While we were in Indy for my mom's surprise party, we had time to do some fun activities. One of our favorites is visiting the Children's museum. It's an amazing place for kids and Evan always has so much fun. They were having their Haunted House also so we were able to take the kids through that (it's lights on during the day for the little ones). We had a blast.
Wee!
In the dinosphere looking at bones
Caitlin checking things out
Trains! We missed this part last time so he loved watching all the trains.
I think one of these is in his future... he loves these train tables.
At the entrance to the Haunted House (no pictures inside)
Another picture before Skeletown
At the end of the haunted house
Pictures with Oma and Mema - and our friend Skele
The carousel! I loved this carousel when I was little and so does Evan. I love to watch him ride it. Brings back lots of great memories.
Caitlin took a turn on a horse too
Caitlin and Oma and Mema
Here is a video of Evan pretending to slide like a penguin. This was in the Arctic exhibit they had. He had so much fun doing this. Kept going back to do it again once he figured it out.
We had a blast. My mom bought a membership so I think we'll be going back to the museum every time we come into town. There are always new exhibits and still more things we haven't done. Can't wait to go back!
I'm sure she doesn't want me posting about her age, but my mom turned 65 earlier in October. My sister, brother, and I thought we should do something special for her and so the idea of a surprise party was born. This past weekend we had the party and it was so much fun. Thanks to everyone who helped keep it a secret, helped with the party, and came to the party.
My sister was always planning on being home this past weekend as she was in Chicago for work. So, the plan was that she would occupy my mom all day. I flew in that morning with the two kids and Mema picked us up at the airport. Then, we picked up my brother and began a mad dash of preparing for the party. We picked up the cake and the ham/turkey. We took the kids back to my mom's house so they could nap and then my brother and I headed to the grocery. We had to do all the grocery shopping and prepare the food in about 3 hours! My cousin Ann came over early to help (and obviously Mema was there too) so thank goodness they were there! Everything was ready on time and people began arriving around 5pm. My mom and sister were supposed to arrive around 5:45pm. Becca and I texted each other as it got closer so we could be ready. Finally, they arrived! Here's a video of the surprise. (Sorry for the small break in the video at the beginning... I accidentally pressed the stop button for just a second).
She was so surprised if you can't tell. Really, she had no clue. Everyone did a fabulous job of keeping it secret. It was a lot of fun to plan and see how thrilled and excited she was. Thank you again to everyone for making it possible.
I took some more pictures of the party so here are those. I will post Caitlin's 9 month info soon too... I thought I should get this posted first for all those who were there or couldn't be there and wanted to see it.
Mom and Ella looking at old pictures she brought
Cousin Ann and Tom
Mark, Charlie, and George
Mark and Linda holding Caitlin
Debbie, Ann, and Becca
Will kept an eye on the kids outside - Evan is playing with Matt R.'s little girls
Happy Birthday Mom!
Yeah! Evan enjoyed the singing
Thanks again everyone! This was a really special day and I'm so happy you could all be a part of it. My mom is such a wonderful person that she deserves a very special celebration and this was perfect! Love you Mom!
P.S. Side note - yes, I flew with both kids BY MYSELF! Just wanted to let you know that it went well. Evan was pretty well behaved and Caitlin was good as well. It's definitely difficult to manage but there were nice people around on each flight who were very helpful. I'd definitely do it again... but maybe not right away :)
I sort of alluded in the last post to the fact that Evan must now share his toys with Caitlin (which he of course doesn't love). Here's a video that I also took tonight of Evan and Caitlin interacting. This is pretty typical. Evan is usually upset at first that she's playing with his toys (hence the "No, Mine" and trying to take it away). However, after a little while, he usually is sweet and will sort of play with her. Not always, but it's so cute when he does. And then he gets bored and moves onto something else.
You'll also notice in the video that Caitlin is sticking out her tongue! She has recently started doing this a lot. It's kind of funny. I'm not sure why she all of a sudden does it all the time, but maybe because she is SUPER stuffy at the moment and it helps her breathe?? Who knows. I just think it's funny and cute so pay attention and see if you notice too!
I know I haven't blogged much lately so apologies. I have been wanting to post for awhile now about Caitlin crawling. She started crawling (well, the date we are officially counting) on the day of her baptism which was September 25th (great day, I know). Anyway, that's when we really saw her actually move towards objects with some purpose. I always find it's hard to really pinpoint one day when they reach some milestone. Like smiling for instance... of course they smile when they are days old at times but that's not necessarily the first time they smile AT you. So, how do you know when they are smiling at your instead of just have gas? I think you just pick some arbitrary day when they do it and say that's it. Anyway, sorry for the tangent... back to crawling.
Here's a video of her "first" attempt at crawling on the day of her baptism:
And here are two videos of her crawling from tonight... she can totally motor! And it's been this way for a few weeks now. I swear, about a week after the baptism, she was scooting all over the place. She went from 0 to 60 in no time! She loves to crawl to toys, particularly Evan's toys like his cars. So, I'm not too sure HE is glad she's crawling... we hear a lot more of the, "No, mine!" phrase these days.
She hasn't mastered crawling on all fours... still doing an army crawl with some knee action. But I will find her on all fours occasionally with a little bit of revving action sometimes too. I don't think it will be long before she is crawling for real. Watch out Evan!
Ever since I had Evan, I have been wanting to take him to a pumpkin patch to snap those cute pictures I always see of other kids. So, a few Mommy friends and I planned a trip this past Friday to Sweet Berry Farms. It's about an hour away so kind of a drive but well worth it. We had so much fun. Aunt Michelle joined us and boy was she a life saver!! It's so much easier to take two kids anywhere if there's help, and she is fantastic help!
They have a great setup for picture taking and it not being a weekend was a big bonus as far as how crowded it was. I was hoping to get some super cute shots of the two kids but let's just say I didn't have the most cooperative bunch. Evan was much more interested in running around with Avery than even thinking of sitting still for a photograph. Caitlin was much more interested in eating the grass than looking at the camera. So, my dreams of those cute pumpkin pictures of the two kids is kaput. I never did get a shot of the two of them together. Still, I got a few that I like so I'm posting those. And even if I didn't get those great pics I was hoping for, the kids had a blast. We petted some goats and went on a cool hayride and bought some pumpkins and enjoyed spending time with the other moms and kids. Evan and Avery were like two peas in a pod the whole day. He really loves hanging out with her. The entire ride there he kept asking, "Where's Avery? I want to see Avery!". And later that day, we headed to the Blankenships for a BBQ with friends. Again, the two of them were inseparable. It's cute to see how much he enjoys playing with another friend. Overall, it was a wonderful day!!
Evan and Avery posing
Caitlin with the pumpkins
Evan chasing Avery - this was what he did for most of the picture taking
Evan riding the pumpkins in a boat
Evan pulling Avery in the boat
Avery pulling Evan in the boat
Riding the tractor - now this WAS one shot I could get him to sit still for... the problem was getting him OFF the tractor
Caitlin and I - finally a cute picture!
Driving the boat of pumpkins - with Avery of course
Mama and Evan
The only pic I got of them together
Evan talking to the goat
Aunt Shell and Evan petting the goat
HAYRIDES ARE SO COOL!
Look, a neigh-neigh!
The wee ones on the hay ride
That was an awesome hayride with Aunt Shell! Probably the best picture of Evan from the entire day. I think he had fun.
Caitlin has been sitting up more and more in her baby tub so we thought we would finally try the DOUBLE BATH in the real bath tub! By that I mean having Evan and Caitlin do bath time together. It's a little bit of a risk because Evan can be kind of crazy in the bath tub sometimes. But, we thought it could be fun too (and easier on us for sure if it went well).
Overall, it went okay. The first attmept, Evan poured water on Caitlin's head which she didn't love so it started out on a bad note and didn't get much better. The second time however was great. Caitlin enjoyed it, and Evan didn't pour any water on her head. They both enjoyed splashing in the tub and getting mommy very wet in the process. We still have to be pretty careful with them together but it was fun to watch them interact. We probably won't do this every night right now, but it's nice to know that we can if needed.
On Sunday, we had to drive to San Antonio to take Marie/Alan/Moira to the airport. So, I figured why not make a day of it and do something fun while we are there! We decided on the San Antonio Zoo. I've never been but have had quite a few friends go with their kids. And we didn't have too much time so we wanted something close to the airport that also wasn't too expensive. We read about it on the drive down and it sounded really neat for toddlers.
All of us at the zoo
Evan walking with Baba and Oma
Alan and Moira checking out some animals
Evan at the entrance to the toddler area
The Mackintosh Family
Evan and Moira looking at the fish - Evan LOVED this exhibit and watching the fish. I mean, major tears and tantrum when we tried to go onto something else.
Oma and Caitlin - looks like she's enjoying it!
Evan also enjoyed this little stream in the toddler area - he got his shoes very wet
Fishing in the toddler area
Caitlin and the prairie dog
Evan in the prairie dog tunnel
Hello?
Overall, a really fun trip! The zoo is right by this park that looked really nice. It had a cool train that the kids could ride, but we didn't have time. I think we'll have to go back when we can stay a little longer as I know Evan would have loved the train. And maybe Caitlin will enjoy it more in the future. That's it for the baptism weekend. It was a lot of fun and we loved having everyone here to visit. Please come back anytime!
I am mom to 3 kids: Evan, Caitlin, and Ryan. I am now contracting at Samsung after over 15 years at Freescale/NXP. It's a new adventure for sure. My husband Bryce and I have been married for 13 years almost. We are both from the midwest originally but have convinced most of our family to move to Austin!
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