Magic House

We were able to do some really fun things with our visitors this past Summer. One of the things we were able to do with both the Tuckwells and the Passinghams was visit the Magic House. It was a massive hit with both families and our family really enjoyed it too. Charles had never been before and Erin, Jack, and Theo hadn't been in the last 4.5 years so needless to say we were all excited.

The Magic House is hard to explain, but it never ceases to amaze. It is a kids' dream. Some pictures and descriptions are included below.

One of our favorite areas was miniature land where the kids get to act like they are big people doing big people type things. Here are some pictures of Alicia, Addie, Jack and Theo pretending they are doctors in the nursery.

Another part of miniature land included a store where the kids get to shop and then check themselves out. Here is Addie working on buying a tin of tomatoes with the cash register and scanner.

Eliot also had a good time in miniature land. Here he is trying to climb through a tire on a car that Jack and Theo were busy repairing.

Happy Birthday Theo!

Theo is 5. Normally, you read something, like 'gosh time has flown by' or 'I can hardly believe it'! But with Theo, I can believe it. In fact, Charles commented that I have been introducing him as 5 for a few months now. It is true. Once Eliot turned one, it was so much easier - and pleasing to the ear - to say that my kids were 7, 5, 3, and 1 over 7, 4, 3, and 1. I like the ring of 7, 5, 3, 1. It sounds so organized - whichI am clearly not since Theo turned 5 on July 30th and I am just now getting this up! But nonetheless, I love the sound of it.

In fact, there is more evidence that I am not super organized. I planned a party for Theo at nearby little wading pool that was scheduled to start at 5 and go to 7. I called the day before to ensure we could pay for the guests upon arrival. It was then that I was informed that the pool closed at 5 on the scheduled party day. I greeted Charles at the door when he returned home and told him 'we have a big problem'. I then told him of the pool closing time to which he correctly said, 'no, THAT is not a big problem. A big problem would be finding out tomorrow with all the kids in their bathing suits ready to swim.' He was right. He is good for me. I need him to correct my melodrama...often.

So with a bit of shifting (thankfully only two boys outside the family were invited) and very gracious party-goers we moved the party to 3-5. We had a great time with our new 5 year old. Here are some pictures to record it:

A Great Day and Brothers

We had a great day today. My sister-in-law and family were scheduled to visit us today. We love spending time with Aunt Natalie and her crew. They moved to Pennsylvania just after we arrived in the US which was taunting, but it has not changed our love for them or eagerness to see them. My kids were waiting at the door from the minute we got up today. When Aunt Natalie comes she brings five kids with her (otherwise known as her kids). Josiah, Esther, Miriam, Ezra and Silas are stair steps with my kids which means whether you look up or down there is a playmate. It is a blast.

Well, unexpectedly the day got even better. Natalie and I were sitting out in the backyard when we turned and saw a kid running around the side of the house very excitedly. Natalie made the comment that our neighbor-kid looked a lot like Joshua (who is our shared nephew - my sister's kid). I turned around to see the kid and screamed because it actually was Joshua. My sister had decided to drive in from St. Louis to surprise us and join in on the cousin time. She left her older two kids at home, but we thoroughly enjoyed the surprise (I love surprises) and the additional people.

My sister had the good idea of having Jack and Josiah come back to St. Louis with her for the evening - kind of a big boy sleepover amongst the older cousins. Jack was really keen to go for the night. Theo was not so keen. After some initial crying and claiming that life is not fair, he was pacified by a Lego playing with Mom and a Lego magazine.

Later that evening at dinner we were going around the table doing our highs and lows. Theo was very quick with his. He said his high was The Abbotts coming over and his low was Jack leaving.

It then dawned on me that Theo has slept in the same room as Jack since he was two years old and they have not missed a night together since they started sharing a room (except for the hospital stay when Jack swallowed the coin and Theo had the nasty asthma attack!). It was very natural for Theo to be missing Jack. He has asked me multiple times when Jack will be back tomorrow and has also said in a slightly melodramatic way 'Jack is the only person I like to play with.'

Thankfully not having Jack did not keep Theo up too long this evening:

The empty top bunk:

I love the fact that my boys love each other. I want to remember memories like this because I am not naive enough to think it will always feel this way. My prayer is that my kids will be deep friends their whole lives and am happy that my sister and sister-in-law make it so easy for me to model this to my kids.

Trip to the Governor's Mansion

We had a great day today touring the governor's mansion in Jefferson City. We went with a few friends and enjoyed a tour, a picnic, and a stop by Central Dairy. What is there not to love????

Before going to the mansion I read through the touring policy and prepped my kids with a few rules. One of the things I was sure to point out was that there wasn't a bathroom in the governor's mansion so we needed to make sure we went before we left home.

On the way there I asked each of my older boys to think of a question that they might want to ask the tour guide.  Jack quickly came up with the question of which governor has had the most kids - stemming of course from what it would be like to be a kid living in the mansion. A very reasonable question. Theo quickly came up with his question as well. He quickly piped in telling me that he was going to ask the tour guide 'where does the governor go to the bathroom?'.

It seems I forgot to mention that the governor's mansion had no public bathroom. In Theo's four year old mind he was thinking being governor doesn't sound like that good of a job if you have to across the street to go to the bathroom!  LOL.

Eliot's New Trick

So one of the things our family has been guilty of with Eliot is teaching him learnt helplessness. When normal babies fall over or lie on their backs they struggle and then learn how to roll over and get up. Not Eliot. As soon as he falls over one of the older kids runs to him and props him back up into sitting position. Only recently did it dawn us that we weren't sure he could get up when lying on his back. So we restrained ourselves  - and the other kids  - and let him struggle until he learnt it for himself. Here is a video of him showing off his new tricks. 

Note: He is 13 months in this video, only a good six months behind the 'norm'. It is worth pointing out that given the size of our kids' heads and their chubbiness none of them have rolled over consistently before the age of 9 months, so that may help in his defense that he is not really that far behind, at least for an Anderson!