Finally a lost tooth!

This little boy has been waiting and waiting and wiggling and wiggling for so long... and FINALLY... he's lost his first tooth!  He's the last one in second grade to lose a tooth.  Most of his friends lost teeth in 1st grade or even Kindergarten but not Ethan, he's held onto his for almost 8 years (just 3 weeks shy).  Finally the tooth fairy is coming to visit us!

When the Cousins Join the fun

Taylor had to head back to work but luckily he was replaced by 2 really fun cousins and an aunt.

Jilly came upstairs and was taking off her shoes when Isla quite literally attacked her.  She was ALL over her.  And poor Jilly who is a year older than Isla wasn't exactly sure what to do with all the adoring attention.  

Maybe Isla has learned this over-attention from someone.  Hmmm?

And since 6 little kids in 1 little townhouse are a recipe for trouble, we headed off to the booming metropolis of Mill-e-wauk-ay to check out a museum.  Those glass panels on the floor are actually a fish tank under your feet.  I had to move my boys along quickly because they were trying to break the glass to get to the fish.  Kristina's kids are much better behaved.

The fish tunnel was a lot of fun too.

None of the kids would actually touch anything in the water but they sure did want to be picked up to look at the fish.  Isla was all about sticking her hands in the water though.  She's quite enthusiastic about baths and this looked like the perfect giant bath for her.

Of course then everyone had to have a turn splashing.

We went to Milwaukee's science museum mostly because our Salt Lake City children's museums passes got us in free.  We were thrilled with the aquarium and even though the rest of the exhibits were mostly above the kids heads, they found a way to make them all fun.  Who really needs to learn the science behind something- lets just play with it!

The next day was another cold, windy Chicago day and since we'd done enough museums already that week, we opted to crash the unused church gym for the morning.  A quick stop at walmart for balls and snacks and then it was party time.

Sadly my children have no idea who Bozo the clown it, but they enjoyed playing this game.

And our last day since the weather was nicer we went to the best park around.  The boys spent hours climbing up the rock wall and going down the slide in every way they could think of.

Isla got to watch from behind the safety fence.  She's cute in her grandma hat though.  And warm.

But watching was only fun for so long and I gave in and let her crawl around on the very empty handicapped playground.  She got filthy but she was in heaven.

Backwards and on your back?

Then all the boys joined Isla.

And then since Grandma Tina is so much fun, she brought along ping pong ball guns and chased the boys around.

I mean serious chased them around.

It was hilarious.  She had the biggest smile on her face and laughed the whole time.  The kids did too.  They love being chased around.

One last trip around the house with grandpa to check everything out and then we had to say goodbye.  It was a long and short trip and so much fun.  We miss grandma and grandpa already and wish they lived closer.

Museum Monday

Taylor's last day with us was Monday and since the temperatures outside were a bit too nippy, we opted for the local Children's museum.

Isla was fascinated by the baby chicks and kept trying to touch them.

The boys didn't even give the chicks a second look before they were off and running to the next room where there were cars to race.

And machines to play with and control.

There were fun video phones throughout the museum that you could talk to and see other people on.  Miles was hilarious whenever we'd get on another phone and he would see us appear on the TV.  Magic!

The water cannons of course were a favorite.

And Isla got out of her stroller for a break and got to hold (read: chew on) little toys (that had been sanitized first).

Isaac and Miles had been practicing throwing beanbag frogs into a bucket Grandma Tina was holding and when she said "kiss the frog for mom's picture" this is what happened.  Isaac got it, Miles... has an interesting opinion of kissing apparently.

The boys could have spent all day in the restaurant section taking Taylor's order, making him sandwiches and then delivering them.

We found a little "babies-only" area and Isla got to crawl around and play.

It had the cutest ballet bar and mirror and she's at the perfect age for pulling up and walking on pointy toes.  So cute.

Taylor was just as enthralled with the restaurant as the boys were :)  Poor guy, things were blowing up at work but he came along anyways and was a good sport at least whenever the kids wanted his attention.

And if the restaurant wasn't enough foody-fun, then we headed to the grocery store.

To shop...

And order pastries...

And check out at the register.

Finally at the very end we found a section with blocks.  Taylor is a block-building addict and maybe it's good we didn't find blocks until the end because he sure gets into a zone when he's there.  The boys don't mind, they like building alongside him, and grandma Tina.

Just Hanging

We always like visiting my parents for a vacation because it truly can be a relaxing week.  Sure we go do things but it's pretty easy to spend time at home relaxing too.

Playing ipads (or watching over Dad's shoulder) is always fun.

And knowing it was Easter weekend I printed off Easter bingo and we played it a lot- at least until all the jelly bean markers mysteriously disappeared.

And the boys enjoyed waking up early and getting to watch cartoons in Grandma Tina's bed while the padres slept in a bit.

And since just one egg hunt wasn't enough, they hid them over and over again.