Pretend Hospital at WSCC

Here are some photos of Katie's class having a good time at the Nursing Department on the WSCC campus. They participated in the "Pretend Hospital." Each student took their turn to play pretend sick and were treated by a student nurse. They got to learn how to take care of their bodies and prevent from getting sick. Katie showed me the mask she got to wear, while pretending to be in the hospital.

Jingle All The Way

Yesterday, we had such a great, but exhausting day.  It was our class field trip.  YAY!  Katie was excited all weekend, knowing she was going to her favorite museum.  The only difference, it was transformed into Santa's workshop and Elf College.  Tehe. Us parents took lots of pictures.  We have our usual group of moms and dads, so we got to have our little catch up session.  While the children were being read a Christmas book by Mrs. Claus herself, a few of us parents were in another room talking, giving me advice about a future Disney World trip. This is way in the future because we want Colton completely potty trained.  Well, a few of the men in our group have this booming voice and a Santa's helper had to come calm us down.  Yeah, we got into trouble with Santa's elf.  Oops!  Holly asked if that meant we were put on the naughty list?  We all had a very good time and it was so worth the money. 

Kids Graduated from Elf College - their wearing their elf hats

A huge Christmas tree was displayed in the dining hall - Katie is pictured in front of the tree

Katie the Snowgirl

Katie in Santa's sleigh

Santa's reindeer resting and ready to go come Christmas Eve night

Katie makes an elf doll at the toy workshop

Mrs. Claus reads the children a story

I love how festive every room was decorated

Mrs. Claus' formal Dining Room area

Katie makes a pretend gingerbread cookie

The kids stop by the blacksmith and watch him make a nail for Santa's sleigh from beginning to end.  It was interesting and he was funny.  The kids really liked him.

Photo op for all the students to have their picture made

Our Day Trip 2011

Doug and I searched the internet, talked about the past vacation spots and decided to stay close to home. We've been wanting to take Katie to the McWane Center for quite some time.

So . . .

We finally made it to McWane Science Center with Katie and Colton.  They had a blast! It's a total of 4 stories high.  Filled with fun, laughs and educational experiences.  The lower level is the aquarium, which includes a petting pool.  Katie couldn't contain herself when she got to touch a bonnethead shark and a stringray. 

I had to take a picture of Katie sticking her head inside this Large Mouth Bass.  Too funny!

Level 1
You can make very large bubbles, all sorts of science experiments, gift shop and art studio.  Katie and Colton loved playing in the playground, which included pretend play in a large plastic submarine, planting a garden, make music.  Colton's favorite was playing in the water.

I'm lying on a bed of nails.  Check out Katie touching the nails.

A pully system, where the kids can pull themselves up.

Colton and Katie really like the pully too.  Of course, I had to help Colton pull himself up. 

I just knew a time or two that Colton would end up inside the water thing.

Level 2

We got to see dinosaur bones and the kids liked digging in the pit.  Colton is a dinosaur fan, so when he saw the exhibit, he wanted to touch them in the worst way.  They had a mock weather studio with radar screens, green background and everything.  Katie liked playing the virtual games with a small group of kids. 

Virtual soccer

Level 3

There goes Katie

Colton spinning the earth's waters

I believe the zip line was on the third floor.  Katie said the long line to the zip line was well worth the wait.  After the zip line, we went through a large maze.  I had Katie lead the way.  Oh my goodness.  She was so lost.  As soon as we discovered that we just made a circle, Katie said "oh, I know which way to go".  It was fun. 
Despite the building full of people, it was so worth the money and time.  As we were leaving the building, Doug asked Katie which museum did she like the best - Earlyworks or McWane Science Center?  Earlyworks still holds her heart by far. 

Our little day trip wasn't over, we head over to Leeds, Alabama.  Doug wanted to go to Bass Pro Shop.  I hardly ever buy anything there, but I enjoy walking around and looking at everything.  However, this time I bought Colton a pair of camo overalls for this Fall/Winter.  He is going to look so cute, I can't wait to try them on him.  I wanted to get him a hat and hunting boots to match, but he didn't like the hat and they didn't have boots to fit his feet.  Daggum it! 

Lastly, we spent the rest of our day at The Shops of Grand River.  Oh, I love this place!  I don't know when I'll have the next opportunity to get over here, so I took this chance to do a little school clothes shopping for Katie.  Wow!  We hit this place at a great time.  The Children's Place had t-shirts for $6 and Katie picked out a couple of headbands for $.99.  But Gymboree was the hot spot.  I still can't believe that they didn't have a crowd of people in there.  There were several bins full of clothes, all sizes for $.99 and up.  I hit the jackpot!  I got Colton and Katie lots of Fall outfits.  Katie hates long sleeves, so I didn't get too many.  Besides, it's a long time before it gets real cold here.  Carter's didn't have very many Fall outfits on sale yet, but the clerk told me to wait another month or two.  I may have to take a special trip. 

Before I end this post, I have to share this video. Guess what they are advertising? Too funny! This commercial was shared with us by a friend.


Y'all have a wonderful 4th of July!

Boo at the Zoo and A Party Too!

Katie announced tonight as we were coming home from her little friend's party that today was a great day.

We started our day loading everyone up and taking Katie to school. Once we dropped Katie off at the front door, we parked our vehicle with the other parents that were going to the zoo. Colton knew something was up. He was getting antsy, wanting out of his chair. To buy some time, I let him play with a few of Katie's toys (Strawberry Shortcake). Shhh, don't tell Katie because she doesn't know about it.

At the zoo, Mrs. M's class all were sitting quietly in their section on the sidewalk. I agreed to chaperone for Mrs. M, but there were several parents that were able to make it. I was so glad because that made me only responsible for one other child other than Katie. Yay! Katie and S agreed that for today, they were sisters. I thought that was so sweet. The first thing I told them was that they needed to hold hands and stay close by us at all times. Of course, Katie was temporarily deaf when I stressed the point of "wandering off or not staying close by." Poor S acted like the big sister telling Katie to listen to me. Thinking to myself, I think I like S more and more. She's a good influence to Katie. Once Mrs. M had us on our way, we had to cover the whole zoo within 2 hours. Now, how do they expect us to do this in such limited time? I put on my thinking cap and we decided to just cover the Safari, Jungle and Petting area. I didn't think the girls would be interested in snakes, bugs, and alligators. The one thing S requested to see, outside of the areas we went, was the Flamingos. I think from now on the time to go to the zoo is early in the mornings because the animals were in a rare frisky form. Most of them were not hiding, the cats were posing and the monkeys were playing around. The facility is currently going through some construction work, they are adding on a huge Safari exhibit. Once done, they will house 4 bull elephants along with many other new animals. If you ask Katie which was her favorite part, she'll probably tell you the monkeys; however, I know she really like the rock climbing playground area. LOL! S got to see her Flamingos before we left. And I felt like I lost about 10 pounds walking and sweating to death. Of all days, we go to the zoo today. Yesterday and day before yesterday were absolutely beautiful with very cool temperatures. Today was another story, with the high nearly topping 90 degrees. Ugh! I could just feel my face becoming red as a beet. Thank goodness for the train ride! It made a little breeze for me to cool down. We had a really good time and Katie hated to leave so quick, but I told her that we would try to come back next Spring for the Grand Opening of the new Safari Exhibit. I couldn't have been able to do this without the help of Doug and Colton was a little angel. God was definitely watching over me.

Red Panda

Sand Cat (Wildcat) ~ Isn't it cute?

This little weasle looking thing was so funny.  It kept coming up to the glass next to Katie & S (back & forth)

This Bobcat was playing possum

I've never seen a miniature mule before until today

The dewarf goats were loving the attention & brushing from the girls

The Queens for the Day!

The zoo was decorated for the annual "Boo at the Zoo."  This was part of the Alice and Wonderland display

Cheshire

Alice falling again

Flamingos

Part of the "Candyland" display

Gorilla taking it easy

Anteater having a little snack

Monkeys

Monkeys & more monkeys

. . . along with the lemurs

They had two white rhinos

My girls feed Black Swans and Turtles, FROM THEIR HAND!  I told Katie she better watch it because the swans would bite her.  "No mom, their nice swans they don't bite."  she said.  Lucky for her, they didn't. 

I love how their feathers look like ruffles from a black evening gown on their back.  So pretty.

Carp sticking their heads out, telling us they need FOOD.

Colton enjoying himself

Sisters for the day!

Before we headed home, Doug had to stop by his favorite store in the whole wide world, Marks Outdoors. They've been doing a little construction work themselves. They've bought out the golf and bike repair shops and knocked out some walls. Wow! It looks good and seems to have more of a variety, believe it or not. They have a HUGE Costa Del Mar sunglass selection.

Katie, Colton and myself were whipped out on the way home. Colton was out and I was able to talk Katie into resting her eyes. I didn't realize how tired I was until I woke up almost home. Oops! I didn't mean to fall asleep, but I don't think Doug missed my company because he was listening to Finebeaum the WHOLE time. I'm not a big Finebeaum fan because half the people that call in sound fake.

At home, I was able to take a small break, clean Katie up and we were out the door again. Her little friend, A, is celebrating her birthday. Katie had a ball. I loved meeting A's grandparents, such sweet people and reconnecting with another couple I knew from church. A had a very nice party and we wish her many many more happy birthdays. We Love You!!

I forgot my regular camera, so I had to take all the pictures with my cell phone camera. 

Katie wouldn't even look at me.  Ugh!

Blowing out the candles!