Avery's "Things I'm Loving Lately" List

1. White Donuts - a few months ago, I discovered my love for "white bagels" when Gammy brought us some at the beach...mommy gets them every now and then and I get so excited every time! they are so messy but oh so yummy!

2. Stickers - I am really into art projects and crafts. I love to paint and do chalk. But more than anything, I love stickers. I would go through and entire pack in one sitting if mommy let me. I stick them on paper and all over myself.

3. Big Girl Cups - I just got some new big girl cups and love to drink out of them. I have to drink very slowly but I can do it. My favorite part about big girl cups is that I can have a cup of milk to dip my graham crackers in! (my favorite bedtime snack!)

4. My butterfly dress - I always request to wear this dress when mommy says we're going some where. So I've been wearing it a lot lately! I love to go up to anyone (especially strangers) and show them my pretty dress and sandals.

5. So You Think You Can Dance - This is my favorite TV show. I get to stay up a little late on wednesday nights so that I can watch some of this. I always have to put my "princess" clothes on so that I can look like all the dancers. I spin around, break dance, and sometimes make mommy and daddy dance with me!

Food and Friends

We had the Runkles and the Likes over for dinner Saturday night. It was a little hot and sweaty at first but ended up being a nice evening outside. The kids played hard and were dirty messes by the time the night was over! We enjoyed the time with friends and dinner was delicious!

Avery and Katelyn

Griffy and Creighty

Griffy's newest "cheese" face

all the kiddos (actually playing while the adults got to eat!)