Museum Visit

The morning started out before daybreak. I awoke to a smothering of kisses. They were the open mouthed, slobbery kind. My baby boy was loving on his mama. I couldn't quite work up the gumption to get upset about the time since the kisses were so sweet and filled with love. He was simply adorable laughing and leaning over me, coming at me open mouthed and trying to give kisses. I just gave up on going back to sleep and got up for the day. We needed to get a move on anyway since we had planned to leave kinda early to go to the Children's Museum here in town. I had planned on packing our lunch to take with us but that was not meant to be. I pulled out all the fixin's for a great lunch. J decided to take that moment to pull out 2 packages of blueberries and dump them on the kitchen floor. The story gets better - he then proceeded to traipse through them, squishing each one with precision. I tried to laugh it off and tried even harder not to let it be a bad start to the day. I started to pick them up, the ones not smooshed beyond oblivion and J sat down and helped me. Having him help, so intently picking each one up, really changed my mood. It was a snapshot in time. He was trying so hard to pick them up with me and was so cute doing it.


Lunch was not made - there simply wasn't time after the blueberry debacle. I finished getting the kids ready and off the five of us headed to the big city. Everyone was in a good mood and I am extremely happy to report that we stayed that way for the entire day!


We made it to the museum in record time and the fun quickly began. Thankfully we had a free pass to get so that saved us close to $50!! We went right to the fun stuff. I had wanted to bring the stroller in and Daddy vetoed that idea in favor of keeping up with J. I think that was the only negative because I had to keep with my diaper bag and all the coats. Next time - bring a stroller. Right away there was a tricycle car wash area where the kids were able to ride their trikes through a pretend carwash. S tried to pull L but she was way too heavy for him. L loaded J on her trike, S rode alone - all was good. They got a rush out of riding through there. The giggles and fun started there and didn't end until we left 2 hours later. Next up there was an art studio where the kids made gingerbread men, painted on a castle and played in a real gingerbread house. J played on the sand table while all the fun creative play was going on. From there we headed up another level where there was a 3 and under room. I stayed there with J while Daddy took the other 2 off to explore the rest of the museum. J LOVED this room. Everything was his level and he had a ball. He climbed the stairs and headed over to this fenced part where he stood and giggled and laughed for a solid five minutes. It was absolutely wonderful to have this time to play with J. I think it might have been one of the first times he has played with kids his own size. We don't have anyone close by that his kids his age. The closest is 2 years old. J went from one to the other playing in that room. He pushed the button to play the bell, crawled underneath the crawl space, went down the slide and played in the play kitchen. I went right along with him, enjoying every second of it. We left there after an half hour or so to find the rest of our family. We found them at the race car exhibit. The kids would push the cars and the cars would race down and end up at the bottom. L & S enjoyed this one the most. S could have stayed there for hours sending those cars racing to the end. L ditched it for something more exciting though - driving a pretend motorcycle! There was a pretend race car and motorcycle. J was upset because I had to hold him in this area = he was getting ran over by the bigger kids. Daddy Piper took J through the noodles and he didn't enjoy that one bit. I took J back to the 3 and under room. On the way, we passed through the noodle thing and I wanted to try it. YIKES - I was totally having an anxiety attack and J was crying. I was hyperventilating because I felt claustrophobic. And I think my mini me felt the same way. Boy aren't we quite the pair. Back to the 3 and under room we went - safety :-) J and I finished up our museum trip in that room while Daddy Piper and the kids enjoyed the rest of the exhibits.


We were hungry at this point so it was off to find some grub. On the drive in, L remembered a Barrel kind of place was somewhere around here. She couldn't quite remember the name of the whole place but it was some kind of barrel (Cracker Barrel). She eventually saw a sign for it and was delighted when we chose that place for lunch.


Lunch went off without a hitch. Everyone ate great. J was the destructive monster, like usual. He just isn't the kid to sit still without having something to occupy him. He was taking his plate and holding it up to his mouth and eating lunch off it that way. He is just a way different child than L or S ever was. I know a parent isn't supposed to compare but it happens sometimes. As we were almost done with our lunch, an older gentleman came over and said "Picture perfect family" and complimented us on our family and in particular, the children's behavior. Gosh - that felt awesome! I did say though that he must not have seen Destructo in the corner : -)


We snagged some candy sticks and headed out. Naps were next up on the agenda. We did have to make a quick stop at the library for S to go #2. He had to go baaaaaaddddd and couldn't hold it one more second and the library was the closest stop. Back in the van, headed to the house. We got everyone settled down after more kids went #2 (what is up with that - they all had to go!!). Daddy Piper, J and myself napped while L & S just rested for their required hour.


After naps, S and I ran to Target to get the gingerbread house I forgot last night (when I totally rocked at coupon shopping - got $164 worth of stuff for $32 and that includes the last of my Christmas shopping. To date Christmas has cost us less than $200!!). S was buckled in the van and mentioned that the next Target trip, he wanted to bring his shopping cart. I surprised him by pulling back in the drive and grabbing it quick. The quick shopping trip was so bonding for us. I like having time alone with the kids like that. I think some of the best conversations we have are in the car.


Dinner was chicken and noodles, per S request. My chicken and black bean concoction I put in the crockpot this morning was a flop :-(


After dinner, the kids played and then had their bath where they were super wild. They watched Shrek the Halls and I nursed J to sleep then we decorated the gingerbread train with the big kids. I tried not to be obsessive about what goes where (SHOCKER!!) and just have fun and it worked - we had fun!!

The day went so well. No nasty exchanges or snide comments, well behaved children - all combined made for a very nice day!!!

Fun Family Times

We spent part of the day making cookies. It's always fun to bake and decorate cookies together. Messy and sugar together = a completely great experience!!

J was super upset when the kids headed out to play. He hates when they leave him behind. So he and Daddy walked out together. Daddy took the kids on a wild wagon ride around the yard. He has been doing these rides with L & S for awhile now. He included J this time. J LOVED it!! He squealed and L and S seemed to enjoy it even more riding along with J. The have been doing more on a threesome level now that J is mobile. It's fun to watch them interact and develop relationships amongst themselves.
J found some of L's glasses from her dress-up stuff. He has played with these things over and over and over lately. He and L played together with them today. Here are some pictures:

Bunch O'Sickies

We took advantage of the nice weather and took the sick Piper kids outside for a walk. I thought it would do everyone good to get from fresh air - it did!

I was going for a nice walk. Daddy turned it into an adventure. I think Dads are so much better at that. He pushed the kids fast and furious and they squealed with excitement!







I was going for a nice walk. Daddy turned it into an adventure. I think Dads are so much better at that. He pushed the kids fast and furious and they squealed with excitement!

Museum

We went to a Native American museum today with our homeschool group. It was another outing that proved to be so much fun! We learned about Native Americans from all over the world. There was a whole section of the museum dedicated to children, where they had projects to do and exhibits they could touch. The tour guide said our children were well behaved. It is always wonderful to hear our kids get complimented on their behavior. I always respond with "It's because they are homeschooled" :- )

Tonight was such beautiful weather so I ditched the dishes and headed out. I am not the best at this. I try to finish chores and then play and that doesn't work sometimes - the chores get done but the playing doesn't. I grabbed J and my camera and headed out to have some fun with my babies. They all enjoyed the swing set for a spell. I was trying new functions on my DSLR so some of the pics were blurry but still cute. Daddy came along and pushed for bit too while I snapped away. J still holds his breath for the first second or so after getting pushed. For a baby that spent his first 5 months of his life in a swing, he shouldn't be so scared of a swing.

The kids played soccer in their undies too. L put her dance moves to use while playing goalie tonight.

L is currently on her play computer checking her email and told her Dad - her blog is so cool. Yikes - they really do learn just what they see don't they?!

Monster Trucks

We took the older 2 kids to the monster trucks last night. We left the baby home with my mother. I felt so much guilt over leaving him behind but knew the noise would be too loud for him and it was almost too loud for L and S, even with their ear protection. We all had sooo much fun! It started after the kids usually go to bed so they were pumped about being up so late. We left our house about 5:30 and headed over to the wild blue yonder, about a million miles from home. We got parked and we went in search of the will call window to get our tickets. It was our first time in this particular stadium and we ended up walking all the way around the silly thing to find the will call window, in a million degree heat no less. We got the tickets and headed inside. After a quick potty break, we set out to find our seats. We stopped and picked out souvenirs first. We were getting the kids each a shirt but L passed on the shirt in favor of a pennant. S got a Grave Digger shirt - L got a Blue Thunder pennant. We got our hot dogs and drinks and found our seats. The kids were immediately awestruck by the size of the stadium. The whole experience was so much more thrilling through their eyes.

Waaaayyyy past bedtime!!

Side story before I forget. I was rushing trying to get ready to leave, my mother showed up early and I have the sort of mother that needs to be entertained and I wasn't ready so it was adding stress to the situation because I can't possibly entertain her while I get ready. L was in the bathroom with me, trying to get ready too. She needed her hair done and her body glitter on (yes I know - who wears body glitter to the monster trucks? My diva daughter does, that's who!). It turned out to be the best 10 minutes getting ready EVER! L was so into it. She wanted to blowdry her own hair, put a bit of powder on, the whole works then she picked out jewelry for both us. It was a blast, just her and I, getting ready for a night on the town!!

L's first attempt at blowdrying her own hair. I had the heat setting on cool so
it wouldn't burn her poor face.

More blowdrying!

L & I ready for the monster trucks while my baby looks on and wonders what's
going - where are these people going without me?!?

I need to finish up the details from this fun night but everyone is sleeping so I better get some sleep too - more tomorrow!

Family Fun Time

We had a nice, quiet Saturday.

It started out with a trip to the co-op to get fruits and veggies for the week. It wasn't so good this week. I think I am going to stop this for the summer again. It always seems to be better in the fall and winter. I had a kinda situation while there though. A man was walking his dogs and I think he got a bit friendlier with my kids than needed while on the playground. I don't believe a grown strange man should have contact with children and my internal radar agreed. It was innocent enough I suppose but I still got my kids right back by me and finished our business and off we went. My gut was hollering and screaming at me and I listened. I may have overreacted but oh well. After co-op we came home and had breakfast and I did some housework while the kids played. Daddy had his usual Saturday morning truck stuff to do. Noon time brought haircuts for 2 of my 3 boys - J is scheduled to his first haircut next week, which won't be a moment too soon.

After everyone having naps, S and I headed out to do some couponing. I got some free pens and saved 67% at the grocery store. Not too shabby. It was fun to have some alone time with S. He enjoyed the extra attention and I enjoyed the company. I sometimes get so frustrated when I want to run out alone and one or all the kids want to come with but today, I didn't even get a bit upset when he realized I was leaving and wanted to come along for the ride. I am trying to relax and enjoy their company more. They are getting so big, so quick and the days of wanting to be with their mother are numbered, I am sure. We had some fun conversation about PeterBilt trucks for his cats and dogs, listened to Cars Cars music and I spent the time soaking in his 3 year old wonderfulness.

Tonight the impending storm prevented us from swimming so we spent the evening playing Wii as a family. It was FUN!!!! "Okay Family - get MAD!" direct quote from S when I wasn't playing so hot and I said playtime was over. I was totally kidding and playing around. The kids were jumping on and off my back while I was bowling. Everyone had a great time. It was relaxing and enjoyable. Daddy beat the pants off everyone. After playing as a family and putting the kids to bed, Daddy Piper and I played some golf and tennis together. He won at golf (even on a video game, his natural athleticism comes through) BUT I whipped his butt at tennis!!

L is enrolled in a computer based curriculum and that starts not this coming week but the next. She and I are both excited to start this next phase of homeschooling. It will be great to challenge her more. She was a bit upset when she learned of some of her friends going off to a big school on Monday but when I explained they would be gone all day not just a few hours, she was better. There is a 1 day a week thing though at an academy I am thinking of enrolling L. I think she would enjoy the social aspect of it. She is a butterfly when it comes to other kids. She loves to be with them. It is getting time to settle back into routines around here. Dance and Daisys starts soon for her and Soccer for S starts right after that. L isn't playing soccer this time. She had to pick her activities since they will all be at night now and I wouldn't allow her to do 3 night things. So she picked to try Daisys, which is the beginning of Girl Scouts. J will be tagging along to those fun events :-)

J still isn't sleeping the best. Right now, he is in bed with Daddy, S is in the queen bed in J's room and L is snoring the night away. I should be sleeping but after my wonderful nap earlier and then sleeping the first part of the night, I am not tired. I better try to settle down though and get some shut-eye.....

Family Staycation

I was thinking while showering a few minutes ago (the only time I have to think, it seems), I never did a play by play of our mini staycation so here it goes!

7/3/09: We woke up on this bright and sunny Friday ready to enjoy some family time. Our vacation "Up North" has been postponed due to finances, the hotel vacation we planned was scrapped as well due to the same concerns (damn Recession 2009!) and in their place, we have planned 2 days of fun! We headed to a local museum we have been wanting to explore. But first there was the trip to PeterBilt for truck stuff (not fun nor vacation like at all!). We didn't get the breakfast we had planned before we left so after the truck stuff detour, we were hungry. We ran through a fast food joint to grab something before the museum. Daddy ordered and I was flustered not knowing what I wanted and he was crabby about it so I got nothing and we left. It was not the most pleasant way to start this family staycation :-( It did get better though! We hit the museum and spent about 2 1/2 hours exploring the dinosaur bones, the desert exhibit and a supercool Mars exhibit. We witnessed a flashflood event which included thunder and lighting. We also got to pan for gold!! Daddy helped with this fun experience. After panning for gold, there was an old jailhouse and holy moly - the kids were TERRIFIED here! It was noisy when anyone opened or closed the jail doors and all 3 of my babies were crying by the time we left this part of the museum. (p.s. I recognized this museum as one I had been on a field trip too, when I was in 5 grade... 20 years ago!) During this whole time, Baby J was along for the ride in his new (piece of crap-I returned the next day) stroller. He did wonderful just hanging out. He is a very easy baby. Just wants to be a part of everything and right up in the middle of the action. After we left the museum, we got lunch from Quiznos and headed to a local waterpark. One quick stop for some sinus pills though since Daddy Piper and I were both getting a headache - where I almost hit a speedy black car... OOPS! The waterpark was super empty for some reason. We all got changed into our swim clothes and ate lunch under a tree on a grassy knoll. I got sick right away from taking the pill without eating (remember me not eating earlier?). I hurled and back to the festivies I went. J enjoyed his fresh baby food and everyone else devoured their yummy sandwiches. Off to swim and enjoy the afternoon we go. Daddy Piper was a huge bucket of fun for the kids. He took them in the deep water, where I can't touch, and they got some swim lessons for the day. Then L & S started going down the small slide, the very one S wouldn't even attempt 2 weeks ago. L and Daddy went down the big slides a ton of times. She gets braver & braver every trip to the water. She even went down the dark, fast slide this time!! She didn't like it so much but at least she tried it. Back to the little slide. J and I hung out in the water and my headache just got worse and worse. He was beyond ready for a nap by this time so he and I packed up our stuff and went to the van. I drove him around the block and he fell fast asleep. I curled up and took a nap as well. We slept for an hour in the air conditioned van!! When I woke up, I crawled in the back and he was still sleeping. He woke up a few minutes later and we went back in the waterpark in search for the rest of our family. I couldn't find them anywhere. Their stuff was no longer under the tree and they were no where to be found. I started wondering if they called a cab to go home. J and I headed back to the van to call Daddy Piper and there they were walking out of the park - what timing!! We headed home to get ready for the rest of the fun events of the evening. L, S and J fell asleep on the way home :-) We moved everyone to their bed for a late naptime. Even Daddy and I got a nap in!!! The evening didn't go as planned either. I had asked for no outside stuff nor computer time to make it still feel like a vacation and the outside stuff still happened - which royally t'd me off. I hate to be so negative about this time we spent together. I just set up such high expectations for things like this and nothing usually lives up to it. I should learn by now not try to organize fun times but to just let them happen, since that's when they usually do. Dinner was brats and chips and dip. It was supposed to be by the fire pit up front but it was too darn hot, so it was inside - nothing special again not like I had planned.

7/4/09: After a restless sleep and being superbly irritated at how things have gone so far, we went to breakfast at a local cafe. It's a new place near us. Breakfast went wonderfully, even with all 3 kids. It was delicious food and great service. Back home to plan the rest of the day. It was decided to skip the movie (again I get so irritated with the change of plans!!). Daddy Piper took L & S in the pool and J and I slept for 3 hours!!!!!!!! I woke up refreshed. The dinner plan was scrapped (we were supposed to go out and watch fireworks and decided to stay home - AGH!). I bought KFC for dinner since staycation agreement was no cooking for mom. We all laughed and joked during dinner which was a nice change of attitude from the earlier afternoon around here. I got J down for the night and L and I played games and watched fireworks on TV for a bit while Daddy Piper and S looked around outside to see if our local ones had started. We played round after round of Uno. The 2 of us played both the regular version and the kid version. Daddy Piper and S were heading up on the roof to watch the fireworks and L wanted to stay inside. She has a very cautious spirit and the dark was scaring her. I was happy to just hang out with her. Playing Uno and laughing together was so wonderful. I thank God for giving me a daughter. Oh how I hope I am saying this same thing in 10 years : -) Well after playing hand after hand of Uno, L wanted to join the boys up on the roof so we brought along the monitor for J and headed up. We enjoyed the fireworks together for about 30 minutes. The kids loved seeing them and it was nice not to have to shield their ears from the sound (both have such sensitive ears). Back inside for bedtime!!

7/5/09: The movie was rescheduled for today so off we went. We saw Ice Age 3. I didn't see the option online for the 3D show so we saw the regular one. I was disappointed at first but think it worked out. I am sure after 2 minutes of the 3D experience and my kids would have been ready to split!! About 30 minutes into the show, J was done and ready to be moving again. He and I walked around the mall and window shopped for awhile together. We got back in time to watch the last 15 minutes. He has done so well for movies before but it was not to be this time :-( When we walked back in the theater, I could hear L laughing so I know she enjoyed the show. Daddy said S was ready to go home shortly after I left the theater with L. He is my homebody. When we leave, he has started asking how long until we get back home. The rest of the day was naps, pool time again, this time the whole family, a yummy steak dinner, baths and bedtime.

Our staycation didn't live up to my expectations but thankfully it did live up to the kids'. They had tons of fun. It never felt like a vacation for me. I still had to clean, do laundry, stay up all night with J.... all the usual which doesn't make for much of a vacation. Ugh - such negativity. The time spent together was fun, just not vacation-y.

Checking out the space stuff (I can't really tell - sorry!)

J was wondering what the heck was this new stroller and why wasn't I holding him,
like I normally do. I almost always "wear" him in some fashion or another but
wanted a bit of freedom to take pictures for this trip.

Again with the lip curl. Elvis reincarnated??

Getting ready for the flashflood. They are worried it will be loud!

Daddy and his boys. When will this flash flood start??

Okay it started and it was loud. Both my older kids have sensitive
hearing and it seems like J is following in their steps.

"Hang on Folks - it's gonna be a doosey!"

Weighing each kid to see what they weigh on Mars. No - I didn't
see how much I weighed, no need to know : -)

There was tons of fun contraptions to play with in the Mars room.

A loud dust cloud gadget and both kids were racing to cover their ears!

Panning for gold. They even got to bring some home. Fool's gold though, I think.

The boys had the gold fever.

L just wanted to play in the water : -)

J chewed on L's phone while wondering why he's still stuck in his stroller : -)

More panning for gold.

The very loud and scary jail. Hopefully they'll remember it sucks to be in
jail and they'll never break the law!!

My 3 babies at the waterpark after some yummy lunch and tons of
swimming, just before J and I bailed to catch a nap in the parking lot : -)

Brothers Two - S has really come to love his baby brother lately.
He has always tolerated him but lately has become so free with the hugs and kisses.

S put this big puzzle together alone 4th of July morning.
It was his first time completing it with no help!!