Earth Day Playdate

We have a great neighborhood with lots of good kids. With the help of my friend Emily we put together a Earthday Playdate. We had the kids make door signs saying, "Don't be a litter bug." They got to use cute bug stickers. Then we broke up in groups and made up cheers. They were so cute and creative.
We then had our snack of "dirt cake" with gummi worms. We finished the whole thing off with a neighborhood cleanup. We armed the kids with rubber gloves and garbage bags. Between them all, they picked up over 300 pieces of garbage. They worked so hard helping each other. We regrouped at the end for an "award ceremony" were we handed out stickers and cheered for each childs efforts. Good Job Kiddo's. Our neighborhood looks a little more "green."

SEE Science Center (Manchester, NH)

It's Spring Break! So in an attempt to keep from pulling my hair out, I have been looking for fun stuff for the kids to do. On Tuesday, since Mike was home, and my dear friend Emily said she would watch the kids I tend, we were able to go to a science center in Manchester. It's similar to the discovery center in Boise, ID. The difference is it's spread out more and housed in the most amazing building. It's one of the many modern day businesses that occupy one of the "Old Mill" buildings (there are several).

This is the moon walk demonstration. Miles was our only participant.

Guess that smell?

Miles was in Heaven with the over-3-million Lego display. Can you believe it! It's an exact replica of the Mill buildings and life around them when they were in their prime. The mill created 15,600 jobs for the town.
The pictures just do not do it justice, it was amazing. Miles was a little disappointed that no Star Wars Lego figures made it into the display. Oh and there is a "real" river running through it, with a working train. The train has a camera on the front so you get a close up view of the Legos.

Potty Training

Ell is doing so great! Caleigh made her a chart (her idea) and Elliot filled it with 13 stickers yesterday. After a week of practicing with pull-ups, we switched to "big girl" panties. I have even gone on a few outings. Today I carted the portable toilet seat with us on our walk. Luckily she didn't need it, I think the thought of peeing in the woods motivated her to learn to "hold it." Don't blame her on that one.

I am really so proud of her, and me (it only took 3 kids to make me patient about potty training.) I guess when you've already seen it all, one more mess doesn't excite you anymore.

Oh, and Yes, we're still singing our "potty song."

Happy Easter Everyone

Can you believe I let Easter come and go with only a few pictures. And NONE of them were of my cute kids. Sorry, I planned out their outfit for weeks and have been scoring on good deals. They all looked lovely in browns and pinks. So just try to picture it...I'll try to snap a few photo's next Sunday.

Potty Training..."Do you need to go Pee-Pee?"

Elliot is in full fledge potty training mode. It's amazing how one thing consumes your whole life. Every outting has to be planned around potty time and we visit bathrooms I would never consider using myself (walmart?) So wish us luck and hopefully she will be a "big girl" by the end of the month. My favorite moment was this morning..."Elliot you need to go pee-pee like a big girl."
Her loud reply..."Elliot is NOT a big girl."

Day 5, 6, and 7

Our final days we dyed easter eggs, shopped, talked, ate, laundry, and enjoyed having grandma and grandpa around. Thanks Mom and Dad for coming and spoiling all of us. We can't wait till we can see you again.

Day 4- "The Rocks"

A month before my parents arrived I received my Family Fun Mag. in the mail. It had a article about "the Rocks" and maple sugaring. And the best part...it was in New Hampshire. I couldn't believe when I read the only maple sugaring tours would be in March and we would get to take my Mom and Dad to one of them.

The drive was beautiful and "the Rocks" was a charming place with old barns and lots of history. In December you can go and buy a Christmas tree there and they hold other events throughout the year. The weather was great, just a little mud. But as we learned "mud season is great for maple sugaring."
We started the tour with a horse drawn carriage, then we learned all the in's and out's of modern maple sugaring. We then watched a great video about the history of maple sugaring, then learned how to identify a sugar maple tree. The next part was interactive...tapping a tree. I got to hang the bucket up and each of the kids got to turn the drill (they use a regular drill for the real work). The best part was the treat at the end. Homemade donuts and waffles dipped in maple syrup, followed up with Sour Pickles to balance out the sweetness. Grandpa and Elliot think drinking the syrup is much better than dipping.

Boston Day 3

Day three took us to Boston, MA. I love Quincy market, it houses the International Food Court. There are over 35 different restaurants. We all got something different. Mom and Dad treated us all to the Boston Aquarium. It is amazing there is so much to see and do. The kids favorites were the "Jellies" and I loved seeing the giant sea turtles. It was such a treat, Thanks Mom and Dad.

Day 2

Day two- we headed to Salem, MA. We decided to try the Witch Museum, but after five minutes into the presentation, the kids were all climbing our laps, so we walked out and got our money back. They really should tell you this is NOT for children under 13 (in my opinion). Really, they just do any amazing job with the life size scenes and music.
We ended up walking down to the water looking in shops as we went. It's such a fun place with spooky stores around every corner. The weather was a little chilly but we warmed up with food at "Derby Deli" YUM. It was a good day.

G and G Head Visit-Day 1

We had a great visit from my parents this past week. They flew in late Tuesday night so the fun didn't start until Wed. We pack each day with fun New England things. Wed. we took them to our favorite country store "Calef's." We stocked up on Maple creme cookies, maple candy, and maple syrup to last us the week. Then we took them over to an amazing Christmas store. I know you are all thinking "Christmas Store? in March?" It's more of an experience than it is a store. The kids love it, and we loved showing it off.