Kidnastics!

I've been patiently waiting for Nora to turn three so she could start all the fun classes through the park district like dance and gymnastics.  So as soon as the spring brochure came out, I signed her up for Kidnastics -- gymnastics for three and four year olds.  

As the first day approached, she was getting more and more excited to go.  She was thrilled on Monday morning - and I was just as thrilled when she ran right over to the rest of the kids leaving me in the dust.

There were three different "coaches" there.  The kids rotated through the stations twice.  When they went through the second time, they did different activities. 

Watching from behind my camera lens the bleachers, I
was proud that this time I wasn't the mom in this picture
holding my shy and nervous daughter while watching
the rest of the kids.  

Watching the coach to learn how to do mule kicks.

They stood on their heads as the coach helped them put
their legs up on the angled mat.  Nora was in her own
world roaming the mats during this part.

Meeting another coach.
He did animal walks with them (ie: walk like an elephant and
swing your arm like a trunk, reach tall and walk on tippy
toes like a giraffe, run fast like a cheetah, etc.)

Here they are doing the giraffe walk.

Log rolls down the wedge.

And somersaults!

This little man watching from the sidelines tried
to make a break for the equipment a few times but...

stayed fairly content playing games on the iPad.

The balance beam was one of her favorite stations.
They started on the little beam here walking from color to color.

Then went to the big beam and worked on "stick landings".
(and walking sideways like she is here)

The spring board.

And jumping up to the mat stack and back down.

The bars - they'd swing on this one
then they tried to hang and swing their
feet up to touch the bar by their hands.

I said he was fairly content with the iPad.
This was the other thing keeping him
occupied.  Climbing up the three bleachers.

and taking the stairs back down.

I know she's already looking forward to next Monday.  When we were getting in the car she said, "I had lots of fun there.  Can we come back tomorrow?"  A reaction like that means money well spent, if you ask me!

Snow Activities

Who knew that at the end of February we would have gotten our biggest snowfall of the season?  When there was finally enough snow to make a decent sized snowman, we took advantage of it.

Nora helping put the final touches on our snowman -
adding coal for eyes. 

Myles got to put the carrot in for his nose. 

With all the snow flying around it looks
kind of miserable out there but it was actually quite nice. 

Me with the kiddos and the snowman.
(it's really hard to take a picture with your phone while
it's snowing... and dark.)

Then I moved inside to get dinner moving while Dan
had a little more time with them sledding on the mini
hill in the back. 

A few days later we got more snow.

This is Nora the next day posing proudly with the
snowman she made by herself the night before.
She knocked it down shortly after this picture because
she didn't want Rusty to pee on it like he did to our
other snowman.

He loves helping us shovel.

Finally armed with the proper tools (the squirt bottles),
we got to do something I found
on pinterest.  We painted the snow with colored water.  

They both enjoyed it - especially Nora.  Even I had to get in on the action.

This was our finished masterpiece.  Pretty colors on the snow and
in the sky.

While it was fun to do some more winter activities, I'm ready for all the snow to melt and spring to be here.

Kohl Children's Museum

We're looking for new and fun things to do during the weekend since the weather is still cold and we can't play outside too much.  I've been wanting to test out the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview for a while now.  I've heard good things about it and after experiencing such an amazing one in Greensboro while visiting Dan last year, I really wanted to go sooner rather than later.  The day had finally come where we went.

The kids loved it -- especially Myles.  Before we left, we ended up getting a yearly membership.  If we go a total of three times throughout the year, it's worth the membership price.  

Here's what our trip looked like -- 

The Car Room -

There was also a "car wash" they could go in and
get the blow of air on them as they're coming out.

The Doctor's Office -

Nora loved this place.

A real stethoscope! 

Video Calls -

They didn't know how to hang up
the phone - probably never saw one
like this in their lives.

With all the fun things to explore, it's
also nice to take a break and stand in
a box to people watch.

Land of Oz - 

a plinko type game

Music and Movement -

DJ Milo

This picture makes me think of a kindergarten hearing screening
when you have to raise your hand when you hear the beep.  So serious.

Of course he found the shoes you can
step into.  There's no place like home!

A drum!!
Those little colored pebbles at the bottom bounced around when
he'd bang. This was his favorite thing in this room.

Water World - 

This was, by far, Myles' favorite section of the
entire museum.  They had these waterproof
smocks to wear while they played to prevent from
a complete soaking.

Another mom said to me, "He learned really
quickly he needs the big net if he wants to catch
a ball." Yup - he's smart like that.

When we were all done, they had little hand
dryers to dry off.  Another big hit.

A digger!!

 Potbelly's - 

Surprisingly, this was Nora's favorite part.
I thought the grocery store would be but this
was the part she wanted to come back to before leaving.

She got to be a sandwich artist and the cashier.

Future teenage job?

Another favorite part of Myles', and as you could guess, many other kids. So they time it and give each group of kids 10 minutes at a time.  Works well.

Another favorite part of Myles', and as you could guess, many other kids.
So they time it and give each group of kids 10 minutes at a time.  Works well.

Shopping for produce.

He wanted to throw everything in his cart.

Time to check out!
My favorite thing about Dominic's was the check out beeped when
you scanned the bar codes on all the items.  Realistic! 

Face (Self) Painting -

When we got to this part I felt much, much better.  Throughout the museum,
I kept seeing kids with terrible face paintings and thought -- whoa, they
need to find a better artist for face painting.
I gave Nora an easy rainbow.

I gave Myles some whiskers.
Nora added some finishing touches.
(Side note: I have a really funny idea for next time.)

ROAR!