First Trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum

This was our first trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  I think it is the largest in the world.

The sculpture by Dale Chihuly is amazing! The kids loved it.

Ceiling

Our favorite exhibit was the DINO's 

Zoey felt like she was Montana's Bad Lands on a dig. (Secretly, I was dying to jump in and dig too. 

 I used to dream of becoming Ellie Satler, Paleontologist)  

Waiting for the little dino eggs to hatch

Creating a work of art of their own.         Zealand loved the TRAINS! CHOO CHOO! 

This is for Daddy! 

The Barbie Exhibit was so much fun!  A little too pink for Zealand, but he humored us girls. 

The receptionist                                                                Zoey and the original Barbie Box 

I think I used to have this pool when I was little!           Zoey has that Barbie and dog!  :)

This was my favorite Barbie set.  I got it for my 5th or 6th birthday. BARBIE AND THE ROCKERS!   I drove my brothers crazy singing " Barbie and the Rockers, Barbie and the Rockers" over and over.

This Barbie sign is made of hundreds of Barbies.    Then we headed to a place for Zealand! 

Bob the Builder!  Can we fix it? YES WE CAN! 

Zealand's favorite drinking cup is Bob the Builder.  He was quite shocked to see Bob so big!

Zealand driving Scoop

Zoey at Wendy's cute trailer

Making a rug on a loom in Egypt. 

The kids and I had a really nice time.  It was a great field trip when it has been so snowy. We are excited to take Ty with us, if he ever can sneak away from his studies :) - Zara

Molded Crayons

Today, our home-preschool letter of the day was the letter M.  We played Musical instruments, drew with Magic Markers, and made Molded Melted Crayons.  I saw this in a Family Fun magazine and you can get the exact directions at www.familyfun.com.  I thought I would share how we did it.  It is a fun activity when you are stuck inside.  Plus, it uses up all those old broken crayons.

Supplies: A heart shaped mold, I got this one at the $1 section at Target. (metal pan might be better)

Old used Crayons- I used a razor blade to cut off the wrappers and let Zoey unwrap them.

The kids love to get to break the crayons into little bits.

 (you may want to explain this is only alright with old crayons and mom is watching)

Let the kids fill each mold with different color combinations.  

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Place mold on a baking sheet.

Bake for 12-20 mins. Remove when all are melted. 

Wait until they cool COMPLETELY and remove from mold.

They are a bit messier than regular crayons, but super fun to color with.  You never know what you are going to get until you try them on paper.  

A Good Day

   
Our weekly "field trips" to the Indianapolis Museum of Art may just save my sanity this winter. Picasso Monet, and Gauguin bring color to a very dreary winter :) Plus, unlike most of the Indianapolis sidewalks, the IMA actually shovels the walks in the garden. It's nice to get a little old fashion Vitamin D on your face!
   After, nap time the kids and I went grocery shopping.  It was actually an experiment.  I have been reading about the "Coupon Mom" and her ideas on saving money.  I tried some of her suggestions and shaved $65.00 off the grocery bill.  I was shocked!  Ty always called people "coupon whores" when they would come in Rite Aid with piles of coupons.  So... I sheepishly, told him I was gonna give it a try.  I told the cashier at the store my husband would be so embarrassed.  She laughed and said, " You just show him this receipt honey, and he won't mind."  :)


I made Ty and Zoey's favorite "PYTHONS" (aka homemade chicken noodle soup) for dinner.  I used the leftover turkey from the other night and you couldn't even tell.  I tried to use up all the veggies in the crisper and it turned out super yummy!


Then, I got to go to Enrichment Night at the church.  This is the first "me" time I have had in about a month.  It was really fun to be with friends.  The lessons were all centered on Women's Health.  Exercise ideas, healthy food reminders, health checks, and a yummy chocolate/food tasting.   Plus, we are having a "Biggest WInner" contest.  It was good motivation and nice to have some grown up conversation.
My sweet husband, had both kids bathed and asleep. THANK YOU TYRONE! 


We are going to watch "Couples Retreat" now.  We are sort of addicted. (we have watched it like 3 times in a week.)  I think we just relate so much to some parts, and the scenery is gorgeous.
-Zara    

February Fun

I let Zealand mix with the Pampered Chef 2 qt pitcher.  When I turned my head he poured almost 2 qts of OJ all over his tray!  Ah OH!  

We went to the zoo with Zoe's friends!  

Zoey, Jeremy, Mallory, and Olivia!                    Best Buddies!

I made the mistake of buying COLT blue cupcakes for the Super Bowl... but the kids enjoyed them.

Old Blue Eyes loves a good "blank" and "bink"

Zoey loves to draw on dad's laptop.  Z-Z loves to watch and be with his sister. 

It snow about 8 inches last Saturday.  The kids were thrilled.

Ty is a snow shoveling machine.  He was thrilled it wasn't 8 feet like at home in Utah. 

Zoey tried and tried to make a snowman with all that powder!

They do not plow side streets in Indy.  Which shuts everything down if there is a storm.  

He really wanted to ride the bike in the snow.

I haven't been able to find snow boots anywhere for Zealand... thus the plastic bags over his shoes.

Zoey got to go to a Princess Party.  She wanted to go as Snow White.

Zoey had a blast.  Zealand plugged his ears.  He was not too thrilled with all the frilliness. 

The Royal Ball

The other morning I thought Zoey was sound asleep, but she was creating this EPIC BATTLE.

It was dinos vs Peter Pan, Schleich Animals, and various Princesses (and their clothing)