Aaaahhh! Reading outside on a blanket
(story about the blanket at the bottom of this post) ... in the beautiful Spring weather. Does it get any better than that? There was actually a slight chill in the air when this picture was taken (late morning - before lunch), but the sun was beating down ... and seriously, nothing can tear Abby away from a good Magic Treehouse book! Now, her brother on the other hand ...
The two of them were so enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather today, I hated to pull them inside after lunch. But, we were headed to a birthday party for one of Tyler's friends. The kids had a blast of course (Zoinks!), but I wish it had been outside so we could have enjoyed the sunshine and flowers (they are all starting to bloom). Speaking of flowers, Ms. Kim, the cooking teacher at Advent, sent home yet
another set of materials for a cute food craft (thanks Kim!). This is what Tyler and his buddies made in her class last week, and since Kim knows how much Abby and Tyler enjoy the projects, she made sure extras came home. It's called "Planter's Pudding in a Pot" (but you're seeing them minus the pot). You're actually supposed to put everything in one of those flat-bottomed ice cream cones, but when I looked in the pantry, I was out of them. Oh well ... still VERY cute, AND tasty!
Here's what you do ... it's super easy. Plant the "seeds" (white chocolate chips ... or any kind of candy pieces, raisins, etc.) in the pudding. If you had the ice cream cones, the seeds would go in first, then you put the pudding in on top. But, we just "buried" them in the prepared pudding cup with our "shovels" (spoons). Funny thing - when we were making these, I kept saying things like, "Lick your spoon" or "Don't drop your spoon," and every time, Tyler would correct me: "Shovel! Mommy! They are shovels!"
Add some "top soil" - or as Ty calls it "the dry dirt" - on top. This is a quarter of a chocolate graham cracker, which each child gets to mash him/herself in a zipped bag.
Insert one juicy "worm" (the gummy variety), then top it all off with a "flower" made of two simple, flower-shaped cookies, stuck together on a popsicle stick with some colored icing.
Yes, I let them eat these right before we went to a party, where I KNEW there would be cake! But, I also knew that the ingredients would be history if I left them on the counter any longer. Dennis and I are chocolate lovers, and those white chocolate chips were calling my name!
Some history on the Bandana Blanket the kids are sitting on above: I just LOVE this blanket, so I keep it in my car and look for every opportunity to enjoy it. Afterall, it IS one of a kind. The bandanas belonged to my grandfather (Papa ... my Mom's father, Nanny's husband), who was a huge fan of bandanas. He kept one in his pocket all the time ... in his "dungarees!" Well, when he passed away in 1996, Nanny gave his bandanas to a neighbor or friend (?), and she brought them back (surprise!) in quilt form. I am honored to have this blanket ... a wonderful memory of my Papa.
Tyler LOVED working the conveyor belts at this mini-produce sorter. There has to be a better name for this agriculture-themed exhibit, but I sure can't think of it. My lack of farm knowledge is showing!
And all of us enjoyed the giant bubble wands ... Grandma could have spent all day in there!
I was more than slightly grossed out (but appreciative ... because they got a hoot out of it) that Dennis put his face on these pins that zillions of little hands touch every day! But it was fun to see the impression he made!
Making rockets (then launching them) was a BLAST!
And, try as we might ... we never did get our pretend eggs wrapped well enough to keep them from cracking when dropped from this egg-drop machine. 
It was so cool to see Abby pull nuggets of knowledge from kindergarten (forces, astronomy, space, etc.) out of her brain and see them in action. This exhibit on hydraulic energy was especially cool ... 
And really, you haven't lived until you've laughed at your husband or mother-in-law's expense as they try using the green screen and "doing the weather!" So funny! Don't worry, I got up there and Martha got to laugh at me too. I have a new appreciation for our local weatherman! Dennis won't be taking his job anytime soon.
Oh - name suggestions are welcome for this little guy. Abby has officially voted for "Caleb" - Martha suggested "Calvin" (err ... Cow-vin?), but Tyler's is the best: "Calf-rine," although I do believe he was trying to say "Katherine." Guess no one told him the cow is a boy! Moving on ... pay no attention to the "girl shoes" Tyler is wearing in this shot! It was rough for a minute, but we convinced him to wear these perfectly-sized "farm shoes" (left by Abby from a previous visit a couple years ago) by telling him the flowers on the buckles were "stars!" Nevermind the Mary Jane style ... they're BLUE for goodness sakes, right!?!
After romping in the hay, the kids said "hi" to the sheep and they *tried* to feed the bulls some corn. Most of the animals take one look at the kids and head the other way. I can only imagine they've gotten wind of the whining and bickering that was happening inside the house earlier (when did our kids become official siblings? 'Cause they sure are acting like it)!
Finally, we made it to Des Moines, where the grandparents were there to greet us with hugs and smiles! 
Abby and Tyler were anxious to get to the farm to see the animals, but we took our time, stopping in Indianola to see Great-Gram (Martha's mother) on the way. Don't worry ... it's Monday morning now, and both children have already been out to the barnyard to visit the cows and sheep. Pictures to come!
SCARY! I wouldn't want that firefighter helping ME!
That's all we've been hearing about for the past few days. These children (especially Tyler) are SO excited about flying today. In fact, we've had to warn them that the pilot CAN turn the plane "right back around" if they exhibit the kind of excitement they've been showing this morning around the house. Anyway, after hearing about "da plane" for the past few days ("How many more sleeps left now Mom?"), I decided to Google this Fantasy Island image. Will we be visiting a tropical location, as shown in the picture above? Well, not exactly. I think Martha and Bill would even agree that Iowa is not very tropical! But, we are all looking forward to spending Spring Break catching up with the Iowa Schnittkers (and the Iowa Kellogg!). It's been way too long!
You select the plates you want, as well as anything else that passes by: wasabi, fresh ginger, eel sauce ... you name it! You can also order off the menu. So fun! I tried to take a couple more pictures but Mom said she was getting embarrased. Doesn't she know my blog readers depend on me for fresh content? You'll have to settle for this shot of Linda using chopsticks ... so exciting!
But THIS picture ... well, that's just our goofy Mr. T. Gotta love him and his funny expressions.
We don't buy OJ regularly, and if we do, it's the Publix variety! But, I recently discovered the plugs on containers of egg substitute (Publix EggStirs) and on my bottles of coffee creamer (Coffeemate Liquid Fat Free Vanilla). Keep an eye out for others and DO let me know. The plugs fit great on fingers (adult OR child!) ...
Now, again ... I STOLE this idea, as well as the photos. But those who know me well probably knew that. When have my nails EVER been as long as the woman in the middle picture!?! Anyway, I think these rings would be an easy craft for Abby's fairy-themed birthday party, don't you? So ... drink up people!
We are celebrating Spring here! Yesterday, Abby's friend, Lucy, came over to play ... and we made a flower-inspired snack. A variety fruit (dried apricots, fresh strawberries, and grapes) plus sunflower seeds (for the less picky kindergarteners!) top a rice cake spread with icing, cream cheese or yogurt. It's not hard to guess which spread they chose! 
Saturday morning was spent in SouthWood, where the kids (and I do mean Abby, Tyler AND Dennis!) and I were able to get up close and personal with a dozen or so BIG vehicles and machines. They call it "Wheels That Work" ... genius! And I have to say, it was a hit with this crew! The prospect of sitting in and on all of this heavy machinery "worked" the kids up into a frenzy! There was construction equipment and a few city utility and landscaping vehicles, as well as a garbage truck, school bus, ambulance, fire truck, race car, limo, police car, ice cream truck, bomb squad vehicle ... and even a helipcopter, which we got to see land, tour, and then take off again!
