Vacation Highlights

Friday we went to the Crayola Museum. What a blast! It was great. I read most people spend 2-3 hours. We could have spent 2 days and still had fun. There are so many crafts and neat things to do. We watched a demo on how they make crayons. Zach got to be an inspector. I got the right answer to the question about what was the first color named by a child. I'll give you a hint and see if you can get it too. The man said he is convinced she was eating lunch because she didn't say orange she said...? I've actually seen the color in a box and that's how I knew. I didn't think he'd make me come up to the front or I wouldn't have answered. He did and a won a prize...crayons, a couple markers and some model magic. I was oddly proud of getting it right. I guess it's been a long time since I was rewarded for getting the right answer. I had forgotten how good it feels:-) Yet mildly embarrassing when people make a big deal.
Sidewalk chalk

We worked our way through the factory. Ryan did sidewalk chalk on the make believe street. Then Zach and Jay drew on the glass wall with glass markers. He drew a picture of Jay and wrote "pinhed". For those of you who don't know Jay and his brother Ben have made a game of calling each other "pinhead". It stems from a torturous childhood I guess. **Note to Jay and Ben: I TOLD YOU SO! Do you see what happens when grown men act like children?!** They of course will both think it is hilarious that Zach did it and yet try not to laugh when they tell Zach that it's not nice. GRRRRRRRR!
I digress...
We did so many things at the Crayola Factory I can't list them all, but I'll give you the short list. We made masks, danced in front of a cool light wall that does neat things with your silhouette, made a print and turned it into a book, made mini animations with toys, sculpted with model magic, made wax pictures and several other crafts. I highly recommend it to anyone near Lehigh Valley, PA.
I also found out that they have state crayons. Maryland is Francis Scott Kiwi(it's bright kiwi green). How fun is that? I took pictures of them all if anyone wants to know their state leave a comment:-)
Wax painting at the Crayola Factory

Included in the price of admission to the Crayola Factory is the Canal Museum. We didn't leave much time for it because we were having so much fun at Crayola. We also thought it might be a little lame and boring. Some of it was, but I think the water table there may have been Jay's favorite thing on the trip! You should have seen his engineering mind at work creating pathways with rushing water and all sorts of other things. He and Zach really had fun there. They didn't really leave time for the rest of the place. There was a Polar Express exhibit with a model train and some cute activities and we didn't even see the rest of the museum because they closed earlier than we thought:-( It looked like they had some other cool things to do on the next level up. Oh well, we had a great time doing the things we did!
Jay in his element at the Canal Museum

The next day we went to the Discovery Center which is deceivingly awesome. It was in this old office building for the abandoned steel factory next door. It had some really fun things...too many to list again. I'll have to give you the abbreviated highlights. Jay and Zach went through a completely dark tunnel where they had to feel their way around. There were tons of fun mind bender type puzzles, building things, sound and light experiments...I could go on and on. (I think I may have.) It was fun for all. Another day well spent.
Zach building at the science museum

We also got in some swimming at the hotel pool. I didn't get too many pictures at the pool, but here is Ryan in his duck towel/suit thingy after we got back to the room. It's a bit too small, but I love it so much. It's going to be hard to let it go:-(
Ryan regarding himself as a duck

**Pictures are now up, but not captioned yet.**

I'm Baaaaack!

We're are back from vacation. It was good to get away. I'll post pictures and tell y'all all about it later. It's great to be home:-)

Is this how the Marines feel?!

I've done more before 9:15 today than I usually do all day! I feel great. I got up before the baby today and showered, dried my hair and I even got to do some personal grooming(woohoo!). I got Ryan up and gave him breakfast. After he ate his Cheerios he got to munch on a banana in his high chair while watching some Baby Van Gogh so I could give the dog a bath. The dog is clean and dry now. I'm working on two loads of laundry. I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher-it's running now. I'm on a roll!!! Well, the Wiggles is almost over, time to go play with my monkey:-)

Bible Break

It is good to get out of the house and have someone else take care of the boy for a little while! I feel so relaxed and rejuvenated after my Bible Study this morning! It's amazing what a little adult conversation and challenging of the mind can do for the soul! Thank God for my Wednesday morning 'Coffee Break'. I brought my own hot chocolate since I don't drink coffee;-)

I need a vacation!

Luckily we are taking one:-) We just booked the hotel last night. I'm so excited! We are not going too far, so it won't be warm like Jay would have liked. The hotel does have an indoor pool though:-) I'll have to dig out our bathing suits. I do believe that this is our first family vacation with just our little family. We've had lots of vacations with my family or Jay's family, but none with just the four of us. I think it will be fun. We are going to visit the Crayola Factory and some other area things that we have not totally decided on yet. There are caverns, a hands on museum and a science museum that all look interesting. It doesn't matter to me if we just hang out at the pool and relax all weekend as long as I get to get away. Jay on the other hand I'm sure will want to do lots of things. Hopefully we will be able to find a happy medium between 'relax' and 'pack in every last drop of fun and excitement possible'. I think we'll manage. It will be good to have some family time. I can't wait!
*This trip is brought to us today by the Bureau of Sanity in hopes that I keep mine. It is made possible by the generous dog sitting contribution of John and Elizabee. Thanks to all those who made this dream a reality!*

Monday Moaning

I just have to complain about this...
Ryan had a horrible night last night. I think a combination of teething and a runny nose made him wake up just about every hour or so. Until about 5 in the morning he decided it was time to be awake, grrrrrrrrrr. He is so obviously tired with his head on my shoulder, but every time I try to put him down=major crying. I tried leaving him in his room thinking he was just toying with me, but he cried and cried. So as a last ditch effort to get SOME sleep I brought him back to our bed where he still did not sleep. He just kicked, wiggled, rolled around and climbed on us for half an hour. I took him back to his room gave him a kiss on the head and walked backward slowly out of his room. I slowly closed the door until it was just cracked...WAH! Shhhhh..it's okay. Standing there waiting for the next wail of abandonment I think how hard it's going to be to get up to get Zach to school in the morning. Jay woke Zach up on his way out of the house so I could get a little more shut eye. This was particularly sweet because Jay also lacks the sleep of last night that I lack. Yet he is bravely facing the world at work...what a trooper! He set his alarm so I could get up at 8. Still way to early I peal myself out of bed to help Zach get ready. He took incredibly long to finish his cereal, so we were scrambling at the last minute. I set him ahead to the bus stop and noticed there was no one there. Either we missed the bus or there is a delay, so I check the TV. After switching channels to see which is closest to 'H' I find out that our school district is CLOSED. WHAT?! The roads are plowed there is no snow falling what possible reason would they be closed?! I go out in the cold to tell Zach to come back from the bus stop and he doesn't understand. AHHHHHHHHH. No coat- it's COLD. So there it is. No sleep, up early for NOTHING and cold. This day did not start out so well!

Stacking People

What better way to watch a football game than in a dog pile of your own in front of a big screen TV?! We went down to Landon and Katie's house to watch the playoff games today. Jay had Zach in his lap explaining the football game. Ryan decided he wanted in on this new crazy stacking people game;-) Jay managed to pull him up and there you go.
My boys watchin' the game

We had to leave at bed time, so here I am bloging while Jay sits next to me watching the rest of the second game.

More snowy pictures...

Okay it's more pictures, but I couldn't resist! They are just so cute:-) Jay decided to play in the snow while he was waiting for his wings, so I brought him Zach's sled and he went to town. He looked like he was having so much fun that I suited Ryan up and set him out to play with Daddy. I couldn't resist getting some pictures, so out in the cold I went. I even participated in some of the sledding fun. I went down the hill with Ryan a few times. No pictures of that because I'm the picture taker of the family. Oh well, you'll just have to believe me;-)
Jay sledding

Ryan sledding

All by himself!

Don't forget to check out my 'How much snow do you have?' game with Erin!

New Game!

Let's play the 'Who has the craziest husband?' game. I submit that my husband is currently grilling wings...in the snow...it's FREEEEEEEEZING! Do I have a ruling?
My Crazy Hubby!

**post grilling note: Jay wanted me to add that the wings were good. He says that makes it all worth it. I think that makes me worried about his sanity.**
***Now he wants to go to the store. Not because we need something...he just wants to go out in the Explorer!***

'How Much Snow do You Have?' Game

I just read Erin's response to my comment about her snow entry. So now we are going to play the 'How much snow do you have?' game! It looks like I'm winning;-) To be fair we didn't shovel our driveway from the last snow. The street had been plowed though.
11:45 from our front window

Driveway 11:45

2:07PM
driveway

front

Driveway 4:15 

Corolla is not going anywhere any time soon! 4:15 

Christening the New Sled

Zach is out christening his new sled. It's the first snow since he got it on Christmas. Here is a picture of his first ride on his very own sled. Uncle TJ really knows how to pick a fun gift! He is out playing with the neighbors in their yard now. They have a bigger hill. I can see them from the window. They seem to be having a lot of fun.
Speaking of Uncle TJ the great gift giver;-) He just called this afternoon. I talked to him for quite a while until his time ran out. He seems well. As for me- I am just praying for his safe and speedy return. It shouldn't be long now!
new sled

'Snow Wonder

It's no wonder parents complain about snow. No matter what it gets in the way of your schedule. What I am baffled by is the fact that our schools didn't get out early yesterday when it was actually snowing, but they opened 2 hours late this morning. The streets are all plowed and there hasn't been any snow since yesterday afternoon. Yesterday when the busses came there was an inch and a half of snow on all the back streets. Maybe the reason for the 'caution' this morning is the fact that one of the school buses was in an accident yesterday because of the snow. What are you supposed to do with a 2 hour delay anyway?! You can't let them go outside and play because then they will have to change before school or just be soaked. Zach about drove me crazy asking every 5 minutes if he could put his lunch in his back pack. I finally stopped explaining why not and just said no.
The boys ended up playing together for much of the morning. They especially liked chasing each other around making lots of noise. I was almost relieved when Zach asked to watch TV. If you know me you know this is not like me at all, but I was getting a little tired of all the noise. So Zach watched some TV while Ryan and I went down to the basement to do some laundry.
I told you Ryan has been stacking everything and anything. He discovered an economy size pack of paper towels...I think you know what happened next. I also threw in a bonus picture of him building with his Pop Onz this morning.
big 'blocks'

Pop Onz

Snow!

I took Ryan out to experience the first snow of the season. Last time it snowed he was 4 months old and didn't really regard the snow much. This time he thought it was more interesting. He walked around and touched some with his little mitten. Unfortunately when he is all bundled up in snow pants and a coat he can't bend at the waist very well. I think he would have continued to have fun, but mommy got COLD, so we came in. Maybe when daddy gets home from work he will be better at staying outside in the cold so Ryan can play in the snow longer.
Snow, snow, snow

Here is some video of our snowy experience:-)

Can he build it?

Yes he can!
Ryan is into building towers lately. He'll build them with anything. Today he tried to make a tower of shoes at the shoe store:-)Here are a couple of towers he has built recently. He started out building on top of the elephant and he got all 4 blocks up there, but by the time I got the camera he had knocked that one down and started building next to it. In the second picture he is using his shape sorting blocks. It gets a little dicey when he starts with the semi-circle, but if she starts with a wide base of the circle or star he does pretty well.
Tower building

Wow, that's tall! 

Feeling Wanted

Jay got up with Ryan this morning so I could sleep in. Isn't he a sweetheart?! :-) I didn't get to sleep too much longer because Ryan missed me. He came and pounded on my door saying "mama! mama!" It's so nice to feel wanted! I'm almost not sad that I didn't really get to sleep in.

Uncle Ben

Uncle Ben came to visit yesterday. The boys had lots of fun with him. He sang fun songs about a goat and some other crazy songs with Zach. He had both boys on his shoulders at one point or another. They both loved that. Check out Ryan's huge smile! Of course Daisy(our dog) was beside herself with joy at Uncle Ben's visit. I think he is her favorite person in the world. He pays lots of attention to her and plays with her whenever he comes over. Jay and I enjoyed him as well. They did some computer stuff and then we all watched Alias.
Ben is leaving for Guatemala this weekend to help build shelters. He has such a big heart! Then he goes back to school and we won't see him again until summer :-(
Fun with Uncle Ben


On a side note: Alias was awesome last night!

Sweet Dreams

Aren't they so sweet when they are sleeping?! I think we are both feeling a bit sleepy today. Maybe we'll squeeze in an extra nap :-) Somehow I doubt Ryan will agree to that. Oh well.
Sleepy baby

And I Did it My Way...

[Gotta love 'Old Blue Eyes'! For those of my generation who don't know Frank Sinatra- You are really missing out!]
I'm beginning to realize that everyone has their own routine for everything. Each person's own routine makes the most sense to them. There have been times that watching someone do something a different way has driven me crazy. For instance last week when Ryan had a diaper rash one of us would change him and the other would hold him still and try to comfort him. When Jay was changing his diaper I was forced to watch him do everything differently than I would. I had to turn my head and fight the urge to tell him he was doing it all wrong. Really I think it comes down to priorities. My priority is for Ryan to be uncovered and uncomfortable for the shortest amount of time possible. My way includes having a diaper, wipes and diaper cream open and ready to go before I even make the baby lie down. After he is all cleaned up and schmeared with cream his diaper goes on immediately. If he is upset or antzy I pick him up before I even put his pants back on. Cleaning up is secondary and will happen when Ryan is happy again. Now I know that Jay doesn't want Ryan to suffer any longer than necessary either, but he just doesn't do things the same way. I think he is more task oriented in his diaper changing technique. 1)Baby needs to be changed, take off his pants and diaper. 2)Dirty bottom->clean. 3)Old diaper is dirty, wrap it up. 4)Baby is naked, put on cream and new diaper. 5)Pants are off, put pants on. 6)Baby is high, put baby down on floor or hand him to mommy if he is crying. 7) Changing table is a mess, throw away diaper and put cream away. 8)Hands came within millimeters of poopy, wash hands! See the difference?

Another hallmark of "my way" is efficiency. For example if Ryan has a dirty diaper and it's close to bed time I will change him into his jammies since I already have his pants off. This goes the other way too, of course I will change his diaper when I am putting his jammies on. This makes complete sense to me. It's hard for me to believe that it's not something others would automatically do. Why doesn't everyone think like me? Life would be so much easier if they did!

If having a baby has taught me anything about other people it is this- People do things differently; Not necessarily better or worse, just different. Recognizing this appears to be the easy part. Accepting that my way is not the only (or at least the best) way is proving more difficult;-)

Indian Giver

Ryan and I have had several rounds of 'Here ya go.'-'Thank you.'-'You're welcome' the past few days. Our little game goes kind of like this:
Ryan brings something, a book for example, over to me and says,"hee ya oh."
I take the book and say "Thank you."
Then he puts his hand out and I give the book back and say, "Here ya go."
Ryan says, "takoo."
Mommy says, "You're welcome."
Repeat as many times as Ryan thinks it's fun. Usually he ends up with the book(or whatever else) in the end.

Bed Time Stories

Nothing super interesting is going on here(as usual), so here is a clip from our every day life. Zach and Ryan in their matching PJs from Grandmommy reading bedtime stories. If you notice they are on the floor right next to the stairs. I thought it would be cute to get a picture in their matching jammies, but Ryan didn't seem to want to cooperate. He wanted to read his book sitting on the bottom step. So I had Zach sit next to him and try to read him the story. That just sent Ryan into a screaming fit. "How dare you take my book and read all that non-sense to me?! I can read it myself!" So I gave Zach another book to read to him so he could hold the book he had. The picture that started on the steps ended up on the floor and then in the kitchen. This whole toddler mobility thing really makes for major difficulty at picture time.
What are you reading?