Happy Birthday To Me!

This year I suggested that we take the kids to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum for my birthday. We haven't been to the new location, so I was excited to see it. I knew that the kids would love it, and I would have fun experiencing it with them. There are so many things to do at the museum that we had a hard time deciding where to start. Elizabeth picked the "Kid's Eye View" section. This area lets kids explore the big, wide world on a kid-size scale.

Elizabeth was so sweet and picked me a bunch of flowers for my birthday. Totally melted me heart!

Next, we headed to The Garden. In this area, adults and kids work together to keep things "buzzing". Elizabeth and Zachary loved all of the balls. Matt even turned into a big kid and loved this area!

The kids seemed to like the Story Factory. They got to draw pictures, use stamps and stencils, and even create a soundtrack. Zachary did a great job of shaking the bells!

The Terrace let us try our skills at being a pilot and a paramedic. We got to sit inside a replica Life Flight Helicopter and learned about what it takes to be a rescue worker.

The Media Zone was pretty fun. We got to pretend that we were on the evening news. We tried our hands at working a camera and even got to stand in front of a green screen to do the weather.

They had a new exhibit called "Play" that was only going to be at the museum during the Summer. It housed over-sized game pieces that the kids could play with. Elizabeth got to be part of a gigantic Dominoes display and played a huge game of pool!

Zachary was such a good sport and watched from his stroller on the sidelines. He is a patient, easy-going kid. I just love him!

Before leaving, we checked out The Studio. This area allows kids to explore the worlds of science, art, and engineering. Elizabeth and Matt enjoyed talking to each other through these large tubes. They were able to hear each other, even though they were on opposite sides of the building. Elizabeth was able to build a tower and watch it tumble as a pretend earthquake came through. Zachary loved watching everything from atop Matt's shoulders! He had a bird's eye view of all of the action.

Once we were home, Karla and Kelly stopped by to bring me my gifts. They gave me the Our Best Bites cookbook, Smarties, Chuckles, and Gummy Candies, and $50.00 cash. They seriously spoiled me!


Later that night, we headed to my parent's house for my birthday dinner. It was great to celebrate with my mom and dad, Meme, and Uncle Bill. Everyone was so nice to me and spoiled me with gifts. I got a darling new purse, a wallet, licorice and cookies from Matt and the kids.

Meme gave me a new shirt and Uncle Bill gave me an Old Navy gift card so I can go shopping! My parents gave me a pair of Sketcher shoes, a shirt from Kohl's, The Complete Guide to Crochet book, and a printer!

The best gift of all though was the homemade cupcakes that Elizabeth and my mom made for me. Elizabeth and my mom made them last night, and Elizabeth did a great job of keeping them a secret. Since I am not able to eat any egg or dairy products right now, Elizabeth and my mom baked me special cupcakes that were okay for me to eat! How thoughtful!

Thanks everyone. I had so much fun today. I really appreciate all that my little family, and extended family, did to make my day so great! I think we should do this again next year!

Summertime BBQ with the Freebairn's

At least once every Summer, Karla and Kelly invite us over for a Summertime BBQ. They go all out with tons of delicious foods and they set up what I affectionately call the "Freebairn Family Water Park". Karla and Kelly have a ton of water toys and pools that they set up. The kids play for hours...and are exhausted when we bring them home!

I love seeing Elizabeth and Zachary playing with their cousins. I did not have any cousins to play with while growing up so it makes me so happy that my kids do. They play, and run, and laugh, and play some more. I love it!

This was Zachary's first official Freebairn Family Summertime BBQ. He was so little last Summer that he didn't get to go swimming. This year, he absolutely loved it. Kelly had set up a little splash pool just for Zachary. He even filled it with warm water. What a sweet grandpa!

All the kids loved running through the sprinklers. Even Elizabeth did it, and she hates to get splashed in the face! It was so fun to see them all running through the water and giggling! Even Zachary wanted to try it out. Kate and Grandma were so sweet to help him!

The biggest hit of the day though, had to be the water cannons. The kids loved spraying each other! I loved watching from the sidelines as the kids giggled, squealed and ran for their lives!

Zachary really like the water table. He poured and splashed the afternoon away! He had a huge smile on his face the entire time...and got totally soaking wet!

Matt joined us as soon as he got off work. He arrived just in time to enjoy all of the amazing food. Kelly always does a great job of grilling up yummy meat, while Karla fixes all of the side dishes!

Little Ty was sleeping most of the afternoon but did join us for the food. I am so excited that Zachary has a cousin so close in age. I hope that they will get to be good buddies in the future. It was so cute to see them sitting on the sidelines with Grandma watching all of the craziness!

Karla and Kelly always make this such a special day. There is a lot of preparation that goes into making days like this happen. We are so grateful for the fun things that they do for our kids. Elizabeth and Zachary are so lucky to have a Grandma and Grandpa that love them so much!