Hot Date

Happy Valentine's Day! We had a very busy day. Alan had class in Grand Rapids yesterday. So, rather than staying home, Thomas and I tagged along. While he was busy with class, Thomas and I had a hot date. We started at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. Which is really cool! We had a lot of fun. I totally recommend it. There was a ton to do and it is really interactive. Below are a bunch of pictures from our day.

The magnet table really caught his interest. I'm sure it helped that it was filled with bolts, nuts, and rods. He loves his tools! I had to explain to him that he couldn't put them in his pocket and take them home. He thought we could use them downstairs.

Making bubbles in the bubble table. Surprisingly, Thomas did not make a mess. I can see how this could go wrong.

Happy with his accomplishment!

Mommy's hot date.

Making a rainbow.

Shopping. Thomas filled his cart with all of his fav produce and then went to the checkout where another little boy rang him up and bagged his groceries. So fun!

So, there aren't any other kids in any of these photos. There were a lot of people at the museum, but since there are so many "attractions" and they are all set up for multiple users the kids aren't on top of each other all the time. Added bonus! They really understand small kids there and we never had to wait to do an activity for more than a minute.

After the museum, Thomas and I went to lunch at Panera. He loves Panera! Daddy was ready to be picked up after we ate so we went and got him. Alan wanted to do a little shopping so off we went. While Alan was in Gander Mountain, Thomas and I went to Pet Smart. Pet Smart on a Saturday is like a free zoo. You should check it out. He got to see (and love on) lots of dogs and cats, pet an iguana, watch the dogs get their hair cut, watch the fish, and laugh at the way-too-hyper guinea pigs. Whew! We headed home and Thomas did not take a nap at all. He did alright, especially considering that we also went out to dinner. What a busy (and fun) day!

Pishers

Thomas is the hardest kid to get a picture of. He is constantly in motion and only looks at the camera for a nanosecond at a time. I can literally take 25 pictures and get 1 that might work. Tonight, I wanted to take a picture of him with his "new" radio controlled Hummer (which is actually a b-day gift that we are just getting out). He was really excited and having a great time with it. But, when I suggested that a photo be taken he refused. So, the following pictures are of Thomas trying to attack me in order to have a turn taking "pishers."

If I am really still and sweet maybe she'll just hand over the camera.

Up close and personal. Trying a different angle - over the arm of the chair.

"Pishers." Thomas has this new "thing" that he does with his mouth. He puckers up his lips in an effort to talk cuter/more persuasively/emphatically, we aren't really sure. Which really just makes him harder to understand. Of course it would be my kid that would figure these things out. This is the result:

The Greats

We had our good friends, Rob and Kathy, over to watch the Super Bowl. Thomas is always very excited when Great Rob and Great Kathy come over for dinner. I made chili and they brought some munchies. Great Rob tried to teach Thomas the art of dipping and eating shrimp. Thomas was intrigued but didn't actually eat the shrimp. I'm wondering if we have found the 2nd food that he won't eat. The 1st being mashed potatoes. All in all, we are pretty blessed. He eats everything (except shrimp and mashed potatoes) with gusto.

So, why the "Greats?" Rob and Kathy are very dear friends of ours. They aren't related so they wouldn't be Aunt or Uncle or Great Aunt or Great Uncle- so, they are just Great. They are SO good to Thomas and we are really fortunate to have them as friends. (Thanks Kathy for the inspiration).

Nothing Sweeter

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping child. Thomas has been going to bed with all of his "friends" lately.

Worker Bees

As if we haven't been busy enough the last year, we decided to start finishing our basement this winter. When finished, it will add just under 1000 sq feet of additional living space for us. It is our project for when the weather is too bad to go out. Thomas LOVES to work in the basement. We are in the framing stages of the bedroom, bath, storage, and living room. He is always working on something when we are in the basement. Monkey see, monkey do. He LOVES tools and is amazingly proficient in using them for someone of his age.


On another note, Alan has had some good news at work. He is now on the advisory committee for his school and is the lead 6th grade teacher. He'll have to go to Cincinnati for 4 days the end of February for training. In addition, he will be participating in the extended day program. He'll be working some longer days but will compensated greatly for his extra efforts in making his school a better place for learning.

Alan's New Toy

So, here it is - Alan and Thomas' new toy. Our new truck was delivered yesterday. We thought it was going to be black, so we were a bit surprised, but like this color just the same.

Shoppin'

So, is it bad that Thomas now pretends to shop? When we go to the store I am constantly telling him, "You can't eat/open/play with/take home ________, until we pay." To which he normally demonstrates a mini-toddler-tantrum in the checkout. When I was unloading the dishwasher he was pushing his cart around and filling it with all his favorite toys, then he decided to "pay." So, he's using his picinic table as the checkout and "paying" for all his stuff. Like mother, like son. If only I could use the money out of his Fisher Price Piggy Bank toy like he was.

Oh yeah, we're home today because it's a snow day. The third one this week. I feel kind of guilty that I'm not really working but still getting paid - is that how welfare works?