Why we love the Library

Why do we love the library? Let me count the ways.

1. We got free admission to the County Fair. Too many rednecks, rides are too expensive, and the animals aren't that exciting. But hey, the kids had a great time. And that's all we care about. We did ride some rides. We gathered up some change before we left and they got to ride three or four rides.
Sometimes, they don't look very excited, but then when it's all over, they said they loved it.

This last ride Charlotte didn't care for too much. She started crying towards the end. So sad.

The night we went to the Fair was Ladies Night. It has been a tradition for many years to go on that night with my mom, sisters, friends, etc. They have a drawing where they give away lots of nice prizes, as well as things that you wouldn't care for. Over the years, we have won cash, gift certificates, and my sister won a small t.v. about 10 or 15 years ago. Last night my mom was the only winner of our family. She won a gift certificate to a Comedy Club. Yay Mom!

2. The second reason we love the library? Free laser storm and bowling coupons! Today was another rainy day so we decided to try the laser storm. We went with my sister and her kids and one of the girls she babysits. None of us had ever been so we weren't sure what it was going to be like. I'm not sure Brooke and Ty quite got it, but they still had fun trying. There were all these tunnels and caves and places to hide. They had a blast!It was actually really dark in there, so it was hard to get a good picture. But this is the best action shot I got.
Bowling was fun as usual. Charlotte was more interested in it this year than last. Last year she was just fascinated by the ball. This time she had fun pushing it down the ramp.

Charlotte did get a little bored after a while. So she started hiding between the lockers and sitting under the table. Gee, that couldn't be very sanitary.


3. I also love Chick-fil-a but you already know that. We got free kids meals through the library too that we used earlier in the summer. But we did go again for Kid's Night this week so we could get our faces painted.

Princess Charlotte

Beach Baby Brooke

So apparently the Summer Reading Program at our library is one of the best in the country. Can you see why? Did I mention that I love it? Thanks library for all our fun things we got to do this summer!

"Cruise" In

Have I mentioned how much I love Chick-fil-a? Well, I do. All summer they have been giving away free samples of everything from chick-n-mini's to yogurt parfaits to brownies and cheesecake. Three times a week. I go at least once a week. Well, this week they were giving away free samples but they were also having Customer Appreciation Week. One day they gave shake samples away and I went and grabbed some after swimming lessons because the girls were hungry. Later that day, they were giving away actual shakes to everyone! So, yes, I went twice in one day, but the second time I was meeting a friend. I went another day and had lunch with a friend and got some samples of brownies and cheesecake. Yum! Then on Thursday they were having a "Cruise" in for old cars and the girls wanted to go check it out. There weren't that many cars, but enough to keep the girl's interest. Man, I must be really boring if I have to blog about Chick-fil-a. But I sure will miss them when I'm in Michigan. :-(

Photo Shoot

I took Brooke to get her yearly pictures taken last week at Target. They got some really good shots. I had a hard time choosing which ones I wanted. Here are some of my favorites.
She is so photogenic! Charlotte's turn is tomorrow! By the way, I ended up getting the picture in the middle.

Pedicures...oh how I've missed you!

My sister was going to get a pedicure the other day. My feet really needed some pampering. I had to go and took Brooke too. Oh, what a life! The chairs are the best! We need one..or two..maybe three.

Take me out to the Ball game

Summer just wouldn't be summer without going to an All American Baseball game. We went the other night with some friends and sat on the lawn and had a great time. The kids had fun dancing and singing along to the music and eating snacks. Occasionally, they would watch the game. Towards the end, someone came around taking free pictures that we could download off their website. Fun times!


Friends!
Popcorn, anyone?
You've got a little cotton candy left.
Yummy popsicles!

Weekend Update

This weekend, the company that Nathan is working for had a company picnic. It was held at Eagle Creek Park, which is a very big park that we have never been to. We started out at the picnic which had a bounce house for the kids and also played Volleyball and corn hole. Somehow I got suckered into playing in the corn hole tournament and did surprisingly well for my first time playing. Unfortunately my team lost both games. Nathan and his partner made it into the championship game, but lost as well.
After his work picnic was over, we decided to explore the rest of the park. We found the Nature Center and ran into some friends there. The Nature Center had lots of turtles, fish, snakes, bugs, etc. Charlotte was fascinated by all the animals, therefore, I couldn't get her to turn around for a picture. They also had a place to stop and draw a picture of some of the things you had seen. That may have been Brooke's favorite part.


The park also had a marina where you could take a ride on a rowboat, which our friends did. We decided against it because it was actually a chilly day! There was also a swimming beach, which again, too chilly. But the kids would've loved just playing in the sand!

For dinner we went to Steak-n-Shake because kids eat free all weekend! They sure do love their shakes!
In other news, Nathan's aunt in Utah died. We won't know the details of the arrangements until tomorrow afternoon, but he really wants to go. I wouldn't mind going too but I signed the girls up for swimming lessons this week and it's nonrefundable. Plus, if we have to get there quick, the girls will hold us up, having to stop every 2-3 hours. So he may just ride out with his sisters.

Also, one more month until we are back in Michigan! We're just excited to have our own place again and our own things.

Another trip to the Museum

We took another trip to the Children's Museum this week. We saw some of the exhibits that we missed last week. Here are some of our highlights!

Trying to figure out the hula hoop.
Reading stories with the bear in the Health House.
While the older kids went to see a movie about stars, I took Charlotte to Playscapes, the area for kids 5 and younger can play. There was so much to do, she didn't know where to start. That, or she missed Brooke. This was her favorite part, I think.

We still haven't seen all there is to see at the Museum, we'll probably be going back next week! I'll try not to bore you with too many pictures!

We love Chick-fil-a!

Tonight Nathan took the girls to Chick-fil-a for Kids Night while I went to an activity at church. We just love our Chick-fil-a! They are always giving away free samples. One summer they gave away free milkshakes once a week or something. Last summer they would give away free breakfast items. And they're so friendly! And they have an indoor play area, which is hard to come by anymore. All the McDonald's got rid of theirs. But every Tuesday night they have a Kid's Night where they have games and prizes and face painting. The kids eat free with a paid adult combo. And I had a free kids meal from the library so all Nathan had to pay for was his own dinner. But anyway, we've never been for different reasons. Mostly I thought it would be just too crowded, which it was. Apparently you had to get a number to get your face painted and the girls picked 75 and 76. But they had a great time and this is what I came home to.
That is the best face painting I have ever seen. It's very intricate. But Brooke doesn't ever want it to come off. Oh, and we have to go back next Tuesday, and the Tuesday after that, and the next and...They were so excited when I walked in, they were just talking my ear off about this "party" and the cow gave them a high five (which is a big deal because they don't really like the cow)and on and on and on. But that is one of the thins I miss when we're in Michigan. No Chick-fil-a's.

A day at the Museum

This afternoon we ventured off to the newly remodeled Indianapolis Children's Museum. I had to take a picture of the outside so my Michigan friends can compare it to the one in Michigan.

This is what you first see when you drive up. Dinosaurs coming at ya!This is the new part. The dinosaurs trying to get in.


They have an awesome dinosaur exhibit. It is very life like and lots of hands on things. It is very loud in the dinosaur area, because it is simulated to sound like dinosaurs and even a rainstorm. Charlotte didn't care for it much, so was usually looking like this. But she really liked all the computers!

They also crawled through tunnels,
tried on dinosaur costumes,

and hoarded all their eggs. :-)

Next stop was the train station. You can't tell, but in the windows it looks like you're moving as you pass different kinds of scenery.

Brooke thought this house was so cool. It has always been one of my favorites too.
Our last stop was the carousel and play houses. It was our last stop because once we here, the girls don't want to leave. First we rode the carousel.
Then back and forth between the tree house, play house, and ice cream shop. They just absolutely love it.
This play house is so cute! I wish Nathan would build us one... Oh, I could never get a picture of them together because they were both running in different directions.
Brooke kept going up to random people asking for their order. It was so funny.
And then they rode the horsey!