Papa and Grannie took the kids to the local aquatic center for a school fundraiser while Tom and I went out for our anniversary. I sent them with our waterproof camera!
Category Archives: Playing
Sibling play time
She was trying to brush his hair and he was having none of it. So she just sat on him.
After which this ensued.
A quick visit to the splash pad
Friends invited us to the pool but then as can quickly happen with kids, behavior went downhill and they cancelled. We were already dressed for water so I took them to the splash pad. It worked out better, though, since we were awaiting the arrival of Grannie and Papa!
Braving Chicago, Day 2: Shedd Aquarium
Starting the day with bear hugs.
Going into the pool (aka basement) for breakfast.
Arriving at Soldier Field after parking in the garage (it’s kitty corner from the aquarium).
Waiting patiently while we get our free (!!) tickets!
Getting ready for a 4-D movie short.
Do you know what these are?
How about now?
Shark eggs!
We got a stranger to take our group pic…
But of course I had to do a selfie!
After a somewhat agonizing drive home through rush hour traffic, we arrived to this:
I’m glad we got to see our friends, but after two full days in Chicago I cannot understand how people there don’t go postal. Between traffic, bikers, and congestion, I had a headache almost the entire time I was in a car plus I got stuck in rush hour coming home today so that made it a sucky ending. I understand there is a crap ton to do there but it’s just not for me. So I was right, I will be visiting even less then I visited DC because at least DC was only 20 minutes away. Caitlin, I love you, but next year you’re coming to the ‘burbs. 🙂 :heart:
I wouldn’t brave Chicago traffic for just anyone.
My good friend Caitlin (that I just had to leave in Virginia) and her kids came to Chicago (they were already in Indianapolis) so we drove down to explore some touristy stuff with them. I hate traffic and congestion so it was a mini nightmare for me… But I did it.
Our first stop was the Museum of Science and Industry…where we spent seven hours (egads, I know). The kids had fun but it was a long day.
At the Toy Maker area, it cost $5 to get your own personalized gravitron—and you could watch as it passed through each station. It was cooler than we thought it would be.
There was a Fault (you can’t see the red light on in the photo) so the human operator had to come in and fix it.
And I was thinking it was just a top but it’s a gyroscope—so much cooler than a top. They had a little station to test it out so we all played with it. Then it was back to the exhibits.
Katie got to create her own fireworks display!
Wind tunnel! Owen wanted no part of it (even though he had to do it at the $2 machine in Virginia at swim lessons).
I should have recorded more of this—the kids had an absolute blast with it:
Ice cream for lunch because why not?!
The kids loved the big tractors SOOO much.
If you stood still, butterflies would land on your shadow.
Then it was finally time to head to the hotel… The drive was a bit precarious with all the traffic and insane bikers…but we all made it in one piece. The hotel was really neat—it was all sports-themed and the rooms were like dorms.
And then after a brief rest, it was off to Navy Pier! The kids really wanted to do the Ferris wheel (like we did at National Harbor).
After we walked around a bit, it was time for dinner—and we wanted to sit down and waste time since we had to wait until the fireworks at 9:30. I figured I deserved this:
The traffic wasn’t actually that bad getting out after the fireworks (thank heavens for small favors) and soon we were back at the hotel, where the kids were all super excited to sleep on the top bunks!!
The kids finally quieted down around 11 and Caitlin and I stayed up chatting until almost 12:30.
First time at the water park!
Our neighbors invited us to the water park and we eagerly accepted. Unfortunately I didn’t have my waterproof camera so missed being able to take pics of the little ones going down the kiddie slide and Owen going down the big water slide! This was the only pic I got of them—the other two were off playing in the grass.
Also unfortunately the day was cut short because of weather. Kind of. There were darkish clouds in the sky…
And apparently Katie has now turned into Maggie and completely freaks out at just the mere thought of dark clouds and potential rain so she was a hot mess crying to go home. I put it off as long as I could but when it actually started to sprinkle ever-so-slightly out was game over.
A few minutes at the mall playground.
The kids had to run an errand with me and the mall playground happened to be right outside the store I was at…so I let Katie play for a few minutes. (If it looks somewhat familiar, it’s because it’s the same parent company as the mall by us in Virginia.)
Returning mail leads to this.
The neighbor kids brought over our mail which then led to our kids going to play at their house. About a half hour later the mom and I had this text exchange:
Stacey: Girls are putting on a concert on the trampoline.
Me: I’ll be over.
I walked in to them jumping in tutus (of course there was an outfit change—there’s always an outfit change). 🙂 So we just sat and talked while all four kids played and rode in the power wheels.
Ahhhhh, neighbors. ❤️
Len Christmas in July, Year 4
Nick and Gracie making Christmas M&Ms (the rest went into Lisa’s monster cookies).
Just a few brats to cook…
All the kids like to fish but they say Aubrey is the one who loves it the most and is the best at it. She apparently gives lessons to other kids at their house!
Katie caught a fish!
Someone took an unplanned jump into the river (learning you can’t walk on lily pads):
Drying off…
I think this picture is a tradition.
And the mandatory annual family Christmas photo! Every year they give us grief about taking it… And this year with the craziness of the move I didn’t post it immediately and they were all asking about it!! So there. :p
And the annual kid comparison—Katie is getting closer to Aubrey but Aubrey is still ahead (which should be the case, as she’s almost 9). And as usual, Owen is definitely taller than Gracie…
But I think he beats Nick this year!!
Last year:
More fishing!
After a campfire and s’mores it was time for bed. The kids decided to all sleep in the living room… Poor Timmy. 🙂
Sparklers!
It’s so nice when he pushes her and we don’t have to.
Katie and Gramma Jean’s Big Birthday Adventure
I told Gramma that for Katie’s birthday, instead of giving her stuff, to take her on an adventure. So she did.
In Gramma’s words:
For Katie’s 5th birthday this year, we went on an adventure! (Yes, in Grayling.) We played at three parks, went wading in the river (along some of the racers practicing), went to the grocery store for picnic lunch supplies [where Katie could pick anything she wanted—she got a Lunchable, strawberry yogurt covered pretzels, strawberries, cashews, and chocolate milk], threw stones in the river for a half hour, went for a 3-mile bike ride (yes, I fell), and had an ice cream cone at Wimpy’s. We were gone 7 hours and mom and dad were starting to worry! What great fun we had! Happy birthday Katie Bug!
Gramma says Katie could have pedaled for hours!
Gramma says: I am so glad Katie didn’t fall. We were too close to each other and her back wheel caught my front wheel.
S’mores and silly string!
Owen likes the rope swing this year!
AuSable River Festival Kids Day
We specifically came up to Grayling Monday night we we could take the kids to the kids fest day since they had so much fun last year! Unfortunately, this year they didn’t have the canoeing with the pro, which is what we had really hoped to do again. 🙁 So this was as close as we got—and Owen refused to stick his head in so I did instead.
Family photo booth!
Technology buddies
Man this is an awesome adventure!
The kids were good on our errands and it was hot out so we surprised them and stopped at the water park by our house to play in the free splash pad. While they were playing Owen said “Man, this is an awesome adventure!!” 🙂 Luckily I had old towels in the car.
My view from the master bedroom.
I love that we can just say “Go play outside!”
Water fun with neighbors!
Julie had promised the kids they could do water balloons and we were running out of time so tonight was finally the night! Of course it took longer to fill up the balloons then it did for the fight, but the kids had a blast.
They wanted to do more balloons but we convinced them that playing in the water wind be more fun!
Playing in the U-Haul
We always get a U-Haul to take up last-minute stuff, things the movers can’t pack, and stuff we need until we get our household goods delivered. And apparently it’s very enticing to little girls… 🙂
The last time at the pool
We were going a bit stir-crazy at the house, so I decided to take the kids to the pool. Little did I know at the time it would be out last day there… 🙁
Of course, Katie made fast friends with some little girl there and they played and played.
Happy 5th birthday, Katie!
The day started by opening a present from papa and Grannie (that has been in our closet for probably two years now)—doll bunk beds. She was over the moon!
Picture with the birthday girl!
Opening her birthday cards—the same card from two people and the zebras matched her outfit! What are the odds?!
The official picture.
One of my last driveway drinks here…
Who knew rain could be so fun?
It started raining harder and I wanted the kids out of the house for a bit, so I suggested they go play in the rain. Katie immediately thought that sounded good but Owen wasn’t convinced. And then I said they could put their suits on…and he got interested. They had a blast.
Playing and helping in the rain.
It was lightly raining and Katie asked if she could put on her rain boots and rain coat and go out and play. Sure thing.
My little LipSense helper (she LOVES running packages out to the mailbox).
Unfortunately she can’t always get the box open so big brother helps, too.
July 4th with the neighbors
Three happy kids tonight doing sparklers and watching the neighbor’s bigger (but still small) fireworks.
And some of the super cool pics I got with my waterproof camera on the Fireworks settings—these were just simple fireworks we did in the street. I was amazed at how cool they looked!
Our last July 4th cookout at the pool
We went to the pool just after it opened at 10am so it would be less crowded (I like less crowded) and it gave me a chance to get some good pictures of the kids.
Tom helped set up and then man the grill for two hours.
This is more what it looks like when it gets crazy…which is the time we leave. I cannot stand the pool to be that busy and loud. 🙂
Early 4th of July festivities
Our local fireworks were tonight, so we had our “F It Friday” group together for a “Suck It Saturday” instead! After some delicious drinks (and refills!) and dinner…
…the kids played in the water while we watched and tried to stay out of the spray zone. One dad (Eric) joined in the fray…
Then it was off on a caravan to the equestrian center (where we watched from last year, too). The kids ran around and played and did sparklers…and eventually watched some of the fireworks. I think Owen sat with me and Katie for about five minutes and then he was off with his friends.
Both kids had fun and were happy and I got to spend another night with our great friends…and that’s just about all I can ask for. (Well, if Tom would have been there it would have been even better!) 🙂
Another afternoon at the pool…
Getting sunscreen on…
When Owen gets the camera…
When mom gets the camera back…
And yes, I actually got in the pool. It was HUMID. And then the sun came out and I got HOT.
Our good friends…
Their toys had gotten sucked in but they were both to scared of the bugs in there to reach in. 🙂
Sitting out during the break (the last 10 minutes of every hour) plotting their next move in the water gun war with the opposing team.
A new hand-me-down suit from our neighbor Maddie.
Cuddling with Daddy
Duplo Ivysaur
We were at a friend’s house and this is what Owen came up with using the Duplo blocks.
