A Saturday at the Science Center

On a Saturday morning in early March, we met some friends from out of town at the Science Center.  The kids had a lot of fun exploring the exhibits together.

Our boys love the 2 story ball machine where they follow colored balls as they roll along different tracks.

Charlie enjoyed the balls while also enjoying a box of raisins.

There is so much to see!

Unbeknownst to us, it was Neuro Day!  We got to explore a neuro exhibit and see some really cool things.

The coolest thing we saw was a human brain.  Jack didn't want to hold it at first, but Patrick did.

Of course, after seeing his little brother hold it, Jack changed his mind.

Very cool!

Magic House

Here are some pictures from two visits to the Magic House in February.  Charlie's favorite spot is the light switches.  They have several different types of switches on the wall, with lights above them.  He loves to turn them on and off.

Patrick is getting ready for Michigan at the sand table.

Charlie is not yet 16, but loves to drive.

Patrick likes to be behind the wheel, too!

And we're back to the light switches...

 

They have a cool, jumbo light bright for the kids.

I love it when they share...

Charlie isn't tall enough to put the balls down the tunnels, but he enjoys taking them out of the bottom.

Big brother Patrick can help with putting the balls down the tunnels.

Our little angel looks a little mischievous here. 

We came back to the Magic House later that week, and this time Jack got to come with us!

Is it okay if I put this rock in my mouth, Mom?

There is a Magic School Bus exhibit at the Magic House.  The kids were excited to meet the characters.

Jack is practicing to be a meteorologist.  

Pere Marquette

At the end of January, Jim had a day off work and we took Patrick and Charlie to Pere Marquette for the day.  We borrowed some binoculars and a telescope from Grandma to see the eagles, but only saw one.  It was cold, but not too bad so we were able to stop at a playground along the way.

 The kids enjoyed playing on the life-sized chessboard.

When Jack saw the pictures, he was disappointed he didn't get to go with us.  I told him we would go again with him someday.  

Playing in the Snow

Uncle David and Aunt Melanie gave the boys a sled for Christmas, and we have used it several days this winter.  In December, Jim pulled the kids around the backyard on it.

Jack and Patrick loved it.  Charlie...not so much.

While I was in D.C. in February, it snowed here and Jim took Jack and Patrick to a big hill to go sledding.  I don't have any pictures of that, though.  Later in February, we got a lot of snow and had 2 snow days off school!  I pulled the boys around in the sled in the backyard, and all three loved it this time!

The snow was so bad that Jim stayed in a hotel instead of coming home from work one night.  The boys and I had fun playing in the snow, and shoveling the driveway for when Jim did come home.  After Charlie and I went inside to get warm, Jack and Patrick stayed outside and played for another hour each day!

 Charlie had a lot of fun!

I couldn't get Jack to come inside.

Patrick just looks surprised here, but he really had fun playing with Jack in the snow.  It was nice for him to have his brother home from school for 2 extra days.

 Charlie trudged across the snow-covered yard to his cozy coupe (a favorite toy of his by far).

He tried really hard to open the frozen door.

 "Maybe if I bend down low I will be able to open it."

"Aaaahhhhhhh!  Could someone please open my car door for me?  Please!"

"If I can't get in this car, I will cry!"

"Thank you, Mom, for putting the camera down and opening my door for me."

 

About a minute later, Charlie climbed out of the car (it's not as much fun when you can't drive it anywhere) and lost his boot in the process.  After walking in the snow with one boot on and one boot off, I decided it was time for the two of us to go inside and get warm.