April Showers

Checking out our temporary "lake."

This weekend brought lots of rain. So much that Bean Dip's soccer game was cancelled early on Friday. We had a quiet weekend -- visiting the museum on post and eating delicious pork ramen for dinner.

Sunday, the weather cleared, and we had a lake in the backyard -- we had so much rain that our drain couldn't handle it all. It was the highest I've seen it, and it lasted until late Sunday afternoon.

Of course, we had to go check it out.

And inevitably, the kids got soaked. But boy, did they enjoy it.

A race!

Later, our neighbor boy and his friend were out there. They were actually swimming around in it.

Makes me wish we had a permanent lake out back.

After a long, long wait, our soldier is finally home! Win got home very early Monday morning, and we are so happy he is safe and home.

Homemade Hummus

Today Baby G and I attempted homemade hummus. I looked up a few recipes and ended up doing a very basic one -- one can of chickpeas (with some of the liquid), one clove of garlic, two-ish tablespoons of tahini and juice from half a lemon. I just combined it all in the blender and it quickly blended together.

Of course, G loves hummus. And I'm not exaggerating -- she has been known to eat almost an entire tub by herself, in one sitting. She eats it by the spoonful. She was very excited with the idea of making our own.

She taste-tested every ingredient. We tried the tahini, which she liked. I almost gagged when I tasted it. Then I smashed a clove of garlic, threw it in, and the next thing I know, Baby G has decided to take a bite of that, too. She liked it until the heat hit. I quickly gave her a slice of lemon to cool her tongue, but seeing her eat that was hilarious.

I was not that blown away by our concoction, but G approved it. She ate several spoonfuls right away, then finished up by eating the parsley we added at the end. I will probably keep making it if she eats it, because a.) It's much more cost-effective, and b.) homemade is always better.

I think I will add more garlic, more lemon, and more parsley and cumin next time. You know, to cover up the hummus taste, haha.

Baby G definitely has some crazy taste buds. She is also the girl that eats the onion grass growing wild in the backyard.

Fun in the 'Loo

With the snow rapidly melting and everywhere soggy, we explored some indoor fun during our spring break in St. Louis. We visited both the St. Louis Science Center and the Magic House.

The Science Center is just what you'd expect -- lots and lots of science. Bean Dip's face was priceless when we walked in -- there was a two story ball maze taking over the entrance. I honestly think he would have been perfectly happy spending the entire visit just sitting there watching it.

The place is huge. It is also free. If you wish to view a movie in the Omnimax theater, of course you have to buy a ticket. We saved that for another visit. There is also a planetarium, but we didn't make it that far. We spent a few hours at the center, with Collins. BD was frightened by the life-sized moving T-Rex presiding over its meal of a triceratops. Baby G wasn't -- totally the opposite of what I expected. But they both liked the exhibits on electricity, optical illusions, and cyperspace. It is always fun to cross the highway on the enclosed bridge, and shoot the radar guns at the cars. And BD got to try out a flight simulator in the space section.

BD's favorite part was the ball maze, of course. Baby G said she liked the "building bridges" part -- the section on engineering. She says she wants to be a builder, with a pink tractor.

The next day we did the Magic House. It is similar to the Science Center, in that it is a building dedicated to interactive exhibits for kids. This one was more dedicated to the "play" part however. There are slides and sandboxes and bubbles, but also a whole detective exhibit where you have to solve the crime, an outdoor construction area (for kids!), and replicas of the Oval Office and the Senate and House of Representatives. BD honestly thought the construction area was real, and when I asked to take a picture of him in his hard hat, he testily said, "Can't you see I'm working?!"

There was a special exhibit of The Magic School Bus, on weather. I was a little disappointed with it, but the kids liked it. But really, the Magic House is magical all on its own.

It is not free, but there is a military discount.

For more information:
The St. Louis Science Center
The Magic House

A Spring Break Snowstorm

We happened to be in St. Louis for the big spring snowstorm that hit on Palm Sunday. It was a record snowfall --I think our area got 9-12 inches of snow in 12 hours. It was great snow, too, perfect for making snowballs.

Transportation

Baby G just finished up a unit on transportation at school. One day when I arrived to pick her up, they were outside flying paper airplanes. Another day she told me all about how they "flew" on an airplane and she got to take the passengers' tickets.

And this is what she brought home yesterday, the car that she designed. No surprise that it is pink and sparkly.

The front.

The back. I like how it has a personalized license plate.

This song makes me happy ... and even happier knowing it was written by Bob Dylan.

Easter 2013

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter this year. All the snow had melted away in time, and the sun was (mostly) shining all day. It was warm enough for the kids to go barefoot, and for us to eat dinner on the porch. All the family came, including Doc and Collins. Everyone was happy, and there was no fighting.

The kiddos were excited to wake up to filled Easter baskets, and I think they ate their weight in candy. In addition to candy, Baby G got fairy wings and a silk streamer, and Bean Dip got more army vehicles and army men. So G was dancing around in wings while BD carefully set up all 100 of the army men for an epic battle.

We went to early Mass, and had to sit up in the choir loft. BD had complained about going, but he was quiet and well-behaved. He liked following along in the song book. G was excited to go to "God's house" as she calls church. She was just as excited to wear her party dress and new dress shoes.

The party was all afternoon. After dinner, the kids hunted eggs, and BD declared himself the winner with the most eggs. Then everyone headed down to the lake, to fish and enjoy the sunshine. It was great. Little Jack, G, and Collins all caught fish. BD had fun playing at the edge of the lake, and all the grownups oohed and aahed over the fish.

G and her fish.

After everyone left, Dad and I went back down to fish a little bit more. I didn't catch anything, but it was such a gorgeous evening that it didn't matter.

Happy Easter!