Free Family Fridays at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History!

Here's what they had on their website...

• Free Family Fridays return offering FREE exhibit admission from 3 to 7 p.m. on the last Friday of every month. While the Museum of Science and History builds for the future, you’ll find many of your favorite exhibits on the lower level of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Free Family Fridays include admission to both museum experiences:
  Celebrate the Cowgirl Experience – activities and exhibits that capture the extraordinary courage and pioneer spirit of the American West.
  Explore exhibits from the Museum of Science and History – Dinosaur Roundup, KIDSPACE and a new Hands On Studio.
  Check out plans for the Museum of Science and History’s new campus in the Preview Center.
  Bring the entire family! You’ll discover fun, exploration and learning for all ages.


• “FREE FAMILY FRIDAYS”3- 7 p.m. Friday, August 29, 2008, Friday, September 26, 2008, Friday, November 28, 2008, Friday, December 26, 2008

Okay so that's the commercial...just wanted to share the information! We had a whole lot of fun! One thing they had there that was really neat was you got to ride a horse and make a video....check it out...

Busy Night

So, Thursday night was a crazy night! Noah had his first soccer practice at 6pm and then orientation for pre-school at 6:45pm. So Jason & I drove two vehicles. We both went to soccer then at 6:30 I left and drove across town for orientation. Jason then dropped off Noah at our house (we had a babysitter) with Ethan. He tried to make it to orientation but got there at the end! Then we went out to eat followed by some back to school shopping. I am not sure we could have crammed one more thing in the night!!

But Soccer has began. Noah has literally wanted to play soccer for 2 years now. The opportunity has never been there because he has been too young. He finally gets to play! He will be practicing every Monday night and having games on Saturdays. He is majorly excited :) So...I am officially a soccer mom - I am so proud of him!

He starts pre-k Tuesday....I will post later how that goes....But as you can see a very crazy/busy night!

Ethan the Strong!!

The name Ethan means strong and he is trying to prove us right in naming him that! He is a strong little dude! Now I know all babies like to help with the dishwasher. I remember Noah standing on the door, getting dishes out, putting dishes in, closing the door etc. But I don't know that I've seen help like this.

Noah the Doctor!

Yesterday I spent most of the day at the Dr. Office. That is Noah's Dr. Office. At one point he had his Batman PJ's under his doctor scrubs. He told Jason he was Dr. Batman! How can you go wrong with that? He looked in my throat, checked my temp, checked my ears, gave me shots/medicine, etc. Needless to say I feel great now after having such a thorough visit with my Dr. Batman!

I Do It Myself!!!

Last night we were eating supper and Ethan wouldn't eat for anything. We are talking crying, turning his head, sometimes screaming, and spitting out his food if by chance we got it in his mouth. Jason tried and tried to get him to eat. Then I tried being the Supermom that I am with my Supermom powers!!! Still he wouldn't eat. I was getting a little concerned for him because him and Noah both have a cold this week. So I was thinking oh poor thing...he's just so sick. Then he grabs the fork out of my hand and goes at it happily. He was smiling, giggling, and so proud of himself. After that point he couldn't get the food fast enough! I thought to myself all of that attitude just because you wanted to do it yourself! He continued eating and was perfectly content the rest of the meal!

So, I know that he will be 15 months next week and I know by this point I was already letting Noah try to feed himself. But when you have two you sometimes (or a lot of times) just want to do the easier less messier way. But I guess I will have to let go and just clean up his messes. It brought him so much pride and accomplishment last night! It's kind of like he was saying LET ME GROW UP!!! I mean really when was I going to let him try to feed himself because honestly I had no plans!!! Would he have ended up being 14 with me still feeding him...I hope not!!! I guess he felt the need to take the situation in his own hands.

In our family there are a lot of stories of my mom from her childhood and stories of me when I was kid that have the "I Do It Myself" theme or the words were actually spoken. I guess the little guy doesn't stand a chance and neither did his brother!! Funny stories that I would like to share but I am not sure I own all the rights to do so!!! So hat's off to another "I Do It Myself" Kid!!! My Grandma Sula would be so proud!

Gotta Love Chuck E. Cheese!!!

Saturday we took the kiddos to Chuck E. Cheese (Noah's been begging to go for awhile now!). It's been awhile since we've been over there. Of course with it being Saturday they had birthday parties going on so that meant Chuck E. Cheese was up and moving about. You should have seen Ethan's face when he came walking by us. I had to change my batteries in my camera so I didn't get the first initial face but here's what I got...

Noah also had so much fun. Whoever came up with the idea of Chuck E. Cheese is very smart and very rich!!! We all played and had a really good time!

Got this in an email...and well it's too true/funny not to post!

Those Born 1930-1979 READ TO THE BOTTOM FOR QUOTE OF THE MONTH BY JAY LENO. IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE---VERY WELL STATED TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer's, no Internet or chat rooms.......WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! If YOU are one of them?CONGRATULATIONS!

The quote is by Jay Leno: "With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

Where Did I Go Wrong?

Okay so this time I had bought a plant that was already potted so that mabye I couldn't mess it up. Everyday we watered it, Ethan pulled flowers off and Noah talked to it. It has been doing great...looking so pretty and growing. I was beginning to think maybe I could do this. Not a day went by without us talking to and watering our flower.

But...there was the one day that we were running late for church so I didn't water it at it's normal time and by the end of the day things had gone downhill. I tried to water it and even gave it some miracle gro but things have just continued to get worse. I don't want to say I am done with plants but I don't want to kill them all! Even Noah asked me yesterday why do all our flowers die? I am wondering the same thing! I am still trying I haven't given up on you yet little flower --- so keep trying to revive little flower. I am so sad about this! I did make it one month. I keep telling myself maybe it was just the heat and it had nothing to do with me...but it probably does!

Noah's Shoes!

Noah has been saving his allowance for a couple of weeks for Batman shoes. Yesterday he had enough saved to go get them...so we did! He was so excited to get to bring them home. We have actually gone to Wal-Mart for him to try them on and then go home without them. I mean he has really really been wanting these shoes. Well now that he's got them, they are not coming off!

This morning at 6:40 am (keep in mind Noah isn't usually up until 8am and sometimes later!) he was standing beside my bed with his batman shoes saying Mom look! I told him to go back to bed and that lasted until about 7:15am. They haven't been off of his feet since then. It is so cute to see how proud he is of them. We just started this allowance thing and I wasn't sure about it. Now I think it's good cause it allowed him to do it hisself! It also taught him how much things are! Also, it has cut out all the mom I want...but mom...everytime we go to the store! Because now my answer is save your money and you can get it! :)

Pilates/Yoga Update!

Day 4 - It went much better - yeah! Ethan and Noah both did great. I didn't get called out not once. So we'll see how the rest of the week goes. If it goes as good then I will probably join. I am so glad they gave me these passes so I can make absolute sure! The funny thing is the movements are getting harder ... I guess that's because I am actually trying to do them right now!

Day 3 - The work out part is getting better. I wasn't nearly as sore today as I was the other day. So that's good! But, Ethan didn't do so good in the nursery today. He cried a lot and they had to come get me several times. I ended up not being able to finish the class because he was so upset. So now I don't know! I talked to the manager and they gave me 3 more free passes to see how he is going to do before I sign up. Because once you sign up you are locked into your contract. I hope he works out because I am really enjoying the class and would like to continue doing it. So maybe. Noah is doing great though! He really likes going - well, for now anyway!

Day 2 - I went again today and wow! I am soooo sore. Every exercise we did hurt really bad. Poor me :) I am realizing how out of shape I am! The teacher today was a little harsher than the one I had Monday. Which is good I guess cause she does make sure you are doing the movement right. I guess I'll be hurting really good tomorrow. But remember no pain --- no gain. I am trying to stay motivated!!! It does help that Heather is doing it with me, otherwise, I might have already quit! Just like today the kids got up late so we really had to hustle to make it there on time. If it was just me I might not have gone, but since I knew Heather was going to be there ... I ran around crazy to get there! So it is already helping to be doing this with a friend!! Thanks girl!

I can't wait to see how sore I am going to be tomorrow.... (a little sarcastic tone). Even though this post may not sound like it I am actually enjoying this class :) The class actually ends leaving you emotionally feeling relaxed, renewed, and energized while physically feeling owie!

I'm A Survivor!! -- Seems Like An Appropriate Title

Well after weeks of talking, blah, blah, blah about going to the local gym here and trying the Pilates/Yoga class.....I did it! I went a couple of weeks ago and took a tour. They gave me a free 3 day pass to try it out. I put the pass in my car with the intent of going to the very next class. That was about 2-3 weeks ago! Well I talked to my friend, Heather, about it and we made a commitment. So, today we got up and went to the 10:15am class! It was really good and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. My plans are to do the 2 other free classes to make sure I really like it before I sign the 1 year contract!

About the gym --- the class was great. I never once felt like I was going to pass out. Which is good! I have low blood pressure so anything to cardio makes me hit the floor! They also provide childcare with membership. So the kiddies got a little play date with their friends. I think it was an hour well spent :) So now Heather & I will be attempting this 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday). I'll keep you updated on how we are doing. Hopefully she will be my accountability person and the kids will be my motivator! I mean free childcare should be a big enough motivation for a stay at home mom of 2....just to have an hour for yourself. That should do the trick or at least you think it would! We'll see.... :)

Ethan's First Carousel Ride :)

He was so happy and wanted to be so Mr. Independant! He was strapped on, held on tight to the bar, smiled, and looked like such a big boy! He really really enjoyed it. He was so cute :)

Mr. Big Stuff at 14 months!!!

Summer on the Fly!

Is it just me or is this summer flying by?? In my mind I had all these things we were going to do this summer but the days are going quicker than I'd like!

Noah will be starting pre-school one month from today. I was back and forth whether I should enroll him. Actually in the past I said I wasn't going to that I would just teach him everything ... but he doesn't pay much attention to me! Also, I can't teach him how to be apart from me! Then after we moved here I started thinking about it more. I thought it might be good to have a gradual separation to get him ready for K-5. Then back in April or May I registered him even though I was still on the fence about it and he was saying he didn't want to go. I am glad now that I did because now things are so different. He is really really excited about going and I feel much better about it too. He is now asking me to take him to school! I know it will be good for him to learn and have a little time away from me! He only goes Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 12-3pm but that's still an adjustment when I normally see him 24/7. The Schoolhouse ( http://www.weatherfordschoolhouse.com/ ) seems to be a great place. I have went there twice for a tour and prayed alot!! So in summary we both feel really good about it and are excited....but we will probably still cry when he starts!!!

I guess that's why I feel like this summer is flying by! :) September 2nd seems to be getting here really quick :)