The Strong Museum of Play

We went to the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester on Friday. It was an incredible place. There were so many neat hands on thing for all of the children. Everyone had a really great time. Dani wants to go back for her birthday she had so much fun. This is a really long post, so enjoy. Jeremiah had fun trying out this rock climbing wall. Dani, much like her Mother, could not even get on the wall. Poor thing.

One of those rooms where the children became as tall as Mommy. I am afraid that this picture will be reality in a few years.
Is this a dream or a nightmare???? My children have mutiplied!!!! This was called the Kid Kaleidoscope.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
One my favorite places was the child sized Wegman's that was there. The kids were allowed to go in and shop for five items. Then they became the cashiers and scanned everything and printed out a receipt. Then they became stock boys and put everything away. It was all fake food, but some of the best looking fake food I have ever seen. Jeremiah enjoyed weighing all the meat and DaniRae was intent on finding a pizza to pull out of the brick oven to buy.

And.....AnaGrace goes for her third box of fudge pops. I think she looks a little guilty.
This was Jeremiah's favorite activity. He got to run the camera, the light board and the sound while other children dresse up and put on the show. This happens to be DaniRae dancing, but Jeremiah sat there and did it for anyone who walked up.
This was DaniRae's favorite part. A room that showed what it would have been like if she lived one hundred years ago. She loved this room and could have played here for hours. I was really impressed with how hands out and play oriented this whole museum was.

Queen DaniRae awaits her ride to the royal ball.
There were lots of places to pretend play which was really up Dani's alley.
Watch out, Uncle Joel and Pah-Pah.....I think you have competition. Maybe in a few years.
My three happy, but very tired children at the end of the day. They all fell asleep on the way back to Uncle Joel and Aunt Anna's. AnaGrace barely lasted 1 minute in the van before she was sound asleep. It was great fun though.

Fun in Buffalo

We went to Buffalo this past weekend and had a great time. The weather was beautiful (in fact a little sunny as you can see). We had a great time at a local park. It was cold, but good to get some fresh air. That is the Niagara River behind us ( I think)....it is the same water that goes over the Falls....so the kids weren't allowed any where near the river.....just kidding, kind of.

The simplicity of childhood

The children have been encouraged to read as part of a Book It Club for School. They earn points and rewards and if they reach the goal their teacher set, the earn a personal pizza from Pizza Hut. Anyway, they are to be reading about 15 minutes a day. Well, it was a gorgeous day here today, so I sent Jeremiah outside to read. This is where he decided to read...he found a nice perch about 25 feet up in a tree. I must admit, I think that I am a little jealous. OH, to have the time and freedom (and physical ability) to climb 25 feet into a tree and spend an afternoon reading.

Pumpkin Festival '08

Last weekend we went to the Pumpkin Festival. It was a gorgeous Fall Day...perfect for a Festival. We took the hayride, picked out pumpkins, and, of course, ate apple dumplings with ice cream....yummy. Dan was along, but somehow he manages to avoid being in all the photos. AnaGrace love being on the hayride; in fact she even tried to sneak on one when we weren't looking. Hence the rule, never take your eyes off the toddler.

She was in awe of the pumpkins and tried to pick many up.
We finally settled on this one for her...of course, then she wanted to carry it the rest of the afternoon.
Dani picked one so big, she couldn't carry it...I think that we will install the rule, "You can only pick one that you can carry back to the van."

Much to Miah's disappointment, our goal in the pumpkin patch was not to find the biggest possible pumpkin. He was very happy to settle on this one which was nice and round.

FAIR 2008

Today we had a most wonderful day as a family at the Fair. The kids have off school today and tomorrow and Dan took the day off. We spent about 6 hours at the Fair (we are really crossing our fingers that the kids are so exhausted we can sneak an early bedtime....Here's to hoping). They really had a lot of fun. It was just a great day...the kids were obedient and thankful and unwhinny. It was fun. The first thing they both wanted to do was to ride the ponies. (The poor ponies...I think the kids are beginning to get a little big).



Next we went to the educational building. Jeremiah and DaniRae were so excited to show us what they made in art class at school for the Fair. Dani's was covered in beads and pink and purple. Jeremiah's was very methodical...unlike a lot of the others. He told us that it is a boxing ring with two guys in it practicing "fighting."


Ah, what can I say...Vince's cheesesteaks. That is the real reason to go to the Fair.....The Food. For those of you who couldn't be there, we ate for you....French fries, cheesesteak, Kohr's OJ, soda, saltwater taffy, apple dumplings with cinnamon ice cream, mini doughnuts (twice)....yummy.
While Dan and I were enjoying our cheesesteaks, the kids had a blast playing in the corn bin. Somebody was really thinking when they put this in...surrounded with benches for tired hungry parents.
I just couldn't resist this.....My sweet children looking like snowmen....They are even cuter than ever. Besides, it reminds that snow may come yet this year.

Here is McGruff, the crime fighting dog....Good guy in all, until he scared AnaGrace.

Finally....

SO, it finally happened. Jeremiah lost his first tooth last night during Sunday night church....actually during Communion. He is very happy. I told him that I didn't know if the tooth fairy would come on the Lord's Day (it being the Sabbath and all). But alas, it must have been a work of mercy, because Jeremiah's tooth was exchanged for a treasure this morning ( I am not telling how much in case the blessed tooth fairy is charged with being "Cheap" or too "Generous").

Pics. of precious AnaGrace

I told you all that some pics. of AnaGrace would follow so here they are. She loves her bath, just like her cousin Rachel. They even have the same towel thanks to Grandma (at least I think that it is the same).
Here she is sweet as can be in a dress that her cousin Trinity wore (Thanks Aunt Jean). This dress looked so cool and comfy for such a hot day----will there ever be snow again???? I can only hope.