Children's Museum & Weekend Fun

A children's museum/discovery lab recently opened in Tulsa and we took the kids last Sunday.  They both had so.much.fun.  There is an area for little ones that was perfect for Ben.  Everything was on his level and there were tons of blocks, balls, mirrors, and things to crawl over, under, and through.

Right now there is a Cartoon Network area where kids can learn about animation, drawing, etc.


 
There is a huge tunnel/slide made of tape and various other exhibits.  There's also an art room that features a daily theme.  They supply everything to make a craft that the kids can take home.  That day's theme was 3d.  Avery and Dad made a sunflower.

Avery has already asked when we can go back.

A few more pics from that weekend:

Videos

I try to get videos here and there of the kids, but often times by the time I get the phone and switch the camera to video, they've stopped doing or saying what they had been.

There was a lot more to this, but I just caught the latter part.  

Anything you ever wanted to know about My Little Pony:

And after dance class on Monday, she had a new move:

Sunday morning, Avery locked Ben out of the office.  Totally justified.  He wrecks everything in there, throws fistfuls of crayons and markers with zeal, and rips in half anything she's coloring right out from under her.  But he wasn't happy about it.

Tiny Walker

I went out of town for 1.5 days over last weekend and I came home and Ben was walking.  And talking.

Seriously.

He's been taking 3-4 steps here and there for a while but he is suddenly walking everywhere.

And he is saying several new words, including airplane.  He also pointed to a picture of an airplane in a book and one when we were outside and said the word.

My little smarty.

It's still kind of odd, but cute, to see him teetering around.

Sweet little guy is getting bigger!

Rite of Passage

I went out of town this weekend for a quick girls weekend at the lake.

On Saturday I got a text from Rob.

Avery gave haircuts to the ponies and herself!  

with accompanying photos:

My mind processed Avery gave haircuts to the ponies (My Little Ponies of course).

I don't understand what I thought I saw.  My mind only saw pony hair.

Haha I replied.

Rob thought I was taking it well.

Imagine my surprise when I walked in Sunday morning.

"Mom, I made a mistake."

Avery: do you like my hair?

Me: well...I liked the way it was before.

Avery: why are you crying?

Me:  I'm just...surprised.   I think we're going to need to go see Papa today.

I know.  It's just hair.  I know it'll grow back.  I know.  But...it's just, our kids are somewhat follicularly challenged.  Their hair doesn't exactly grow like weeds.  This could take a while.  And if it was just the back, it wouldn't have been bad.  But the front?  Not gonna lie, it's not awesome.

Rob said she was pretty upset on Saturday.  She thought everyone was going to be mad at her.  No one beat her up about it-she beat herself up enough.  Although she understood when Dad took her scissors away (she had a pair of safety scissors at her coloring table that she had been instructed to only use on paper).

He says I can have them back when I'm 5 or 6.  That's a long time away...maybe when I'm 5?

Papa evened it up.

Much better.

Headbands are our friend.

Monday morning we went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and fix (ha) her hair, like usual.  She gave herself a funny look in the mirror.

I look crazy, she said.  I don't look pretty anymore.

No.  You are beautiful.  It doesn't matter what your hair looks like.  You are pretty on the inside and the outside.

No pony tail came out unscathed.

I'm kind of glad I was out of town on Saturday.  Who knows what may have happened to me.

Sigh.

It'll grow.  In the meantime.  Headbands.

Dance Class

Avery started ballet/tap class last week.  Given the choice between participating in dance, gymnastics, and soccer she chose dance.

She was excited.  Not gonna lie-I was excited.  I mean, how precious is she in her little leo and tights?

She went into class and introduced herself like a big girl. Parents have to leave the studio and can watch the class from the lobby.  She stayed and participated in class without any problems. 

 

After class she told me that her eyes watered and that she wanted me, and could I see that on the tv? Ha.  

She requested a cherry limeade and tots so of course...

Labor Day 2013

We had a pretty awesome Labor Day weekend.  Mimi had requested to keep the kiddos so Rob and I had a nice, relaxing day on Saturday.  We went shopping, to lunch, and then to Gigi & Pepaw's to hang out in the pool and watch the first OU game.  Lynn and baby Will came over for Will's 1st OU game ever!

I think the kids had a great time too, as evidenced by the pictures Mimi sent me.  Ben came home with three new words: outside, Mimi, & Papa.

Sunday morning we collected Ben and Avery stayed for a while longer to go to a movie.  That afternoon we headed to Gigi & Pepaw's for a shrimp boil and more pool time.

The life

"You are a tree, and I am a koala bear."

Football!

Avery was a big helper with the shrimp boil.

She and Pepaw did a great job.

Ben approved.

On Monday Gigi & Pepaw watched the kids for a few hours while Rob and I went to the lake with some friends.   I think a good weekend was had by all.  I just wish they were all three days long!

14 Months

Big Ben is 14 months old today.

14.

A toddler by definition, but still a baby to me.  He doesn't talk much, and he doesn't walk much either, so I'm calling him a baby for a bit longer at least:)

Ben.  Busy busy busy.  Doesn't sit still for a minute.  Always on the move and into something.

Walking: eh.  Ish.  He can walk.  He'll walk halfway across a room, then drop down and scoot.  I think he's just not confident on his feet yet.  Surprisingly, he drops down when he feels unsteady instead of going full steam ahead.  He can stand alone, stand up without pulling up on anything, climb, etc.  He's definitely a mobile guy.

Talking: he has quite a few words but he doesn't necessarily use them consistently. They come and go.  He'll say one for a while, then not use it anymore.  Words in his hat include:
mama
dog
arthur
uh oh
avery
thank you

He loves to play peek-a-boo.  Loves to bounce.  Loves to dance.  Good sleeper.  A lot less shy than his sister was at this age.  He will usually go to anyone, especially if they bribe him with food).  Speaking of:

Eating: he loves food.  I think he is cutting more molars and this week has been very unusual in that he hasn't eaten as much.  Normally, he is a very hearty and not too picky eater.

He is our sweet, fun-loving, rambunctious, busy little guy.