Children's Museum Mayhem

Today we took the kids to a local children's museum that we hadn't been to before.  It was so fun.  Just look at Libby's amazed face!

They have a Vet Clinic

A farm area

A fire truck area

It is enough to wear a kid (and their grown ups) out!

They have a fun rooftop area--it was raining, but that didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm except mine.  Ben loved this slide.  He went down it 3 times at least.

And it was a big slide!  He wouldn't go down any of the green smaller slides, I think they were too dark.  

I heard a whooshing splashing sound, and there was Sarah, going down an uncovered slide.  Yep.  Soaked.  But completely unperturbed.  

Dad loved rocking this jeep because it has springs.  Overall, a good time was had by all!  The only problem was that Ben fell asleep in the car on the way home (he NEVER does that) and then didn't take a real nap.  Until like 4:30 pm.  So I may be up until the wee hours with him tonight.  But at least I can blog and work on his photo book, right?

Fancy Mommy Daughter Date

My friend Emily moved...not too far away, but just far enough that we don't get to see each other as often.  So when her oldest had spring break, we went to O.G. for a fancy date with our girls.  It was really fun.  The girls chatted and ate and so did the moms.  It was perfectly good fun.  I need to work with my girls on their looking at the camera skills, obviously!

Ben's Skills

Can I just say that I love Ben?  He is constantly amazing me with what he picks up on.  If he sees me working in the dishwasher now, he opens the cupboard and gets out the dishwasher soap and wants to fill the spot where the soap goes.

He figured out how to open the front door (and would be able to open other doors in the house if we didn't have such sticky door knobs.)

Today in church the opening hymn started and he started shouting "BOOK, BOOK!" and wanted to grab me a hymn book since I hadn't grabbed one yet.

He knows where the binkies are stored (the top dresser drawer) and he is constantly scheming ways to try and get them.  Everytime I need the bathroom step stool, it is in his room.  He keeps trying it different directions, but he needs a few more inches.

I also love that he tells me when he is ready to sleep--he says "NAP, NAP" (even if it is bed time).

He can say Blankie and Binkie now.  

He also says Sarah.  He says all the rest of our names (He calls me Trish sometimes) but I didn't realize he was saying Sarah at first because it sounds like "HA!"

Now he wants me to take care of him, so I have to stop gushing about how great he is...but I'll finish with this.  When he eats something in the car that has a wrapper, he hands me the garbage.

What NOT to do

So I have a weak link.  My neck.  I inherited it from my mom.  I found something else to add to my list of what not to do if I want to keep my neck happy.

Manual Lawn Edging.

I didn't really want to buy the $250 power edger, and I didn't want to wait for Derek or our new lawn boy to get there.  Stupid, Stupid Trish.  I paid for it.  I haven't seen anything to my left without turning my whole body for 3 days.  Sleep has been tough.  Anyway, lesson learned.  For the time being anyway.

Karaoke Rock Stars

Last night for a church party we had a karaoke night.  One of our members is Japanese and has a sweet karaoke set up.  Turns out we have 3 rock stars in the family!  Libby, Sarah and Daddy!  Sarah asked to sing and I wasn't sure if she would actually sing.  We picked Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for her and she got up there--totally not shy and busted it out!  Libby joined her, but Sarah had zero problem singing alone.  She was loud and proud and sounded great.  I was super proud!  

Derek, of course, pulled out his Sweet Caroline to get the evening rocking.  Pictured below is Derek singing "Take me Down to the Paradise City" with Darin--one of my favorite guys in the ward.  See if you can tell what his shirt says:  I HAVE THE BODY OF A GOD.  In the middle is a picture of Budda.

Most of the kids did backup dancing on the stage during the singing.  Libby and Reid did some awesome partner dancing.  It was adorable.

Libbyisms

Apparently Aunt Maren and Libby were having a conversation where Libby told Aunt Maren she daydreams in school.  

Maren:  "Why do you Daydream Libby?"

Libby:  "One word.  TEMPTATION."

Sarah Before and After

I forgot to post her before and after pics.  She is getting so big!  I had to get her new underwear this week and she chose a superhero pack.  Supergirl, batgirl, and wonderwoman.  She told me today that she can't wait to show everyone her new panties.  I told her maybe she should just tell people about them???

Spring Break!

I have never been so excited for a spring break in my life.  Ok, maybe that is an exaggeration, but I was so ready to have a week with fewer expectations!  I didn't have to get Libby on the bus every day, I didn't have to get Sarah to preschool.  It was so nice!  I did teach a few extra classes, but it felt like the good old days when life was more about me.  It was a good week for cold recovery for me.  I am almost there I think.  

We did have one excursion to the Science Center.  We went with the Barrett cousins (Alayne took some good pics of the whole group that I need to get.)

It was crowded and a bit over my kids' heads in some places, but it was fun!  Ben wasn't so sure about the dinosaurs, but he loved the giant caterpillar statue.  Sarah loved all of it and so did Libby.  The butterfly room was especially awesome.  Butterflies are truly beautiful and incredible!

Anyway, I am ready to get back to the daily grind.  I think.