A day at the Children's Museum

All of a sudden there was a gathering at the Children's Museum in St Paul. Kirstin's and Tana's joined us there. We started with lunch. Why is it that McDonald's seem to be every kid's favorite.

Chocolate milk is the best.

See? I did chew.

Chicken nuggets. My favorites.

Don't know what it is but it tastes good.

MMM, mmm good.

Then is was time for pictures with Ronald.

Liam was captured by the collapsing ball.

Brother and Sister in a friendly Joust.

These guys are in Lego heaven.

So were they. But these Legos were almost as big as them.

I've got to tell my brothers about these.

I'm going to let somebody else make something.

This is Sir Knight.

I got my own room.

Let me out of here.

This is Sir Wannabe Knight.

Look at this Lego man.

This guy is made out of only Legos. Wish I could have them all.

A brave maiden next to Sir Lego Knight.

I got you a flower, mom.

Bugs.

Now I can get wet with mom' s permission.

Like my makeup?

Just fillin it up.

Wow. Mom is actually letting me do this.

The new Mona Lisa.

Mom, I'm a bit embarrassed.

Our Sir Knight on his Joust.

Calvin #1

About the time everyone was learning to swim, Calvin quietly turned one year old. Well maybe not that quiet. Happy Birthday Calvin! He looks so excited, doesn't he?

That's better. I will smile when I get stuff.

Hey Grampa! You wanna play with my helicopter? Sorry, it's mine and I am playing with it.

Calvin has learned something himself. He has learned to stand up and walk by himself. And he is proud of his accomplishments.

Swimming lessons

I have a lot of catching up to do on my blog. I don't have the skillful crafty words like Tiffany. I cut out all the fluff and just tell it like it is. My skillfulness may develop now that I have some time. Last Christmas six of our grand kids received swimming lessons for a gift. So by the middle of January, they were learning to swim. They all enjoyed it immensely. Just look at those smiles. Priceless. At first they just got into the water and practiced getting their faces in the water.

Then they started using aids to stay afloat while they learned to kick.

Back floating.

Holding the side and kicking up a storm.

Joseph learned quick and was on his own a lot.Meanwhile, on the other side of town, these three amigos were learning too.For Kellan, this was just like a giant bathtub. He laid back and enjoyed the ride.

Someone was thinking it would be funny to pour water on their head. Well actually, this was how they got wet before jumping in.

Kick.

Harder!

Daddy, can we get one of these big bathtubs in our house?

This is a little Gretchen action.

Backyard get-together

Grace Michelle was born to Aaron and Ashley last March and we had a baby shower for her, even though she stayed back in Spokane. My backyard tree seemed to be the big hit with most of the grand kids. Two of my three granddaughters were here and they LOVE to have their pictures taken. They LOVE to pose. I don't know who taught them that. These are only a few of the thirteen dozen pictures I took. Gigi, "Oh my!"

Gigi and Joe. That's my brother. No, that' my sister.

I'm feeling pretty today.

Lorelei says HI!

Just posing!

We managed to get three of them in the tree at once, but sometimes they didn't want to be where they were and wanted to trade. The only way to trade was for everyone to get down and go up in a different order.

I wish for world peace.

I have heard that leopards sleep in trees like this.

It's me again.

My foot is stuck.

Calvin trying his had at climbing.

The phone booth is always a hit. Just don't get stuck in there.

Joe loves to read and he was just trying to find a comfortable spot to read but everyone kept wanting his spot.

Yep. I got to get up there and cut down that branch. Easy job.

Finally the tree was freed up so that the Dudes could have a chance at it.

Look mom. No hands!

Finally they lost interest in the tree and wanted the scooters. Batman hopped on his Batmobile.

Calvin's first driving lesson. Wait, Lorelei can't drive yet.

Gigi taking her turn.
Then Joe.
And last but not least is Kellan, having a great ride.