Indianapolis Children's Museum

We had a great trip to Indianapolis last weekend!  Chris had to work in Indy for almost two weeks so we thought a road trip would be fun; it was quick, but packed with excitement.  We visited the Indianapolis Children's Museum and even spent time with a couple of my college girlfriends.  The kids were stoked to stay in a hotel and I was on a mission to NOT let them sleep with me.  When we stayed at a hotel a couple weeks ago, both kids basically slept on top of me while Chris rested peacefully in a queen bed all by his lonesome.  Not cool.  So this time around, we hyped up the pull-out bed, aka the "secret bed" as Hudson called it.  He was mesmerized.  He just couldn't believe a bed was hidden under those cushions.  Now mind you, he has seen and even slept on numerous "secret beds," but for some reason this one was different.  But it worked and this is how they slept all night long...

When we got to Indy Saturday afternoon, my girlfriend Lauren was kind enough to host dinner and have us over for a play date.  Hudson and Adley got to hang with Walter, who just turned three.  The kids had fun and played while the adults ate yummy Mexican food and caught up on life.  Perfect way to end the evening!

On Sunday, we woke up and my other college bestie Lindsay was sweet enough to come to the hotel and hang out with my crazy crew before we headed to the museum.  Perfect way to start the morning!  And then we headed downtown.

The kids were stoked again.  Adley surprisingly wanted to see the dinosaurs.  There are two huge dinosaurs at the entrance that are "entering" the museum through the ceiling.  She kept pointing to the smaller dinosaur and saying; "Baby dinosaur going to fall!  Be careful baby!"  Thought that was cute.  I think Adley is FINALLY growing out of the I'm-scared-of-everything phase.  Hudson was hyped about all the exhibits and wanted to go everywhere.  The large Transformer at the entrance was definitely a hit.

We all got to go down the Chocolate Slide multiple times!

Digging for dinosaur bones.

 Adley has always been deathly afraid of the carousel at Kings Island, but she was brave enough to ride this one...as long as the horse didn't move up and down.  I still consider this a WIN for her overcoming her fears!

Circus time...

Sports Legend Experience

This exhibit is brand new to the Children's Museum and JUST opened the weekend we were there.  It is AMAZING!  There is an indoor "experience" that allows you to learn all the history of sports.  And the outdoor area has twelve "sports experiences."  My boys were in heaven.  Hudson played basketball, football, soccer, tennis and hockey.  There were referees and coaches to facilitate each sport.  Even Adley had pint-size versions of some sports.  And it was warm and sunny, so we timed this trip perfectly.

We're packing up and headed to Pensacola next week!  We will even have enough time to stop and have lunch with my parents in Louisville.  Yes, we are driving to Florida.  Yes, I might be crazy.  I'm slightly nervous I may strangle and destroy my husband after listening to all the podcasts he has downloaded.  Hopefully, visiting family and having warm weather will trump the long car ride and make it all well worth it.  Hope everyone has a great weekend and Spring Break!

Spirit Week, Restaurants and Boxer Briefs

We completed another Dr. Seuss Spirit Week at school and the kids had a blast!  Adley is finally big enough to participate in events because she WANTS to, not because we force her to do so.  Day #1 was matching/twins day and I originally had Hudson matched up with his buddies.  Since we are in full swing with indoor soccer, they were going to wear their yellow jerseys.  But then Hudson realized Adley didn't have a twin and felt bad for his baby sis.  He convinced his buddy to wear their purple jerseys from last year for two reasons - so Adley could match them and because purple is her favorite color.  How adorable is that?!?!  And thankfully, the entire crew of cousins and friends were on a purple team last year, so I could snag a jersey for my princess.  And she was stoked!

My kids have a squad now, all thanks to a bunch of us mamas getting together on the weekends (both with and without children).  There were eight little Things running around daycare one day.  I waited till last minute and Hudson didn't have a red shirt, so yes, he is wearing a polo sweater with a Thing 6 pressed on it. 

Below looks like a Wacky Wednesday due to a slight homelessness hue about them, but it was actually Hat Day.  Adley has cheese in her mouth if you're wondering what that is. 

 And I just thought these pics were precious of two little cousins who love each other.  They stayed the night at Lolly's last weekend and Lolly had given them matching pjs - shirt, pants and coordinating basketball shorts to go on top.  I pray that their friendship and bond lasts forever.

Hudson continues to love soccer.  He scored 6 goals at his game today!  And they were legit goals, not like the ones that just roll into the net on accident.  He also got a haircut, which he adores.  He kept saying "make it shorter, make it shorter!"  When it was long, he would have to style it, so now he can be gel-free for few weeks.

I took the kids to Steak n Shake for what I conceive to be their first time ever; the only other time would be if Lolly took them.  But by their excitement, I want to say it was the first.  There were paper hats!  There were large cups of milk!  There was a hot dog cut in half with "skinny fries"...you would have thought they had never experienced a public restaurant before.  And of course we ended with a bang = a milkshake!  Adley kept getting a brain freeze and didn't know how to make it stop.  I obviously declined to tell her not to eat the ice cream so fast.  I was having too much fun watching her attempt to overcome a frozen skull.  

After lunch, we headed to the park.  Adley got another pair of glasses-with-lashes.  She thinks she is hot stuff!

And the below pics might be my most favorite pictures of Hudson to date.  The story starts when I was unpacking a bag of "donations" from cousin Claire last week.  It was all girl stuff for Adley, but amidst the pink and glitter clothes, there was a lonely pair of boy boxer briefs.  Not really thinking that it may have been an accident, I quickly showed Hudson his new underwear.  Now he could be a big kid like Anderson!  Oh how did this child immediately strip down, minus the socks of course, and strut around in his new britches.  He would strike a pose, spin (don't call it a "twirl," only girls twirl) and even blow ya a kiss  I could not stop laughing.  Only later that evening did I find out that those undies weren't supposed to be a hand-me-down.  But I quickly informed Shannon that Anderson will NOT be getting this pair back.  No way my kid is giving those tighty whities back!

Chris is working in Indianapolis all next week, so I'm thinking about taking the kids up on the weekend to visit the Children's Museum.  And then we have Spring Break approaching, where we'll be headed to Pensacola to visit the Hoffmans, Alams, Kemps and our favorite DeeDee!  Definitely  ready for some sun and sand!

Sports, Sports and Weekend Travels!

Winter has been keeping us busy with indoor sports and any and all activities that can expend the energy of little people.  Hudson (and his buddy Caleb) completed basketball season.  They did much better than I originally anticipated.  By the end of the season, Hudson could dribble and pass like a big kid.  He continues to practice basketball and football during any free moment at home, and has only broken one picture frame...so far.

And as soon as one sport ends, I sign him up for another one.  Indoor soccer this time.  The boys had their first game and Hudson scored two goals!

I will briefly mention Super Bowl, as it was a sad sad day for both my boys.  Adley made it to half time and Hudson stayed up for the entire game.  I think Chris may have shed a tear, but I cannot confirm that.  The week leading up to the game, I asked Hudson if he wanted to wear his jersey to school to support Tom Brady.  He politely declined. 

The back story: Hudson has been banned (per his teacher) of wearing football jerseys to school.  He will tackle, strong-arm and all but demolish his classmates as he "plays football."  Mrs. Ophelia has reassured me that his actions are not spiteful; he just does not know his own strength and he lovessssss football.  She was going to give Hudson a pass this time, since Tom Brady was in the Super Bowl again.  But this was Hud's response when I confronted him:

 "Mama, I just can't do it.  I can't NOT be a football player when I'm wearing my jersey. I just love Tom Brady too much."  

We chuckled.  And his love for his quarterback is still slightly odd, but at least he can tell his future therapist that his father brainwashed him.  But I was so proud of his honesty and his ability to acknowledge his shortcomings.  

  

Last weekend, we had a mini getaway in downtown Cincinnati, which the kids loved.  We stayed "way up in the sky," according to Hudson and we were in the "big city."

Adley loves to play the matching game, currently the Minion edition.  Her technique to winning the game is amazing, and it was completely unprovoked by Chris or myself.  She will first flip all the cards face up, match them accordingly side-by-side, then flip them back face down.  She will tell you it's time to play, then proceed to flip the cards and "match" them all.  Ha!  I thought that was the most clever move yet.  

That evening we went to Newport on the Levee and had dinner and played video games.  Even Adley had fun with all the bright lights, loud games and chaos. 

 The next morning, everyone woke up early.  I cannot mentally handle my children when they are confined to small spaces with loads of energy.  I get anxiety they are going to break something or wake up other guests.  Chris can sleep through a tornado.  So 6am came and I took Hudson to the gym at the hotel.  He walked on the treadmill, learned how to do crunches on the medicine ball and didn't injure himself or the equipment, thus is was a successful morning.

 

Then we headed to the Newport Aquarium.  Fun for all!

 There was a new stingray exhibit where you can crawl through a tunnel under the water, then pop up in the middle of the water.  Clearly Adley thought that was amazing....

We had TWO days of warm weather last week!!  It was glorious.  All the family met up after work at the park.  Adley is now big enough to climb up all the stairs and obstacles.  She is no longer my baby that needs a helping hand.  She is Miss Independent and she knows it.  She has also been doing amazing with her big girl bed and still hasn't learned that she can actually get out of her bed.  She also moved up classes at school and has already been potty-trained by Ms. Carly.  Granted, she chooses to be potty-trained from 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday only, but that's a start.  When I ask her to sit on the potty at home, her response is "no thank you."  At least she is polite about ignoring my requests, right?!

Until next time!