Take Your Kids to the Art Museum

At least to the hands-on area made specifically for kids! We have heard about Bart's ArtVenture at the Birmingham Museum of Art for a while now. Honestly, I was really nervous to take them. Yes, they are quiet (for the most part) at the library and Andrew understands to use his very quiet voice at Mass, if needed. But, I don't know...this was just different, ya know? But, the good thing (in case all went terribly wrong...) was that it was FREE!! 

 Alex chilling in the comfy oval

 Andrew (and Alex off to the left) playing with the giant peg board

Andrew and Alex having a blast with the giant touch screen. Pretty cool!

 Love what they made together

 Andrew and our friend's son, Gerald, playing with the magnetic sticks (not sure of the actual name, but they are very cool)

 Alex at the chalkboard table

 And. clearly, you can see that they had so much fun at the museum!

If you have an art museum that has a hands-on kids area, I highly recommend checking it out! 

Our #1 tip: Get there RIGHT when they open! Amanda and I were so happy to see that it was a slow morning. All 3 boys had the place to themselves for about an hour! It was great :) Also, it WAS 1/2 price day at the zoo - which we stay FAR away from on those days - so that may have added to the slow morning. Most importantly...have fun!!

 

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I feel like I just wrote about June coming to an end...and now we are a bit over half way through with July! We had a few outings this week (and last). We have also made a few changes around the house as the summer moved along.

They boys have been enjoying their bunks so much! But, as we have had them sharing a room once before, we knew what we were we getting ourselves into. We were hoping that they were big enough to know a bit better, but...well, being almost 4 and a bit over 2 is tough work. Luckily, I remembered this clock I saw a good while ago at Barnes & Noble. And, a few friends have been using similar types of clocks for their little ones. Have you heard of the OK to Wake Clock?? It is GREAT!

Source - Amazon

While I was looking for the clock, Andrew and Alex played with the legos. Afterwards, we headed over to the Starbucks and got a goodie. Funny story... I told that that B&N is really a grown-up store and the people like to read their new books and have coffee QUIETLY. I told them we could sit in the cafe, too, but they had to be really quiet. It was amazing... They whispered how good their M&M blondie was and how other mommies that were there had hair like me or a stroller like Alex's. It was so funny. We may need to go there again when this mama needs the peace restored.

Anyway, back to the clock...

That thing is awesome. It glows green when it is time to get up. It glows a soft yellow to be a night light. It even has a nap time setting for Alex! They were getting up way to early...like, 5am too early. Um, no... I do NOT think so, little people. So, now they have this clock that "tells" them at 7am they are allowed to come out/wake up/etc. They still are up early, but they now know to stay in bed and NOT wake up mommy or daddy. That was getting old...

And speaking of getting up early, call me crazy, but I'm getting back into it. I know, I know. Pregnant and all getting up early. But, you know...I need that morning quiet time to myself before I have to get on with the dad. I am back to enjoying that glorious cup of coffee without microwaving it 40 times. I actually HEAR the news instead of catching bits and pieces here and there. I love it.

Can you tell I love it?! The morning sunshine ALL to myself in the backyard. I hear the birds singing and the "babbling brook" in our neighbor's backyard. I love that they have that water feature... 

And while we are talking about birds...that sweet cardinal couple had some babies!! Here is one of their little boys who still has his fuzzy head, but that wonderful red coloring. He comes around all the time and his parents are usually sitting on the fence just watching him close by. Sweetest thing ever. 

I have a few more bird stories...

Gotta love a good macaw picture! Yep, we headed to the zoo - again! 

While we were there, look what we found!! A mama Guinea hen with her eggs. A LOT of eggs!! When we were back earlier this week, she and the eggs were gone and placed safely somewhere else. We are hoping to see some sweet little chicks in the future! 

Last weekend...

I read a post somewhere from a mom who took here little guys to Lowe's for the Build and Grow Clinics. Her kids were about Andrew and Alex's ages. The website says "recommended for 5 years or older." She was talking about how hers love building and such just like mine do. I read on to see that her kids loved it and said that really any age can do it. So, I signed up Andrew for last weekend's project - the Pizza Planet Truck from Toy Story! Perfect! I begged Jason to take some pictures for me and just look at my little builder man!

He loved it!! Jason said that there were other kids there that were even younger and thinks that Alex will definitely be able to do it, too! So, Alex is signed up for the next project - RC from Toy Story! YAY! 

SUCH a cutie in his Lowe's apron - complete with his Toy Story badge for completing his project!

Look how cool that is!! Thanks, Lowe's!

Are you wondering where Alex was during all of this?

He and I ran a few errands and squeezed in a goodie...

At Dunkin Donuts!! He, of course, chose to sit at the donut table that matched his donut! Love it :)

A lot of fun went on last weekend. We made s'mores!!! YUM! 

This summer we have been working on their workbooks in between the fun and games. Alex is working on his cutting skills and tracing/easy mazes. Andrew is doing the same, just the next level up. Kumon workbooks are the best!!

We have been going on our morning/evening walks, too.At the beginning of the summer they only wanted to do our street plus a few more steps down another. Now, we do the our street, the next one, and a few more steps. 

Puzzles are great, too! This is a gift from one of our friends who got to visit us while on a trip up here! Thanks, Jessi!!

We have had so much fun these past two weeks, can you tell? After parking in the garage and getting things out, they were STILL sleeping. And this isn't just one day...this has been happening for much more than that. Cracks. Me. Up. Especially, when I get closer to having two "Mr. I'm Not Tireds" in the House. 

I hope your summer is going great, too!

The Last 2 Weeks

Holy. Moly.


I get the idea that child number 3 an easier transition that child number 2. But, the pregnancy? Oh, my. I have never been so tired. I'm gone by the boys go down for nap time / quiet time. Goodness.

Anyway, here is a quick recap of the past two weeks at the house. Hope everyone is doing well and surviving the green death - also known as...pollen.

{Week 1: April 1-6}

We had a great first week of April! We played a lot outside with new sidewalk chalk and bubbles (thanks Kristie!). Alex and Braxton (and his cousins) played at the McWane Center. Alex fell asleep during our errand runs. Andy worked on his writing. And, Jason and I finally had a movie night of our own in the comfort of our living room. Great start to April!!

{Week 2: April 7-11}

 This week started off on the obnoxious side. 

First, the boys got that wacky-no-reason-that-any-doctor-can-think-of fever virus. It was just a high fever. Nothing else. Super weird. Anyway, so because of that I couldn't have anyone watch the boys while I went to my ultrasound/checkup. I finally got Jason to stay home. I had already changed this appointment, like, 3 times. I was going to see this baby Monday, people. Not any other day. So, off I go...to find this...

 

Um, what?! Yep. A fire truck. Sweet. And where are the firemen? In my tower the floor below where I was headed... Nice. When is my appointment? In 15 minutes... I ran into some nurses and found out that there was an equipment fire on the 5th floor. And the whole tower was shut down for (what we thought) another hour or so... ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME?! Luckily, by 9-something, we were finally able to get to where we were going. But the elevators where booting up, so took the stairs. And, getting your blood pressure taken once you arrive after taking 8 flights of stairs is not good. Anyway, an hour later, I finally get to see this:

 Baby number 3!!! If you look really closely, you can see little arm and leg buds. Cute.

And later that day...we came back to the doctor. On the other side of the hospital campus for the boys' appointments. Where, magically, their high fevers disappeared. It would be nice if that magic portal would appear in a much more convenient place...like the doorway to their rooms or something. Sheesh.

I had to take this pic. Bad day for BURGER King if that is all they have. Though, I wouldn't mind a Coffee King. Yum.  

Taking a day off from school to make sure Andy is better. 

Getting a car wash with yummy Sonic slushies. Those always make people feel better. 

Yucky, rainy day Thursday...

So we made paper airplanes and turned our living room into an air show! Andy LOVED it! He is pretty good at throwing them, too. He made his plane go really far!! Here is the paper airplane we made, if you want to have an air show, too.

That is it for the first two weeks of April. Next up:

Alex's 2nd birthday!!!!

Crafting - Toddler Style

 Millions of crayons make for a great afternoon

 

 Especially if there is a box of brand new crayons! Anyone else love that new crayon smell?

 The boys have been working on a weekly project "marking off" each week of Lent. While they are busy adding stickers to their shape of the week, I read them a Station of the Cross or an Easter book.

 One afternoon was a little wild, so we had to chill out a bit. We made some Easter bunnies. Which...on a side note...what on EARTH does an whimsical rabbit have to do with Jesus? I finally figured out the mystery behind the Easter eggs...and that was found in a book. It was not taught in Catholic school or Sunday school... So anyone out there know?

 Playing with playdoh :)

Andy's 1st Day of School {New Preschool!}

Did that throw you off a bit? It's January, you don't usually see first day of school pictures this time of year, but since we had a school change, here we go.

Andy LOVES it!! He is so excited about going to school and seeing his friends and his teacher. He brings home a cute project every day. I go in to drop him off and pick him up (the last school it wasn't allowed) so I get to talk with his teacher and see how things are going. This is the best decision ever! AND!!! It's a Catholic school, so he knows almost all of the prayer before our meals. We have been working on it at home too, but the extra help (and seeing kids his age learning it, too) has been great. He also knows some of a song we sing at Mass, too!! LOVE IT!! Such a great place. We are so happy to be here!! Now, on to the pictures!

 My little guy is super excited!! We met his teacher a few days before and he just LOVES her!!

This is Andy's first project he brought home. He stuck the tissue paper pieces where the glue dots were placed. He said he made the "3" have some blue because he is 3 and that's his color. Cutie pants!

I have been taking pictures of every project he had brought home and plan on making him a little photo book of all his stuff. I know the grandparents want to see these pictures, so having a little project book with us when we visit might be fun. :) 

I want to keep all of his things, but not have it take over the fridge. Any ideas? What do you do with your kid's school stuff?

Happy Thanksgiving from Our House to Yours!

 Over the weekend we made a craft to share with everyone! 

Such a fun Saturday morning with my family!!

Wordless Wednesday

Lots and lots of crayons makes for a great afternoon!

DIY I Spy Bottle

You know you have seen them around Pinterest, within other blogs, or even in the stores. I Spy Bottles. Super cool idea, right? Well, it is even super easy to make!

Thanks to the nifty tutorial from Meet the Dubiens, I got this project done for both boys earlier this afternoon. It is so cute!! I made theirs Christmas themed with snowflakes, Santa, an elf, etc.

Here's how I made mine:

 2 clean plastic containers - 

Mine are from Target (of course) that held Christmas candy corn. 

I wish I took an after picture. Basically, I used nail polish remover and hot water/soap to remove the sticker residue. Ick!

An assortment of trinkets - 

All from Hobby Lobby. These are those little scrapbook/button embellishments. The ones with the button hole on the back I just clipped off. Also, to reduce (hopefully) chaos, Andrew has a blue light and a snowman with a blue scarf. Alex has green. We will see... :)

You will also need some plain white rice to hide those little stinkers, like Mr. Elf here. Isn't he cute?

Finally, we don't need any extra messes to clean up, so grab a glue gun or some crazy glue for extra protection from the toddlers. 

And there you have it! A Christmas I Spy Bottle!

**Linked up with**
Lil Luna - All Things Good
The NY Melrose Family
Southern Lovely
Smart! School {House} 
Miss Information 
Diana Rambles
Skip to my Lou 
Mercy {Ink} 
Hey Mommy, Chocolate Milk 
Lil Luna - All Things Good

Wordless Wednesday

Leaves in the Backyard

A couple days ago, the little guys and I were enjoying the wonderful weather in our backyard.They loved that the yard had a lot of leaves. I don't think we had that many leaves last year -- I might have to get a rake! They went to "work" and even did some art our back. Good times!

Hard at "work" at the leaf yard.

Andrew and Alex always make a big show of telling me "Bye, Mommy. I love you. We going to work now." And then if I don't say this part on my own... "Mommy, tell us to be careful and have a good day." LOL 

Oh, and then I asked Andrew what I was supposed to do (I figured I was a part of their game...enter buzzer -- wrong)... Andrew says, "Mommy, you don't work. You stay home by yours self." I said, "Oh. That's it?" He said, "Oh, you make cookies for us when we get home from working hard."

HAHAHA!! What a man, right?! 

 Ok, no problem... I'll just get back to reading my book. Which, by the way, as a part of the Year of Faith this is only of my reading material and WOW. Are all Vatican documents a hard read?! Goodness. I am on Chapter 2 of the Sacrosanctum Concilium and I have so much more respect and love for our Church now. So much time, effort, prayers, etc went into making our Church what it is today since 33 AD. WOW. 

 

 I check back on my little worker men after a few sections... cute, aren't they? What is that they have now??

 Why it is a giant branch, of course! Which, they shake up and pluck leaves off of to finish their "work" for the day. :)

Now it is time for some leaf graffiti! WOOT! Gotta love sidewalk chalk. Awesome for them = make a giant mess on clothes. Awesome for me = it does wash off pretty easy :)

Ah, a good late afternoon in the backyard. LOVE IT!