Children's Museum 2015

Since it's such a hike now, we only seem to make it to the Children's Museum downtown once a year. Here was the post from last year:

http://findingfinley.blogspot.com/search?q=children's+museum

This year we went and it really felt like the kids were leading me around instead of the opposite.  Awesome! We started at the top with the construction zone and the bobcats and then slowly worked our way down.

Finley showed Dags just what to do!

 And she loved it!

But in the grocery store, Dagny took the lead!

In the pretend kindergarten classroom, we stubbled into Finley's dream -- a spaced themed day!

 He was totally immersed in all the little figures.

 Then he hopped into a space suit.

 Dagny loves nearly everything Finley does and space shuttles are no exception.

 The last exhibit I took photos of was a temporary one that was all boxes. Different shapes and sizes all taped up with colorful duct tape. Very cool and the kids couldn't wait to dive in.

Fun can indeed be simple :) Wonder if we'll go again in 2016...stay tuned!

Aquarium 2015

We visited the aquarium back in April and the T ride itself was a highlight! It was customer appreciation day for the MBTA so we all rode for free :)

 Dagny wanted to sit all her by herself and looked many years older than her 2.

 We met up with our friend Pete who works there (and got us in for free!) and then made our way to the top of the giant tank.

 Dagny (and not Finley) enjoyed the touch tank.

We saw penguins, lobsters, string rays, seahorses, lion fish, and more.  The kids enjoyed the seals and sea lions in the newest portion of the aquarium that was built years back by Dan's construction company!

 Since we'd ridden the T for free and gotten into the aquarium for free -- we splurged at the gift shop!

 Then it was back onto the T where Finley decided he would prefer to stand rather than sit.  He was all business :)

 While Dagny soared her new pink penguin all around!

Hard to believe that Finley was ever this small at his first trip to the aquarium!

http://findingfinley.blogspot.com/2010/08/fish-or-foe.html

Shiver Me Timbers!

Back in April, we got eight dining room chairs from IKEA and ended with A LOT of cardboard boxes. Since I was home on break, I put my kindergarten and pinterest chops to work and built two pirate ships for my favorite first mates.  When they woke up from their naps and headed down to the basement, they were thrilled!! These ships came complete with treasure chests (shoe boxes taped in the back corner), steering wheels (paper plates) and even their own jolly roger flags.  Dagny wanted hers to have a smile while Finley chose a more serious expression for his.

 After loading up their ships and heading out to sea, Finley requested cannons on his ship.  Good thing I always say toilet paper and paper towel rolls!

Dagny Finishes Parent and Tot

Dagny really enjoyed our Parent and Tot gymnastics over the winter and through the spring.  She really improved her gross motor skills, too.  Her willingness to try new things and let her teacher (Ms. Jenny) help her instead of me was particularly great to see.  She went from being too afraid to even look into the foam pit to jumping in without assistance with a HUGE smile on her face.  She can walk across a balance beam on her own, do a forward roll, jump big and tall on the trampoline, and hang upside down like a monkey.

We love her enthusiasm and hope she'll be ready to join the Tiny Tumblers on her own next winter!

Reo Road Playground

We accidentally discovered this playground in a neighboring town during a freecycling adventure and it was a hit!

The construction themed sandbox was the focal point once I finally got Dagny off the swings to join Finley on the job site.

 Dagny took her first iPhone photo (below) -- pretty awesome for a newbie!

And then there was this video...that truly made me laugh until I cried, turn up the volume!

Sprinkler Fun

I know our relatives out in CA won't appreciate this water play, but until they tighten our water usages for the summer as they always do, we've been taking advantage of the water table and sprinkler in the front yard after school.

And what else can we do when it's really hot after school, you may be asking...get ice cream sandwiches at the gas station and enjoy them on the curb in the parking lot while watching traffic go by...didn't see that coming, huh?

 Yes, Dagny prefers to wear her headband across her forehead - Richard Simmons style.

Sorry to snub Finley on the photos here, but Dagny wasn't to be trusted with a melty ice cream sandwich near moving cars so I had my eye on her for every lick!