An Afternoon At the Museum

For Christmas, Uncle Sergio & Auntie Kyla got our family a membership to the children's science museum here in Columbus, known as COSI.  What a unique and generous gift to give to a family...they also gave my other brother a membership to a new children's museum in Dallas.

At the Gadgets area of the museum Gaby is the one who most would enjoy this section for obvious reasons.  He used tools to build something and to destroy take things apart, while Christian and Jojo shot baskets.  Around the corner I was able to view videos on factories.  I saw how ice cream was made and other interesting processes.

In the huge Little Kidspace there are many places to climb and toys to build.  This area is great for the parents to relax while the kids run around in a safe enclosed place, and older kids can hang out and play games in a different space so they don't get mixed up with the little ones running around.  Jojo found the trains, so we were here for awhile.

The Ocean area waterfalls were fun for the kids who ended up getting soaked when they tried to connect different pipes to get the water flowing in certain directions.

Jojo was determined to wait in line so he could go inside this little yellow submarine.

There is also another area where you can experience the motions and sounds of a different submarine as it crawls along the ocean floor viewed through the windows.  My stomach couldn't take it so I could only stay for a little while...it's that real. Dragging Jojo out to see the other exhibits was difficult.

Here Jojo takes command of the Dora the Explorer spaceship. 

The inner courtyard has a little house.  I'm fascinated by these tiny spaces, so much so that I have a link to the right for the Tiny House blog.  The Life Exhibit was also one of my favorites. One day we soon we will visit the giant movie theatre; Gaby wants to see Toronado Alley. Should be a blast, as long as the seats don't move while we watch the movie!

"Diversity Is..."

Christian's picture was chosen recently for his grade group at school for the PTA art show, and the theme is "Diversity Is..." I wonder how diversity was explained to his class. In his picture it shows Christian fishing with Mike and his brothers.  I especially like the eagle and the curly clouds. We were allowed to vote for his picture and we'll see if it gets selected to the next level.

End of 2011 Holidays

Just a couple minutes before I captured this photo, the cattle were lined up in perfect formation just behind that fence while Christian jumped and danced wildly.  I guess when the animals realized they were not going to be fed, they lost interest and mozied off.  I photographed Christian still doing the Cow Dance while Gaby and Jojo look on. 

The past couple of months were busy for all of us.  We spent Thanksgiving with Nana and Papa in Tennessee. First we spent that day with Papa's parents and family and ate too much.  Then we saw Aunt Linda, Memaw Lou and Poppy Clo and we ate too much.  Then Nana had her family over on another day and we ate too much.  It was a fun week!

 Christmas Parade

There's always something going on within walking distance.  One night there was a Christmas parade and caroling to kick off the season.

MIKE'S BIRTHDAY

Grandpa Kenny, Karen and Uncle Ryan came for a nice visit to celebrate Mike's birthday. We're glad Ryan got to come before he leaves for the Marines this spring! 

CHRISTMAS IN NEW MEXICO

It was time for another road trip and we headed to NM.  We had a great drive until we reached Tucumcari and had to stop for a couple hours before they opened the highway because of snow into Albuquerque.

Grandma, Aunt Patsy and Aunt Tonie (retired Sr. Marie Evelyn) came for Christmas Eve dinner.  While the adults were eating in the dining room, Jojo was playing with a music box and came to tell Grampa his frustration.

Jojo:  "Gwampa, I was playing with the music box and it bwoke and I said, 'Dammit, I have to fix it!'"

Everyone at the table paused with forks in midair.  Aunt Patsy said it's the first time she's seen both Mike and I with red faces of embarrassment.  We all started to laugh, but Grandpa got the biggest kick out of it.  Yaya said, "I think the word you're looking for is 'darn it'."  Grampa commented, "He is home with Mama most of the day...."  Mike said he must've learned it in 'homeschool...' and so on. 

Trader Joe-Joe's cookies for Jojo

The kids got to open their presents after dinner and they received nice toys.  Nana and Papa mailed them the funniest laughing dog that actually rolls and twists around giggling, especially when you try to find the off switch on its belly!

Gaby woke us up at 7:00 am the next morning to see what Santa brought for each of them.  They seemed pleased with their scooters, which was a relief.

That evening we all went to Tanya and Darren's for dinner and we had our white elephant gift exchange.  There were lots of screaming kids having fun and a good time was had by all.  Wish I had taken more pictures!

COUSINS COME FOR A VISIT

Daniela has lost her two front teeth and now has a cute lisp when she speaks.
Wah! I didn't get a picture of our nephew Anthony.

Simone's preschool photo (3 years old)

Jaime, Jeanne, Daniela and Anthony came to visit for the week.  One afternoon, we had a girl's lunch with Yaya, Jeanne, Daniela and I.  It was so nice to spend time with my little niece.  The boys also had a boy's lunch with Grampa.

We also got to see our friends another evening when we had them over.  There were still a couple people I didn't have a chance to see, but next summer I'll hopefully have a longer visit.  I also missed seeing my brother Sergio, Kyla and my darling niece, Simone.  We may get to see them next summer, too.

And then it was time to leave the beautiful blue skies of NM and head back east.  We left on New Year's Eve and were able to get past Tulsa by early evening so the boys would have time for a swim.  On the way to NM, we had to stop at an urgent care in Tulsa because Gaby had an ear infection (Jojo already had one a few days prior and was on antibiotics).  We had a good trip with our good travelers, even without our dvd player which no longer works. 

Here are a few things I'm thankful for:

1.  Potty-trained (almost 100%) boys

2.  Good family and friends

3.  A nice place to live

4.  Safe road trips

5.  My mom's health recovery

6.  Anti-anxiety pills

7.  My boys, my boys, my boys

A few things I hope for 2012:

1.  Get accepted to graduate program

2.  Freelance writing opportunities

3.  Move somewhere soon

4.  Settle somewhere soon

5.  Learn from my mistakes

6.  Be a better person

7.  Pray more, love more, hope more, despair less

Happy New Year!