Trip to the museum

We went to the Museum of Science and Industry with Grandma and Grandpa a couple weeks ago. The kids went wild in this room.

They really went crazy running through these spinning things. Jack's going so fast it looks like his arms are missing!

Faster than a speeding bullet!

Charlotte wanted to climb into the water tank in a bad way. I got a great workout trying to hold her back. Thank goodness the museum had raincoats for the kids!

Wet hair made for a funky hairdo!

Jack was fascinated with all the gadgets.

Charlotte had fun in the little kids's area. 

Peek!

Jack in the giant tractor wheel!

Both kids thought these lights were so great, they decided to plop down right in the middle of the floor.

This screen was pretty cool. People of all ages were having a lot of fun with it. The colored bubbles run down the screen and detect where someone is standing and run around them.

Grandma demontrating that it was also good for shadow bunnies.

Tired baby.

I was surprised that Charlotte didn't really seem to like the funny mirrors. See her staring at her reflection very suspiciously.

What happened to my head??

Jack the circus clown.

Jack and Charlotte

Checking out the perpetual motion machine on the way out (actually, I think it was technically a pinball machine). Jack didn't like some of the noises it was making.

First day of school

Wow, what a difference a year makes. Compare the picture above of Jack this morning to last year's first day of school below. He's definitely looking too grown up for my taste.

Jack started his 2nd year of preschool this morning, and he was pretty excited about it. The calendar in the first picture was sent to him by his teachers, along with stickers to put on every day until school started. Today he got to put an apple on the first day of school.

In typical Jack form, this was our conversation when I picked him up from school:

Jack: "I had a great time at school, Mommy!"

Me: "Wow, that's great! What did you do in school today?

Jack: "I don't know."

Millenium Park

Sarah took the kids to Millenium Park a couple weeks ago. It was a perfect day for splashing in the water!

Charlotte and another little girl checking out their reflections (I think).

Mr. Cool

Cutie-pie

William and baby Sophia came along too. With Charlotte's passion for food, it's no surprise she was fascinated by Sophia learning to eat. Here she is "helping" with some blueberries. Sarah said for the most part Charlotte was very good, but she did try to shove the blueberries in Sophia's mouth a couple times.

Of course no trip to Millenium Park would be complete without visiting the Bean (aka Cloud Gate). Sarah got some great pictures of the kids!

I think William was trying to lift Charlotte up.

Big jump!

 

Cute pic of Sarah and Jack

Weekend with the Words and Pedersens

A couple weeks ago, the Pedersens and Words came to the lake house. The kids had a blast and spent hours playing in the sand, water, and riding on the boat (except Charlotte, who is still very anti-boat). The cute picture above was taken Saturday morning, before the Words arrived. Jack and Charlotte are laying with Hannah (3) and Katie (2).

Jack hanging out with Eric and Katie in the water. Jack has become a regular little fish this summer and swims pretty well when wearing his puddlejumper.

The kids fascinated by some electronic device.

All the kids except Charlotte on the boat. Aubrey is now 6 (I think?) and Leah is 3.

The kids enjoying a meal together.

Eric playing with Charlotte

So cute! Everyone gathered for a bedtime story--even Lou.

Charlotte and Katie pestering Jack while he was playing with Aubrey's game.

A tea party on the porch. (The cups are actually bubble makers.)

Everyone hanging out on the beach.

Best dog in the world

Fun times in Georgia

We've finally come to the end of the Georgia pictures.

Charlotte had a blast hanging out at the pool, which is the best thing to do anyway in Georgia in July!

All that swimming made her hungry--double fisting the food!

Cutie in the rocking chair!

On our last day in Georgia, we went to visit my friend Susan and her boys. They've grown up so much! The last time I saw Jake, he was 1 (now 4 yrs), and Nick was just a newborn (now 2 yrs). The boys are both super cute and tall, like their parents :)  And congrats to Susan and Scott who have baby #3 on the way, due in December!  Here's Charlotte with Jake and Nick.

We went to Monkey Joe's, a big indoor bounce-house place. Charlotte was in hog heaven, as were Susan's boys. Unfortunately we realized that chasing around after 3 kids in the bounce-house craziness did not allow much time for grown-up talking. Lessons learned for next time...

All the kids loved this little fire engine. At least this was 1 toy that would keep them occupied, and together in a small space, at the same time.

The kids in 1 of the bounce houses. I was asked at least 3 times by other parents in disbelief: "How old is she?" Charlotte never ceases to amaze people with her take-charge, no-fear attitude. She was not in the least bit afraid to jump around with the big kids and go on any size bounce house.

Case in point: this huge climbing wall and slide. One of the workers helped Charlotte up.

Peeking over the top

Whee!!!

Cute pic of Charlotte and Susan.

This would have been a cuter picture of the 2 of us if Charlotte hadn't been preoccupied with pulling up the ribbon on her dress and chewing on it.

And one final picture, taken back and Grandmomma and Granddaddy's house. Charlotte found this big calculator and decided it made a good phone. Here she is, "phone" propped up like a pro on her shoulder, while she is conducting some business.

We were so glad to get the chance to visit family and friends in Georgia, even though it was a short trip. We look forward to spending some more time, and to have Jack also with us, at Christmas!