Not just for kids!

We enjoyed a mini-vacation with G&G M. during their visit. As you can see, Peter was ready to go!

Our primary destination was the Creation Museum, but we also visited the Cincinnati Children's Museum. We love children's museums, and the one in Cincinnati is excellent! Everyone enjoyed it (even the adults!)

The building itself is really cool. We have a few pictures, but you can see some really great ones here. It's an old railroad station which has been converted into a center for a couple different museums.

A historical mural painted on the ceiling inside depicts American life from coast to coast.

The children's museum had a great combination of toddler-geared areas as well as sections for "bigger" kids (think couple thousand square foot jungle-themed adventure room.)

The room of balls was definitely a favorite and kept everyone intrigued for quite a while.

The kids tried their hands at a few new chores . . . (Jenny was VERY excited to see Hannah using the iron!)

Lots of building going on . . .

And everyone lived happily ever after!

Although we did wear out our two little explorers. :o)

Field Trip Fun!

Just before G&G M. arrived, Hannah's class enjoyed a field trip to . . . well,we were supposed to go to Niven's Apple Farm, but the Lord sent abundant rain that week and the fields were too water logged. (The farm called up that very morning and canceled!) So some last minute scrambling . . . uh, planning . . . on the part of the wonderful Mrs. Perry led us to the zoo. Thankfully three year olds can be very flexible and are simply excited to do anything new and "special."

Hannah, along with all of her friends, thoroughly enjoyed her first ride on a school bus.

The zoo recently installed a really nice new playground. The kids soon forgot all about the fact that they were supposed to have gone on a hay ride as they explored the new equipment and had fun climbing, spinning, and rolling!
Of course, we also enjoyed seeing all of the animals! Lions . . .

And elephants . . .

Giraffes . . .

And bears! Oh my!

What happened?!?

Yes, I know I'm very behind . . . but a very busy week followed by a wonderful visit from my parents have left little time for blogging! Posts arriving soon . . .

Evening Fun

All work and no play makes for a very dull day!

Push me "so high," Daddy!

Peter's just glad to be able to climb without having someone derail his efforts!



Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could combine the long days of summer with the cooler weather of fall? Ah well! We'll enjoy the season even with the shorter days.

Happy Fall!

Our Helpers

Praise the Lord for a kitchen peninsula! Considering that the counter is THE place to be when Mommy's making dinner, I am VERY thankful to have the space to make it an enjoyable and safe time! Somehow I suspect it would not have worked so well in our old kitchen!

Did I need the pasta stirred? Nope! But it kept Peter quite content, and he undertook it as seriously as he does everything else. :o)

And after dinner, our helpers migrated downstairs to assist Daddy in removing the nails from the trim.

These two pictures crack me up--they so clearly reveal our children's completely different personalities. Hannah's just happy to be with everybody . . .

and Peter's determined to figure out how something works.

Life is never boring around here. Come join the fun!

Making Music

If ever you're looking for a creative way to play drums, try putting a tea cup on your foot and hitting it with a spoon . . .

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord."
Psalm 100:1

I truly believe God had children in mind when He wrote that!

Mushrooms anyone?

Need mushrooms for your salad this evening?

Two Mommies!

When I heard a high pitched little voice start laughing and call out, "Two Mommies! Two Dieters!" I realized that Hannah had really learned to cross her eyes!

Whew!

We made it through last week! A crazy work schedule for Chris and colds brought on by the delightfully cooler weather of fall left us all a bit ragged. Jenny still sounds like a crow (no joke!), but for the first time since last Monday her energy levels have started to pick up again. Hopefully she can pick up the slack as Chris fights his own round with the tissue box. Overall, the kids have been cheerful and obedient and playing well together, which makes thing so much easier when Mommy is not feeling well. We're looking forward to Grandma and Grandpa M's visit later this week! Here's a few snapshots from last week . . .

A round of ball accompanied by hysterical giggles . . . .

Coloring has been Hannah's favorite activity of late. The markers rarely made it back to the drawer last week.

And of course if she's enjoying it, Peter should be too . . .

Peter, however, is more concerned with why he cannot get his block through the hole . . .

the trim off the wall . . .

or the Lego where he wants it.

Happy Monday!