Art pavilion ... again

The boys love the art pavilion. I, unfortunately, don't like the price. So, every once in awhile I will brave the $1 days and the crowds that come along with it to let them have some fun. This time, we managed to stop by at a time when they really weren't that busy (yeah).

They started by exploring a cave with cave drawings. They could have made their own, but my boys were way more interested in the flash lights. Their interest waned quickly when they realized only one flash light worked.


Then it was off to the bus, market and drums. Nick and Zander both love the bus, but so does every other kid at the pavilion. So, he spent some quality time making (loud) music.


Then it was upstairs for some dress-up. Zander was loving this, but Nick was bored after just a few seconds.


With an outfit like this I can't say I blame him.


So, we were off to his second favorite place: the art studio. It's a crafter's heaven (on a good day). They have paper, crayons, colored pencils, markers, scissors, glue, buttons, fabric and every other kind of thing that could possibly be incorporated into an art project.


The pavilion does a great job trying to incorporate the adult exhibit into a kid-friendly something. This time it was Mexican art and the boys loved playing in Frieda's kitchen. It was great, the play food was even authentic with tacos, burritos and refried beans!




And I of course had to take advantage of the natural light and my camera's timer function. Now if I could only find a good way to focus without being completely conspicuous! Love this one though!!!

Self-portrait: Zander

Zander loves taking my little point and shoot camera and taking pictures all around the house. Lately, he's taken to trying to catch himself on camera. Usually he flips the camera around too fast and ends up getting a blur of wall, but sometimes he actually catches something.


And this ... this isn't too bad. I don't know how the heck he managed to hold the camera steady enough to get his eyes that sharp. I can barely do that with that camera.

Busy day

It was another rainy day (never fails on holiday weekends) but we made the most of our day off! Nick started the day feeling a little crafty so I tried to find an art project. He wanted to make flowers like the fake ones in a vase in my room. We tried. The glue failed. But, Nick and Zander still had fun with the construction paper, scissors, glue and markers.


Sure, the flowers look cute, but they were supposed to have a straw stem that just wouldn't adhere to the pom center with a glue stick. Nick glued his flowers to a piece of paper to make a garden, then used the scraps to build a house next door. Not bad.



Then Mike took Nick on an hourlong bike ride on the third-wheel he pulls behind his bike. The rain stopped for most of the ride, but they both came back looking like wet dogs. Nick was drenched from head to toe and covered in mud splatters to boot.




Since Nick and Mike were already wet I decided to bring Zander out to enjoy the fun. The boys played and splashed in the rain for about 20 minutes before Nick ended the fun with a massive temper tantrum. I think the lack of sleep during his sleepover really got to him.






We ended the day with a trip to the bowling alley (a first) and dinner with friends. Nick and Zander both loved it, though they definitely struggled taking turns. We also had some trouble with the kid-size balls getting stuck behind the lane which slowed down the games and lengthened the time they needed to use their patience.

Look at that form.


Zander spent much of his day right there, throwing a fit because he wanted it to be his turn. It got a little better during the second game (I stopped playing so the cycle was shorter), but he definitely needs to work on some patience. Then again, so do I.


We all had to help Zander get his ball down the alley. He got it stuck in the middle once, but usually I could get just enough on it that it at least made it to the end.


Don't they look like they love each other? Like they get along? It's all a big facade. Seriously, they were at each others throats most of the day.


And then there was little D. He was cracking me up. That kid is a character, but he was really good today!! I think his mom likes to tell me stories about how he is naughty at home so I feel better about my brood.

Only child

Nick stayed with Mike's parents Saturday night leaving Zander to pretend he was an only child for a day. He got to play with any toy he wanted. Eat whatever he wanted for lunch (Nick usually chooses for both of them -- and Zander still didn't eat it even when he chose it) and have all the lovin' and kissin' he could possibly get from me. Personally, I loved it, but found myself wondering what exactly it was we did all day prior to kids. Heck, even before we had two kids. Zander is known for his piercing screams and loud laugh, but in between, the house was oddly silent. And I don't think I liked it.

It didn't help that it rained ALL day and we were mostly stuck inside. We did sneak out for a few minutes in the afternoon and as soon as were out the door Zander wanted to get the pool out. I let him (you know, that whole only child spoiled thing) even though it was probably only 75 degrees. He was cold but still played in it for quite awhile, even when the sprinkles started falling from the sky.

He started right away by dunking his head in.


Then he had to come tell me how cold it was. Um, yep. Get away. I don't want to be cold.




He jumped in. Sure looks safe, doesn't it?


Gave me a bunch of silly faces. (The doc keeps telling me those feet are going to straighten out. I still don't believe him.


Then he sat on the edge and fell in on his bum.


And had to tell me how much it hurt laughing all the while.

Morning fun

I usually spend Saturday mornings home alone withe boys while Mike is running. Today was no different, except that the boys were actually getting along. I love it when that happens. All photos are courtesy of Nick.

First, they used the big Mega Blox to build airplanes, which they flew into Nick's room and parked in the garage.


When that got old they decided it was moving day. They packed up everything (and I do mean everything) in their truck (the loveseat) and then used the kitchen chairs to drive away. When they got to their new home they started unpacking right away. Very efficient, these two. I never got a picture of the mess but here is Nick's picture of Zander peeking out of the truck.

The joys of motherhood

Tonight started out great. We finished up dinner early. The kids ate everything (don't get too excited, we made chocolate chip pancakes for dinner). And we were heading out on a bike ride. We always make a pit stop in the park to give Nick and Zander some time to burn off the extra energy before heading home. Mike was with Nick on the swings and I was helping Zander on the fireman's pole. He had just paid the toll (a kiss) and I asked for a hug. I got a lot more. When I hugged him he puked down my shoulder and the front of my shirt. He immediately felt awful and kept repeating "Sorry mommy. Sorry." I felt so bad for the poor guy.

We went into the bathroom and cleaned up the best we could but apparently they don't like to put paper towels or hand dryers in park bathrooms so I was stuck with a soaking wet shirt the entire ride home (it's hard to see here, but the entire right side of my shirt is wet). Yeah for being a mommy!


Can't you tell how excited I was? At least Zander felt better.

What about the bed: part 3

Seriously kid, this is getting a bit ridiculous. You might remember this and this. Tonight I found this when I went to turn off Zander's light.


Mike had to lift up the bed so I could get him out.