Indianapolis Road Trip

Yesterday the kids and I took a road trip to Indy for the day.  Our travel mates the Collins family were visiting from Texas, and we took the opportunity to see them while they were close by!  It was such a great visit and we had a wonderful day at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.  I’m going to warn you – I have so many pictures so this post will be long!

We started out seeing the Dinosaur exhibit, and most of the kids dressed up like dinos.  This was our first photo opp. for the girls – who haven’t seen each other in four years.  They were fast friends.  All four year olds just want to play!

They had several exhibits at the museum. Barbie, Star Wars, and the 50th Anniversary of Etch A Sketch.  It was a really cool place to visit with so many fun activities for the kids to learn.

Max was thrilled with the Star Wars exhibit (and not so thrilled with the Elmo/Big Bird movie about the stars – ha!)

A carousel ride made Lena and Mia happy!

After a long afternoon, we took a final picture of the kids(minus Kate who was tired).  L-R   Mia, Megan, Max, Lena, Edith, and Joe

We stayed for another hour exploring the museum and then on the way home stopped at President Benjamin Harrison’s house to take a picture.  Max had done a report on him this year, and I encouraged him to stop and see where he lived.  I think he was glad we stopped. It was a cute little house in Downtown Indy – not in the best neighborhood today, but it was very well preserved from the outside. 

All in all it was a great day – thanks Collins family!

The Trip Box

In a few weeks, we will be meeting up with our China travel group.  We haven’t seen each other in almost 4 years, since leaving the China airport.  We are going to have such a great time seeing everyone who can come (and we will MISS those who can’t!!). 

We received our “trip box” yesterday with goodies for Mia.  This box has been to almost all of the girls, and each sent information about themselves along with gifts for the next girl.  It has been a great way for the girls to get to know each other before they actually meet!

Mia was so serious opening each gift from Autumn.  Although I had to laugh when she got an Ariel kick board – she said it was for the pool and could we go right then…she said “see mommy I know how to use it!” and plopped down on the ground to show me.  This girl cracks me up.

 

Here is Mia with her “trip box” goodies. Thanks to Autumn and her family for sending it.  And now, it will soon be off to Aslan. Mia picked out each and every thing to place in the box.  And I included her information sheet.  I’ll post it here so you can learn a little more about Mia too!  We can’t wait to see our Fu sisters soon!

Last Day of School

Tuesday was our last day of school for the year. I now have a 5th grader, a 2nd grader, and not to mention my pre-K student!  I cant’ believe how much these kids have grown this year.  Max and Megan love their school and friends. Some are redistricting (and we are part of that) so I hope they still keep in touch with their friends and see them in middle school! Here is Megan with her girls (l-r Kelsey, Reese, and MJ).  These girls I have heard about all year long. I hope we see them over the summer! Max’s teacher went out on bed rest for her baby (born last Saturday!).  So, I wasn’t able to get a picture of him with her.  I don’t have one at all for the year, except what is in the yearbook.  But, Megan was in a team teaching class of 46 kids.  Here’s Mr. Burkart, and Mrs. Welsh.  They were so wonderful and both of them told me that if they could always have 10 or more “Megan’s” in their class their life would be a little easier.  It’s a small world too, as Mrs. Welsh is good friends with Coach Kevin – Megan’s Upward Basketball coach.  She’s also traveling to Haiti on a missions trip this summer.  Those kids will be blessed by her for sure!

It’s been a great year for both kids – excellent report cards and we’re on to summer.  We have 77 days until we hit school again. Hope we make the most of it!

1st Swim of the “Summer"

And “Summer” is in quotes since it was freezing on Sunday when we took the kids to the pool.  But, they wanted to go, and insisted on jumping in.  Mia is being a little more daring this year without her swim vest. Never had a lesson either. But, she is staying where she can touch, so that is good.

Megan is also being more daring – she even went off the high dive!  Last year, it took most of the summer to go down the slide!  She will have a great summer keeping up with Max.  And where is a picture of Max you ask?? Well he’s off around the pool playing and I couldn’t keep track of him.  The beauty of a tween.

Super Games

Last Friday was Super Games at the big kids school. Mia and I went to hang out with Megan and her 1st grade (soon to be 2nd grade ) class.  She had a blast.  Lots of fun with water, rides, and spending time playing field games.  If the kids go to their new school next year, then they don’t have Super Games.  So it was their last year to enjoy it.  After the games, Mia and I ate lunch with Max and his best friend Nathan.  He was thrilled I at least took some time with him too :)  His games weren’t until the afternoon, and Mia needed a nap!

Memorial Day Parade

On Memorial day, Max’s cub scout troop was in the City of Powell Memorial Day parade.  Every year this is a big event. Most people come out and throw candy everywhere, the kids collect it in bags and eat a few treats while watching the parade.  Of course there are Veteran’s and we celebrate being an American.  The most important thing of all!

This year, it rained and I don’t mean sprinkles.  We debated on going at all, as there was lightning, thunder, pouring down rain.  Mia broke out her Ladybug raincoat.  My secret pal from when we were waiting for referral sent it to me – and it just now fits!

Max rode this year, and threw out candy to his sisters.  (He’s in the black coat toward the front of the trailer).  Although it was raining, he had a lot of fun throwing the candy to everyone!

And here we are – under a tree with a golf umbrella.  Megan doesn’t even have a rain coat so she wore a jacket of mine (and I know – bad mom).  It was fun even in the rain. I’m glad we went!

Pre-School’s Out!

I have one happy camper. She finished her last day of preschool last Friday.  Mia has had such a wonderful year. I will miss her teachers – they were amazing with her.  I can’t believe I didn’t take one picture of her last day with them. Oh well, there is another year! Next year, Mia will be in a 4 day class. My baby is growing up.  I have high hopes for the summer. One – to learn all of her ABC’s and numbers. She knows most of them, but struggles like most 4 year olds to sit still long enough to learn.  She will be swimming a ton, riding her new bike, and can’t wait to visit her Fu sisters at Disney in a few short weeks!   She is already trying to understand that we haven’t seen them since they were babies, but they are “4 like me, right Momma?”.  Mia is going to have a great summer!