Museum of Science

Isabella had an early release day today and Sienna didn't have school, so we took advantage of the free afternoon and took a trip to the Museum of Science.

It was a little too bright to smile (or even look at the camera) for this picture.
Our future archaeologists?!?

We explored the physics of playground swings.

A museum employee approached us and asked us if one of the girls could test out his hovercraft that he would be using in an educational program for Kindergartners through second graders. Isabella was a little nervous, but she tested the hovercraft that was powered by a leaf blower. It was really cool!

Elijah liked the model train.

He practiced brushing the gigantic teeth, too.

Isabella wrote some secret messages in the Discovery Center.

Elijah steered the boat which was new since our last visit to the museum.

I think that Elijah startled that little girl when he yelled, "Ball!" at the ball floating over a blower.

Sienna tried to make a car with these cool foam blocks.

The girls worked together to build an elaborate ramp.

Although the weather was beautiful today, we enjoyed our afternoon at the Museum of Science. We only had to fight the field trip crowds for a little while and the Discovery Center was essentially empty. It was great!

Dog-sitting

Our friends are away for a long weekend, and Mike offered up our services to dog-sit their dog, Giacomo. Needless to say, the girls are thrilled!!!! I think I'm Giacomo's surrogate Mama for the weekend because he follows me everywhere! We're having fun with him, but it'll still be several years before we'll be ready for a dog of our own. Elijah is usually afraid of dogs, but he's getting used to Giacomo. He keeps waving at him saying, "Hi, doggie!"

Weekend Excitement

We had mulch delivered this weekend, so Elijah got a close-up view of a dump truck in action. Could that driver be Henry of "Henry drive dump truck" fame?!?

Elijah wasn't the only one who was mesmerized!

Elijah even helped spread some of the mulch.

"Henry drive dump truck"

Elijah is a big fan of any and all trucks. We've depleted our public library's supply of truck books. Elijah especially likes the books I Drive a Dump Truck and I Drive a Garbage Truck. The first line of the dump truck book is: My name is Henry and I drive a dumptruck. For weeks now, Elijah has been telling us, "Henry drive dump truck. Jackie drive trash truck!" I love how he says it, so I wanted to capture it on video before he outgrows his baby voice.

Surprise!!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Elijah!

How is it possible...that this little guy...

isn't one year old...

...but TWO years old today?!?!

Elijah didn't really care about opening presents this year, but his sisters were happy to help him! Sienna even put on a Christmas dress for the occasion!

Mike let each of the girls pick a present for Elijah from the dollar store. Isabella chose these firemen,

and Sienna bought Elijah a teddy bear.

New books and a cute stuffed rat from Aunt Katy and Uncle Nathan! (Elijah was born in the Chinese Year of the Rat).New jammies... ...and Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots (Tracy and Mike's favorite childhood game) from Aunt Tracy, Uncle Jeff, Trevor and Sydney We gave Elijah a new helicopter...

...but he was much more interested in playing with the box!

Who needs new toys...

...when the box can provide just as much (if not more!) fun?!?

Check out this goofball!!

Here's the helicopter that came from that cool box!!!

Elijah loves all things related to transportation-especially dumptrucks, so I made him a dumptruck cake this year! The birthday boy checking out his birthday cake!

One of Elijah's newer words is "dumptruck." Now he can say, "dumptruck cake!"


He got this cool Monster Truck from his friend, Sammy.
Happy birthday, Elijah!!
Yum!!
This tired puppy is ready for bed after a fun birthday!!

Father/Daughter Dance

Our local YMCA and Rec Department organized a Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance for kids in first through fifth grade. Isabella couldn't wait to go to the dance with Mike and several of her friends!

When Isabella was asked to be a flower girl in our friend, Becky's, wedding three years ago, I made this dress just to see if I could make a flower girl dress. I used the material from the skirt that I wore in my friend, Sarah's, wedding in 2001. I was glad that Isabella could finally wear the dress since it was way too big when I first made it!

This bow is supposed to go on the back of the dress, but Isabella wanted to wear it in her hair!
Mike took Isabella out for dinner before the dance.

Sienna was ready for her pajama and popcorn party with her friend, Lauren.

Ready to party!

Since Lauren's older brother and sister went to the dance with their mom and dad, she came over to have a pajama party with Sienna.

They ate popcorn, snuggled up on the couch, and watched Monsters, Inc.

Isabella and Mike had a lot of fun at the dance. Mike said it could have been called "Ditch Your Dad Night!" Luckily, he knew a bunch of the other dads (and moms) from our neighborhood and from basketball. Isabella and her other first grade friends ran around, did the limbo and led a conga line around the dance floor. Afterwards, they went out for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. Isabella came home with a beautiful rose from the dance and chocolate on her face. She was so wound up when she got home!

They showed me how they danced.

This will be a fun tradition for Mike to continue with the girls for the next few years, and hopefully, Elijah will go to the dance with me some day!!