Louisville Science Center

We met the McAfee's this morning for a trip to the Louisville Science Center.
The temporary exhibit right now is about the human body and has a Sesame Street theme.
This part was telling kids how important exercise is and gave them the opportunity to kick a ball, jump, and hand pedal.
There was an obstacle course for preschoolers and toddlers.
Of course the Ellnor kids tried to destroy it by taking about all of the velcro pieces.
There was a little grocery store so the kids could shop for healthy foods. Grace opted for potatoes and bananas.
Jake was a good little shopper.
Sam and Gabriel used scanner to answer questions about the foods displayed.
Next, we went to the Kid Zone.
Gabriel and Grace looked at insects under microscopes.

Insects and food on the same table?? Grace and I couldn't quite figure this one out.
One of the highlights of the Kid Zone is the water table.
Gabriel had an ear ache, so he wasn't really enthusiastic about the water table.
Grace dumped water all over the floor then splashed in the water.
She really enjoyed the water table and wasn't ready to leave when the rest of our crew was.
Jake and Grace went from the water table to bubbles. At one point they both had the bubble wands in their mouths. Nice!
Gabriel really enjoyed this computer game where you created your own bicycle. He created a titanium bike that had hand pedals.
Jake and Grace were so cute looking at the skulls inside the showcase.
Our last stop was where the kids put themselves inside a bubble. Gabriel was adamant about doing this before we left the museum.
Jake and Sam got a bubble almost completely around them.

Thanks for the fun outing, Sam, Jake, and Alicia! We had a great morning!

Adopt-a-Doll

Wednesday evening Judge Carmichael hosted Adopt-a-Doll at the Clark County Courthouse.
Grace adopted her baby doll and named her Angelina for the adoption.
Gabriel adopted his lion which was very fitting because he and Lion have been very close since Gabriel was just a baby.
The Adopt-a-Doll event was very cute!
After Adopt-a-Doll, we went to Adrienne & Co. for a little dessert.
I love my two babes!
Here's Daddy showing his love for his babes. Hehe!
We had a perfect evening together!

Reading with Daddy

Daddy got a new e-reader for Christmas and downloaded A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh. He started reading it to the kids this week, and they were completely engrossed in the story.

My T.V. Addict

Last night I was putting away laundry in my bedroom and Grace was "helping" me. This was the conversation we had:

Grace: Mommy, I want a t.v. in my room.
Me: Hmmm . . . why?
Grace: Because sometimes when I'm laying in bed, I just want to watch t.v.

Now, Dan and I have had a debate about t.v.'s in the bedroom for our entire marriage. I say no t.v. in the bedroom because sleeping all night with the t.v. on keeps you from getting good rest. I'm pretty sure if we had a t.v. in the bedroom, Dan would want it to be on most of the night. Dan just plain old wants a t.v. in the bedroom . . . just cuz.

If there was ever a way to sway my opinion on this issue, my sweet little girl could probably do it. I can just imagine myself cuddled up in bed next to Grace watching cartoons until we both fall asleep. So sweet!

Only Grace

would stick a French fry up her nose and laugh like it's the funniest thing in the world.

Card Sharks

We went back to Grandma and Papaw's house tonight to eat Christmas dinner leftovers. After dinner, we got into a mean game of Uno.
Grace started out on my "team," then switched to Daddy's "team," and ended up on Papaw's "team."

Gabriel is a pretty good Uno player. He is catching on to some strategy lately too.

Christmas Dinner

Gabriel took his Leapster to Grandma and Papaw's house for Christmas dinner. I can tell you now that we are going to have to put time limits on this thing.
A couple of gifts got misplaced at Alice's Christmas party, so she was kind enough to bring them to Mom and Dad's. They were gifts that I bought in Ohio for Stacey and Eddie. Stacey's shirt says, "What can we do make America a better place?" On the back it says, "Give Michigan to Canada." (Stacey is from Michigan. That is where her family is.) I LOVED her response to my gag gift. She asked, "Am I supposed to say Thank You?"
I gave Eddie a shirt too. I love how he is laughing in this picture while he gives her a chance to read it.
She said, "Now that's just mean. Where did you buy these?"
Grandma and Papaw gave Gabriel a kickball game. I bet we will be able to get some good kickball games going while we camp this summer. Grandma and Papaw's backyard is a great place for a kickball game too.
Grace got the game Go Fish. She is such a cheater at this game!
Mom had lots of help in the kitchen getting dinner together.
Erin sat patiently with the kiddos and watched Gabriel play his Leapster.

Stolen Photos

I stole pictures from Mom and Dad's camera because I didn't take as many pictures as I'd wanted. Lucy loves Grampy.
Erin and Brian
More pictures of Christmas chaos --- Grace posed with her feather boa.
Gabe and Bobby
Grace
MORE Christmas chaos
Grace enjoyed sitting in Mommy's new camp chair.
Grandma sported Grace's feather boa for a bit.
Uncle Robbie checked out Gabriel's Leapster. This is how Gabriel was for the rest of the morning. He sat at the table and played his Leapster forever.

Funny Story

After presents and breakfast, we all just hung out enjoying our new goodies and each others' company on Christmas morning. It was very laid back and relaxed. Eddie and Grace were in the living room teasing each other. Grace had her new camera and was taking pictures of different things. Eddie kept asking her to take his picture, and she kept teasing him and telling him no. After a few minutes, she told Eddie to stand over by the couch. We all thought she was posing him for a picture. She told him exactly where to stand. She got in position to take a picture, and Eddie was posing . . . but she was pointing the camera the opposite direction. She had moved him OUT of her picture! Here we were all under the impression that she was posing him to take his picture, but she was totally setting up a picture WITHOUT him in it! We laughed SO HARD! She is an absolute hoot! And you know what? She is a smarty-pants to boot!