Thanksgiving Memories 2013

This year we got to host some of our relatives for the first time.  My grandparents and sister decided to make the trek out here since we decided to hold off on going to Indiana for Thanksgiving (I'm trying  to save up some trips for all the babies being born there next year).   It was so awesome to have them here, and Theo enjoyed greeting and entertaining the guests, building elaborate railways with his great grandpa, and chatting everyone up.  Eli (who is recovering well from his procedure) warmed up to the guests and loved all the extra snuggles. 

We enjoyed appetizers of my father's famous ham and cream cheese roll-ups, a new favorite of baked brie, deviled eggs (also known as Rotten Eggs by Theo who got up early to help me make these, and ate half of them) and a veggie platter with my grandma K's must-have-veggie-dip. 

Brian, as always, prepared the turkey and gravy.  He also helped me make these cute little pinterest guys, who Theo was sure to instruct everyone not to eat since they are made of wood.

For the main course, we had turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, grandma's green beans with sausage, stuffing, cranberry relish, Asian salad, and rolls. 

Eli's First Thanksgiving Meal!

 Of course my boys enjoyed their pies; pumpkin and apple.  And we had some cherry cobbler as well.

And at the end of the night, when Theo pulled the larger piece of the wish bone, his wish was for everyone to give him a kiss.  The perfect ending to a sweet holiday.

This was Theo's first Thanksgiving where he really understood the concept of being thankful.  He learned all about the history of the holiday and learned songs at pre-school, and made plenty of decorations at school and Sunday School.  His list of things to be thankful for this year has included:  Church, School, His teachers, His friends, Dada, Mama, and Eli, and a curvy train track.

I myself am very thankful for my two sweet as sugar boys, my one supportive husband, and all three floors of this house that has given us room to stretch our wings.  I'm thankful for all four tires on our golden car, and extremely thankful for my friends and my family, (especially for Aunt Nae Nae's patience in reading almost every Thanksgiving book we had to Theo in one sitting). 

Indiana Area Zoos

After last week's post, I knew I wanted to write a little something about the other zoos we visited this summer (and post photos).

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I am just drawn to zoos like a magnet.  Especially now with the kids.  While in Indiana this spring, awaiting our new housing situation, we visited:  the Fort Wayne Zoo (twice), the Indianapolis Zoo, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Quick Facts:

Fort Wayne Zoo
Hours:  Daily, 9am-5pm
Admission Cost:  Adult:  $13.50, Child (2-14) $8.50, 1 and under free
Parking:  Free and abundant
Rides:  Sky Safari, Train Ride, River Ride, Carousel Ride:  all $2.00; Pony Rides:  $5
Extra Info:  Bring Quarters for duck food, $1 to feed the giraffe, $1 to feed the goats; Get a ride pass to save a little bit on the rides

Best zoo around.  Seriously.  Recent changes to the safari take away a little of the magic from childhood, but it is still a beautiful zoo.  Feeding the giraffes is a new thing to excite little ones. 

Zoo on the first day of Spring!

 Zoo toward the end of spring!

Indianapolis Zoo
Hours:  Mon-Thurs, 9-5pm; Fri-Sun, 9-7pm
Admission Cost:  Adult:  $16.95, Child:  $11.95(free if your awesome in-laws have a membership you can get in with)
Parking:  $6.00
Rides: feed a giraffe, carousel, train, and roller coaster all cost $2.50.  $5.00 for the 4D theater (or get a ride pass to save a little)
Extra Info:  Get your tickets online and save a few dollars a person.

Dolphin show is unique, not found in many zoos.  Touch tank in Oceans exhibit lets kids get up close and personal.

Lincoln Park Zoo
Hours:  Varies throughout the year, about 7am-6pm
Admission Cost:  FREE
Parking:  located at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive; anything over 30 minutes is $20 in the off-season, and $20-35 in the summer months
Rides:  Carousel tickets are $2.75, train tickets are $2.50
Extra Info:   Look into a membership to save on parking if you live close but not close enough

You can also stop at the free conservatory on your way in.  For being right in the middle of the city, this seemed to be a huge park.

 Eli's first time on a carousel!

Ring Bearer, 1st Time Around, (2 1/2 years old)

When I was writing the post for Theo's latest ring-bearer experience, I decided I should first post about his first one.

Last year, when I was 7 months pregnant, Theo was a ring bearer for his Aunt Emily at her outside wedding in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

He practiced pretty well...

but was surprised when the flower girl actually started throwing the petals during the wedding.

He made it to the front with no tears, yelling, or help.

It took a bag full of suckers and stickers to keep him quiet and occupied throughout the wedding service (my main worry for the day). 

Going back down the aisle after the ceremony.

 But it all went well and he had a great time spending the day on the farm.  And I especially enjoyed the rain that came and cooled us all down (having an end of summer baby made for a very hot season).

Muncie Children's Museum

Last week we visited the Muncie Children's Museum.  Two of my sisters went to school at Ball State, so we are fairly familiar with the town.  A friend recommended this place after taking her 1 1/2 year old there, and we thought we would give it a try.

We took a 6 month, 2 year, and 3 year old with three adults (1:1 ratio).  We spent about 1.5 hours there and could have stayed longer if the adults weren't so tired.  This place was great for this age group, and would probably be good up through kindergarten age, maybe a little further up. 

The exhibits are set up very nicely so the kids can just go right from one area to the next, and you can monitor them from a distance. It was a task keeping Maci and Theo together, but we managed and had a lot of fun there.

Below are some of the exhibits/sections we spent time in and more info about the museum.

They both loved driving the large train, while we rode along as passengers.

Theo has perfected his "Yee-Haw".

Eli is still working on his.

Maci put on a show!

My favorite section is the grocery store, sponsored by Marsh.  So much fun!

It cracked me up that both of them knew how to run the credit card machines when they were pretending to check each other out.

This section is friendly for crawlers.  We'll have to come back in a few months to give it a better review once this little guy gets mobile.

They have several animals throughout the museum.  Maci was a smart girl and didn't want to touch the snake either.

Digging for dinosaur fossils is always fun!

Eli at the Ant hill with his Aunt Nae Nae!

There were also some musical areas, doll displays, a semi-cab they could get into and a tractor they both drove, an old auto they could pretend to work on, and an upstairs with three little pigs themed house construction play.  We especially love the 3 little pigs when we get together...  this time Eli was the one who made his house out of bricks.

If you live in the area, think about becoming a member.    If you plan to take one child 5 or 6 times a year, you will fare  better using a membership, if you have two children it will definitely be worth it after 3 or 4 visits.  Membership is  $70 per year/$120 per 2 years.  Daily admission is $6.  You can find a $1 off coupon on the website. Since this museum has reciprocity with over 250 other museums, you may even get free admission if you have a membership at a museum closer to your home.

*There are some half-price Sundays at the museum, and free Saturdays.  I know when some museums offer discount days they are way too crowded... not sure if this is the case with this museum or not.*