Family Fun

On Saturday, we visited Conner Prairie, an outside living history museum based on life in the 1800's. The museum is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first successful air mail flight with a special hot air balloon ride. The balloon stays tethered and rises 387 feet above Conner Prairie. Here are the boys and I before our ride.

Looking up at the balloon ride before our turn...I'm getting nervous at this point, but I was brave for my boys.

On the way up...

We stayed at the highest point for 10-15 minutes. It was a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed the ride. From the top...

The boys taking a canoe ride in the Lenape village

Caden drilling holes in a board, 1800's Lenape-style

The boys played some baseball in the field behind the schoolhouse

Cole in the outfield

Caden crossing home plate

The boys in the schoolhouse

Cole modeling a coonskin hat
We had a great time at Conner Prairie. Our visit produced a lot of questions from Caden. The differences between then and now that seemed to amaze Caden the most--schoolhouses and outhouses.

On Sunday, we enjoyed a morning of games and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's. ALL of my boys love Chuck E. Cheese's. It is very easy entertainment.


After Chuck E. Cheese's, we went to Kiln Creations in Broad Ripple to paint some pottery as a present for our 9th wedding anniversary. Curt is so good at matching up anniversary presents/activities with the recommended gift (9 is pottery). Caden painted a baseball, and Cole painted a puppy. Curt and I painted an Indy memory platter with the boys' handprints in the middle. Our creations will be ready next week. We're excited to see the final products!

Cole's First Day of Preschool

Cole's turn...Today, Cole started preschool at Our Shepherd Lutheran. He will go to preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:15-11:30. We are still in disbelief that both of our boys go to school now. It just doesn't seem possible!

Our preschooler...

Showing off his Batman backpack

Despite Cole's claims that he would NEVER go to preschool, he was ready today.

I think Caden's happy reports helped convince Cole that school is the place to be.

Thankfully, Cole had no problems with drop-off this morning. He gave me a kiss and said good-bye without any hesitation. His first stop was the Play-Doh.

His second stop was the animal basket.

And then I left while he happily played with the figures in the dollhouse.

Here is Cole waiting to be dismissed by his teacher, Mrs. Longworth. I was impressed that Cole waited for his name to be called even though he saw me.

Cole's first day seems to have been a success! He was full of smiles when I picked him up. His favorite parts of the day: playing on the playground, eating Mrs. Longworth's favorite snack, listening to a story about Jesus, and doing something with glitter. We celebrated with a lunch date at his restaurant of choice, McDonald's (which was also Caden's choice yesterday, of course). Both boys were exhausted tonight! Caden is ready to go back tomorrow, and hopefully Cole will be excited to go back on Tuesday.

Caden's First Day of Kindergarten

Caden started kindergarten today. Can you believe it??? We can't! He was beyond excited and has been counting down the days.

The boys will be attending Our Shepherd Lutheran School this year. We are not Lutheran and neither of us grew up in parochial schools, but the school staff and schedule matched what we were looking for in a school. Caden will go to kindergarten on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:15-3:30 and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:15-11:45.

Our kindergartener...


Here are the boys patiently waiting for the principal to open the doors.

"You can leave now, Mom. I'm READY for kindergarten." Yes, I am now "Mom," and I have been since we moved to Indy. My new name has even rubbed off on Cole some. :(

Just like with preschool, I had to ask Caden for a good-bye hug/kiss, then he walked into his classroom, and he did not look back. He just loves school, and he is very ready for kindergarten and Indy friends. No tears were shed. I admit to tearing up a bit, but I had to put on a brave face for Cole who will be starting preschool tomorrow. Since a long good-bye was not necessary for Caden, he was the first one in the classroom. His teacher, Mrs. Cronauer is on the side of this picture.

Caden is next to the door, waiting to be dismissed.

First day was a huge success! Caden said his favorite parts of the day were circle time, singing songs in chapel, and recess. Also, he was happy that he made it across the monkey bars and met some new friends.

As we were leaving, Caden said, "I wish I had a time machine, so I could go back in time and do it all over again." He was thrilled that he gets to go back tomorrow! So big! Where did the time go?

Stay tuned to see how Cole's first day of preschool goes tomorrow.

Brickyard 400

As Indy "tourists" for a year, we are trying to experience everything Indy, including car racing. We are not true racing fans, but we had a great time at the Brickyard 400 a couple weekends ago. We had no concept of how large (LOTS of walking involved), crowded (and this was a light year), and LOUD the Indianapolis Motor Speedway really is.

The boys, dressed in their Lightning McQueen gear, were excited for the race. They enjoyed seeing the inspiration for one of their favorite movies, "Cars."

Before the race started, we toured the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Caden posed in front of several race cars, but I selected just a few to post.
Cole was already worn out from walking (i.e., being carried on Curt's shoulders or my hip) to the museum, and the race hadn't even started yet.
Caden with a pace car

Papa, Nana, the boys , and me waiting for the race to begin
Cole was NOT a fan of the earplugs, but they were an absolute must. He ignores us enough without a true hearing deficit.

A couple photos of the race--Our seats were on the fourth turn (for those of you who are race fans)


Another fun Indy adventure!

Preview: The next post will involve a very excited kindergartener and a not-so-sure (at least, at this time) preschooler. Can you believe it?! We can't!

Pirate Sand Adventure

On Tuesday, the boys and I went to Garfield Park to check out their special pirate-themed sand sculpture exhibit. Artists began working last weekend, and they will continue working on their sculptures until the middle of August. Since we visited early in the project, only the very top of a pirate ship and part of Tiki Island is completed. The artists on the left explained that their sculpture (when complete) will be a giant sea monster attacking pirates and their ship. The sculpture on the right will be a pirate ship. Quite impressive!

Sand boxes were set up around the sculptures. The boys had a great time playing in the sand and digging for gold. Two park employees taught the boys the proper technique for building a sand castle.
After playing in the sand and sun, we went inside to "paint" with sand.
In August, I hope to take the boys back to the sculptures, so they can see the completed creations.

Weekend with Friends

Last weekend, the Baima family visited for three days. The boys were super excited for their first sleep over with friends. We had such a fun time together and cannot wait to see them again, whether it is in Indy or Springfield.

We spent our first full day together at the zoo after breakfast at Flap Jack's. I borrowed this first photo from Kate. I'm not sure what was so funny, but obviously Caden found it hilarious.
Caden waiting for the others to finish with sunscreen and bathroom duties
It is really hard to get four excited kids in the same photo. Here are their backs while they watch the penguins swim.
Ethan, Olivia, and Caden feeding the ducks and watching the lemurs
Seeing how tall they are compared to the different types of ponies and horses
Caden riding Scarlet
Cole went on his first pony ride. He took a turn on Ginger with my supervision.
Cole taking a rest on Curt's shoulders during a talk about kimodo dragons
It has been an extremely cool July for the most part. The kids still insisted on some time at the splash park. Here are Caden, Cole, and Ethan trying to warm up.

Day two took us to the Children's Museum. I borrowed this photo from Kate too. Here are the kids posing with Jabba the Hutt and Ventress in the Star Wars area.
Ethan and Cole putting on a dinosaur puppet show. I think Olivia and Caden might be kneeling down in the spirit of a real puppet show, but the little guys didn't follow along with that suggestion.
Caden was so happy to spend some time with Olivia. Caden and Olivia taking a break at the ice cream shop.
Caden on the carousel
Cole flashing a desperate "CHEESE" on the carousel
Cole is following in his brother's footsteps with a love of Legos. Right now, he has fun building "Wipeout" (yes, the TV show) courses.
We had a fun weekend showing the Baima family two of our favorite Indy attractions. Thanks for making the trip!