Indianapolis Trip

Robert needed to take in a trade show in Indianapolis.  It was going to be his second time out that way since January.  Our schedule worked out well to tag along.  I had heard the children's museum was great, and it did not disappoint.  Indiana boasts the largest children's museum in the world (sq. ft).

The museum had four floors that you could tour.  We were there when it opened at 10am and closed it down at 5:00 pm and did not see all the exhibits. 

 The kids all tried sitting in an Indy car

 One of many exhibits featured the making of movies and TV shows

 Bumblebee Camaro in the museum parking ramp, it was on exhibit and had a reserved parking spot!

 From the construction section.  They used a bicycle hand crank to move the bulldozer around to push the rocks. Emily was up a story in a working crane.

 On part of the museum featured retro toys.  Emily played Pong and Noelle played Pacman

 The fourth floor had a working carousel.  We had to take a ride.

Noelle sitting on her nest of dino eggs

 

The dinosaur part of the museum was really neat.  We went through a room that put you in an environment with dinosaurs.  There were sounds, models some with real bones, places you could dig, and even sit on eggs.  There are some paleontologist that work there full time in a lab studying different finds.  Currently the museum had a mummified dinosaur on loan. This was pretty special since they could learn about the skin/muscles as well. 

 More from the movie exhibit.  Trying out a green screen in capes, saving the world!

 The Transformer exhibit was really neat.  Lots of stuff on how the movies were made, you could design your own transformer, and run from the Autobots.

Noelle liked the places she could dig.  We stopped to dig dinosaur bones, this picture has her extracting Chinese Ming Dynasty Soldiers found in a cave. Half of floor three was dedicated for kids under 5, and no field trips were let in either.  These rooms had sensory tables galore, sand, water, and music activities, plus a climbing area.  Noelle was in heaven, but the older kids agreed to the docent in charge that they would only help if needed but not play.  They did pretty well for a while and then Dallas just could not handle it anymore. It all was pretty fun looking stuff.  We took a break to eat lunch, but Noelle could not stop talking about heading back to the sand table.

Dallas built this Chinese soldier, it was a 3D puzzle.

Bumblebee in the atrium

These dinosaurs are also in the atrium of the museum, trying to get in.  The baby is easily 4 stories up, and the mother just has her head in, the rest of that model is outside.

 We visited the Indiana War Memorial. Originally built as a memorial for WWI.  It also houses the national offices of the American Legion.  We covered American history this year so the kids were able to recognize some of displays, but mostly Dallas was tired/cranky and we just needed to run around in a less solemn place.

 Next stop was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Robert has done the museum tour and has attended a race before.  He thought the track tour might be run.  We did learn a couple of things but I wouldn't really recommend the tour to anyone.  I didn't feel it was worth the price tag.  We hopped on a van and did one loop around the track listening to a recording of a few track facts, the van did stop at the start finish line, "the bricks" but we were not allowed out.  I thought the track tour in Charlotte was much better!

The kids were "amazed" at this fancy machine the hotel had in the breakfast area.  One quick push of a button and a minute later two hot pancakes popped out onto the plate.

 

We had ice cream for lunch one day.  We googled the best local ice cream and ended up at a place that was open, but didn't have inside seating.  It was a little chilly to be eating ice cream outside, but it didn't disappoint. 

 

 

 

The side of the JW Marriot was wrapped in a huge March madness bracket. We were all wondering how they were going to fill in the entries.

wish list

I am getting a head start on my birthday list.  I am wanting to do a couple things to our deck space to make it easier to eat outside and have friends over.  All of these are Better Homes and Gardens brand and can be found at Walmart for $15 or less!  The hamper is just because I need something to replace the basket at the bottom of the laundry chute.  I am fairly positive I will regret it having wheels, because, kids.  But it is pretty to look at.

A little bit of life

 Dallas enjoying a little tease of Spring. We made a deal he could wear shorts if it was 60 degrees or above.

 I have been occasionally ordering Bountiful Baskets.  In Ames they deliver every other Saturday.  You order by the Tuesday prior. The above picture is $15 of produce, half veggie and fruit. You don't get to pick what you get in the general basket, but you can have add ons.  The below picture is of the juicing pack I added on one week, it was an additional $8.  I have gotten the add on lunch pack a couple times, it usually has baby carrots, apples and other snack type veggies.  I haven't ordered the bread yet, but they always have some add ons in that category and people have great things to say about them.  We split a box of apples with another family this Fall.  The price was $0.68/lb.

 My whole family in one chair

 One last snowfall, Dallas is scooping at the neighbors.

 my folding pile

 I should never buy "fun" bandaides

I finally picked up a basket for our library books. Looks so much nicer than keeping them in the neon green prevent suicide reusable bag...

Valentine's Day 2015

 The kids and I got Robert beef jerky from his favorite meat place, Forbes. We also tried a pack of pepperoni sticks. 

 Me eating my first sugar/gluten in 44 days.  It was sweet, and very Valentiney

And we ended the day at Hickory Park, cheese balls and barbeque makes the whole family happy.

Father-Daughter Dance 2015

 Dressed to the nines.  I made a new dress for Emily and during the final ironing I somehow burned a hole through the bodice and skirt! It was not a place I could hide with a sash or cardigan.  I was so upset.  She is so easy going and was happy to wear this dress from her closet.  I did sew Robert's bow tie.  It is a real tie, the bow ties I have made before for Dallas are already tied and connect under the collar with velcro.  We both watched a couple of youtube videos on how to tie a bow tie.  I think it worked out well.  Noelle is wearing one of her favorite twirly dresses via a birthday present from Aunt Lynne.

 This year cousin Audrey and her daddy Mark joined in on the fun.  April took gpa Dallas again.

 The theme was Hollywood nights.  Can you guess the favors handed out?  Sunglasses.  There was a red carpet to walk and lots of background scenes that made for great photo ops. 

The girls and Robert, as always, had a great time.  I am glad they have made a tradition of going each year.

 

-Dallas and I had a date.  We did all things he picked.  Eatting at Jimmy Johns, with his own bag of chips and sandwich.  Not sharing is a special thing!  Picked up a desert at the Cafe and watched Phineas and Ferb on Netflix.  He is easy to please.

miss me?

Who has missed my little updates?  I need to get on a little more often and blog so each entry doesn't have to have its on zip code.

Since I blogged last I/we have:
-spent hours talking to insurance/clinic people on the phone to resolve a "routine" change in providers
-Dallas has lost two teeth
-watched Cyclone basketball be at the top and the bottom
-visited the worlds largest children's museum
-sat through an entire piano recital without a babysitter
-attend many an Upwards basketball game without getting bleacher butt or losing to much money to the snack shack

 Practice-a-thon raised $8500 for the Ames Residence Program- Thanks to all who supported Emily

 Winter Recital 2015

 We went to check out what Game Day looks like live.  Hilton was so exciting and gave ESPN a warm welcome.

 Attending Cubbie parents night with Noelle at Awana.  We played a game of dodge the sock, throw the sock.  They have a 18 gallon tub with random socks knotted in the middle and you scoop them up and throw them.  The kids love throwing them at the parents.

 Dallas Panther team after a game.  The kindergaten level is structured to have a half hour practice and then a half hour game each Friday night.  These kids loved it.

 We got a cocount in our Bountiful Basket in Febuary.  I was not really sure what to do with it so it sat in the fridge for a while.  I finally got the courage to open it up.  We put the water and the meat into the blender and made cocount milk.  I used that for my coffee and a smoothie for the kids.

 Emily finished Math book 1

 Trying her dance costume on

 Valentine's Party at preschool

 Dallas Valentines needed to be red dye free. We came up with the idea to make crayons in our lego molds.  Then I made him write "from Dallas" 32 times.  He was annoyed because I only made Noelle write her name on hers and I wrote the "from".  Tough being six...

 Losing tooth number 3, he let me pull this one.  Robert was in New Oreleans for work so we had to send a picture.  Tooth number 4 was discovered inside his cheek Monday morning when he woke up.

 Emily's Upwards team the Lynx.  3rd and 4th grade girls

The Panthers getting ready for their silly picture

Piano Practicathon Time

Mrs. Sibbel's Studio is once again hosting a Valentines Week Practice-ATHON

This year the studio is raising money for the Ames Emergency Residence Program.  http://www.amesshelter.org/ Specifically the money will go to updating some apartments the program keeps to provide housing for the homeless.  Each apartment needs about $3,500 in updates.  Did you know over 2000 people used Ames Emergency Residence program last year, 1,000 of those individuals were children!  This is a part of Ames I don't get to see or look beyond, and I know I need to get more involved. 
So if you would like to be more involved.  Emily would love for you to sponsor her practice time this week.  She started February 5 and will continue until February 12.  Her goal is to reach 140 minutes.  Her usual practice time averages 120 minutes/week.  She does have a recital at the end of the month so she is quite motivated. 

You can pledge a flat fee or money/minute whichever you choose! Checks can be made directly to Ames Emergency Residence or to Robert or I. 

Thanks!

and I will get off my soapbox and post more pictures