Ok, so there are a ton of pictures here, so I'm going to let them tell the story of what we did on Wednesday and Thursday due to unplanned rainy weather...
We've had such a lovely summer that I've really gotten out of the habit of checking the weather in the mornings. Wednesday morning it was cloudy and so it prompted me to look into it and there was quite a large green ("rain") area approaching us on the map. Since we had no plans with friends, I decided to take the boys to the Children's Museum for the morning. One of the best decisions I've made all week. It was probably one of our best visits ever!
Koen has been loving umbrella duty lately. Here he is dancing in the rain on our way into the museum.
Outside the museum they are working on building a community park. The boys wanted to watch the construction trucks, so the museum trip was fun before we even got into the museum.
Tavin was more involved than he has ever been at the museum. He never even rode in the stroller during our time there. He loved getting to sit in the Smart Car in the Garage room.
Koen took advantage of more than just the car and he also flew the airplane and set off some parachutes.
Here's the little mechanic in training. This picture is for Grampa.
There was a new exhibit that we hadn't been to before, a Dora The Explorer Pirate Adventure. Koen loved it. He had a hook, a hat and a sword at one point.
We headed up to the "nursery" floor and they had completely renovated it. They did a great job and it was fun to explore the better organized layout and the few new things to play with. Tavin liked having a train table all to himself. Although he didn't quite get how to keep them on track.
Koen mastered the other table and had quite a story going on.
Since Tavin was frustrated with the trains we headed over to the birdseed box. He loved shoveling in there. Look at the concentration!
And then Koen was still working on the trains, talk about concentration!
Koen and Tavin both enjoyed drawing in the lit-up sand boxes. Koen did quite well sharing an area with his brother.
Koen took Tavin for a ride on the see-saw to make bubbles. "Bubbles" is one of Tavin's favorite words right now, so he was excited when they started gurgling up due to the see-saw pumping.
Finally, we headed up to the 3rd floor for some water play. Tavin has never taken part in this before and he absolutely loved it. He was so proud of himself to get to wear a coat and crocs just like brother for starters.
Tavin is quite independent, but he did join Koen for a few activities. Koen is concentrating on getting a sailboat to go down into the channel. Tavin is focused on using a little bucket to dump water on the floor despite my constant reminders to "keep it in the pool."
Koen is quite the thinker and engineer. He loves this pulley system. I know I've posted similar museum pictures on the blog, but I just can't get over how cute he looks in a hooded raincoat.
Tavin was into watching his brother manuever the bucket up and down. He's still got that bucket though. Big surprise that the whole front of his outfit was soaked. It's a good thing it's summer!
On our way out of the museum, they were decorating the unsightly construction fencing with plastic pinwheels. Koen got to put one on there. He was very proud to be a part of the project.
So, that was our big activity on Wednesday morning. I love being members at museums as you can go for a few hours and feel satisfied without feeling like you wasted money and should've stayed the whole day or something. The boys loved doing something different and so hands-on. It was a great morning together.
On Thursday in the early AM hours we had big thunderstorms. The rain was supposed to have passed by the time we were to go to playgroup, so that was our original plan. After a rough disciplinary morning with Koen (I seriously think I'm talking to a wall sometimes!), we were finally ready to head out in the stroller to Osceola to meet whomever else was braving the foreboding looking clouds, it started to rain. So, the outdoor plan was out of the question. I had to get the boys out of the house though due to Koen's intensity (I just think the boy needs to get back into the school routine and be in an engaging atmosphere outside the house a few times a week and we'll see an improvement...he just bounces off the walls and doesn't listen sometimes at home...you take him out and he's practically angelic!). Since I already had a snacky lunch packed, we jumped in the car and headed to the library in Oakland and I texted Doug to see if we could stop by the church for lunch with him. Success!
Here's Koen pretending to be very busy on the computer. He's been way more into smiling for the camera. I love it. Look how precious his face is! It's a good thing the Lord made him so cute, it really helps me give him grace and understanding some days, you can't look at that sweet face and get too mad (well, I can, but it's tough).
Tavin was very busy moving small chairs around. Not for any particular purpose, just to be busy I guess.
We only had enough quarters to stay at the library for about 20 minutes (and actually that was all we needed to read a few books and play a little, I have discovered that the East Liberty one is a lot more fun for my boys). So we headed over to see Doug (and of course now the sun is shining...classic!). Oh well, we had a fabulous time in the basement of the church hidden from whatever was happening with the weather, rain or shine.
First we had our little picnic in the sitting area outside Doug's office. Koen was so happy to be with Daddy.
Tavin was also quite proud to be eating at church with his Dad. The boys love Douglas so much. So precious!
After lunch, Doug went back to work and I took the boys into the Kidz Church space and we played for an hour or so. Tavin was so excited to have the run of the place. He remembered that we had Sprouts of Faith there and was asking for music. Doug put some on for us and I gave Tavin some maracas. He was thrilled!
Koen found the armor they've been using in Kidz Church for the "Armor of God" theme they are doing. And of course since Koen put it on, Tavin had to as well.
In this picture Tavin seems to be saying, "has anyone seen my helmet?"
Koen played several games, did some puzzles and played with toys and Tavin basically buzzed around beside him or behind him. He is like Koen's little shadow. It's so precious. Koen did really well sharing with Tavin too which was nice to see.
Well, that sums up the super fun parts of Wednesday and Thursday. It's been one of those weeks where it's just been me and the boys a lot. We've had some rough moments at home, but it's been a blast when we are out and about. So, I'm almost caught up on the blog now. Just today to go. Stay tuned...
I was a little nervous he would be bummed by the size or the fact it barely moves, but he was thrilled that he got to see a real dragon, so I was relieved!
The new leopard exhibit is great! He was right up at the glass. Tavin loved checking him out!
Koen found a statue of the leopard and spent more time with that than the real thing...go figure. He and Miles are such little buddies. Poor Miles. Koen was a little intense at the beginning of the zoo trip. (When I say "a little intense" that really translates to completely frustrating to the point of tears when he wasn't looking. Let's just say I am now one of those mothers that people look over their shoulder at and wonder what must be wrong that their kid is screaming and out of control). Thankfully he evened out after lunchtime.
Here's a picture of all 4 hot, hungry kids at a snack break at the end of the trip. Post Koen's melt-down they really all did a great job together. I love that my kids have little friends like this to do life with. Deborah, I'm so thankful for you to do motherhood with as well!
Tavin did a lot of walking and pushing the wagon, so he was quite exhausted towards the end of our time there. Here are he and Claire catching a break in the wagon.
All in all, it was a great trip to the zoo. A warm, sunny day outside with my boys is always a good thing and spending that with friends is even better.
Tavin was a cranky pants as evidenced by this smug shot.
So, while we finished the wait for the food, Doug took him outside for a walk on the sidewalk. He was enamored with the new bus stop at the corner and spent most of their little time climbing up and down off the bench.
