The Perfect Dress

Today Killian and Oma went on a date to pick out the material to make his nap mat for school.  He will be spending one day a week at school full day because music and dance are in the afternoon.  I thought it would be helpful if he had some control in the nap mat (maybe he'll actually nap on it?!)  When Oma got home with him, she told me that Killian picked out a pattern for a strapless gown with very sparkly top half and satiny lower part.  As she was talking I was figuring it was a pattern he'd picked out for himself (he does play dress up a lot in princess dresses....).  After she finished describing the dress he'd selected, she proceed to tell her that it was for me.  That I would wear it when we got married.  Because he wants to marry me.  He melts my heart.

Loves his sisters

On Fridays we go into the classroom to pick up the kids.  Killian missed his sisters so much.  He ran into the lower elementary class and said "I miss you sisters"

I think she missed him too!

First Day of School

Just back from our trip and back to school!  The kids were all excited to head back to their friends.  

No idea what is going on with this "smile".  Killian is starting half-day, everyday preschool..  He will be joining the primary class at school which is a group from 3 year olds - Kindergarten.

My second grader with her big smile full of braces.

Keeley really likes to snuggle that brother. Not sure the feeling is mutual!

Oh my.  That face again!

My first and second grader!

A little more space between these two.

Kayden is moving out of the primary classroom into the lower elementary classroom with Keeley.

Maryland - Day 3

Saturday we set out with Dad and Granddad and Caroline for the Port Discovery Museum.  There was this huge climbing structure when we first entered.

Killian was just as brave as his sisters and just needed a little help to get up some of the walls.  The kids climbed for a long time together with the adults running around below to keep an eye on them.

After they exited the climbing structure the girls went one way and Killian headed off with me.

I think Killian loved this kitchen area and I think he would have stayed here the entire day if we'd let him!

We moved on to a thingamujig sorting conveyor belt.

And then met up with sisters in the water/bubble area.  Keeley is standing inside a giant bubble here!

On the way our they had these little tubes drying people!

 

It was raining on us the way back but we still played at this park.  This was the kids favorite thing.  The free thing that we just happened to find.  Not any of the things we planned or paid for.  Kids are funny.

What's the perfect way to end the day?  Ice cream!!

I didn't get any pictures the last day but it was a good day.  We woke up and met Brent and Courtney for breakfast at Miss Shirley's (delicious!) and then headed to the airport so we had plenty of time to run around and get to our location with no stress.  Several people commented that I must be a "laid back" mom to be traveling with the kids the weekend before school started.  I just laughed and explained that I really hadn't thought it through because I was most certainly not "laid back."  We loaded the plane and Killian promptly fell asleep and slept the entire way home.  I was shocked.  It was lovely.  We stopped for dinner at Texas Roadhouse, got home and cleaned up, and everyone was tucked in at bedtime. Ready for school the next day!  Great weekend!

Maryland - Day 2

On Friday, the guys had to go to work so the kids and I took a slow start to the morning.  We ordered room service for breakfast and watched a show.

And then we began our trek over to the National Aquarium.

This adorable park was on the way

We only got to play for a few minutes because we had a specific entrance time (thanks to some tips from the hotel staff).

As we continued on our way we passed this giant crab.

The aquarium was pretty amazing.

This was probably my favorite part.  We could look down and see all this aquatic life.  This big tortoise was a rescue one with a damaged flipper.

The girls are at a fun age where they can read the signs at museums and learn more on their own.

This was an amazing jelly fish sculpture in the jellyfish section.

These tiny jelly fish were my favorite.

While we were staying in a very pedestrian friendly area, we were not staying in an area with tons of kid friendly food options.  As we left the museum there were some definite meltdowns happening and I didn't have any great options for kid friendly restaurants.  We ended up at Cheesecake Factory.  It was super tasty, the kids did great, and I think the fun drinks made it better for them - that flavored lemonade with sugar rim was a definite distraction from the mood!  I got annoyed with Kayden's hand being in the picture and said I was going to take another.

She's a sneaky one.  I didn't see this one until I put them on the computer.

As we were walking to the restaurant we'd passed some paddle boats and I told the kids we could go back.  So fun!  Not maybe the best decision to take 3 kids out on a paddle boat as the lone adult.  Especially not with a 3 year old.  But I'm definitely glad we took the risk!

After the museum, the restaurant, and the paddle boats all by myself and all walking around, I needed a rest.  We headed back to the hotel.  I ordered myself some hot tea, got the kids cleaned up, and got them a snack while they watched a movie and I read my book.

It was a great first day but we were definitely excited to explore with Dad the next day!