Spring Break 2017

Last Monday we headed down to Indy right after lunch.  Andrew drove while the kids and I slept during our designated nap time.  We arrived at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum just as the main crowd was heading out.  We took a quick run down the Willy Wonka Chocolate slide before heading into the Circus exhibit.

Mom, Christine and I spent most of our time juggling.  I have faint memories of my mom teaching me to juggle when Derick and I were young. We had lots of fun brushing up on a rusty, underdeveloped skill.

We also all tried the family ladder.  I was able to hold up Mom and Christine AND move them in and out a few times will complete control.  My arms were sore the rest of our trip!  Andrew and Dad also performed amazing feats of strength.

Emily and Nathan were a bit overwhelmed by all the commotion.  Eventually Emily did settle in a try a few things.

We went next to the astronaut exhibit, which was a highlight for all of us.  We saw a short movie about the Liberty Bell and the first trip to and from space.  I now am adding space exploration history to my list of things to read about soon.

Nathan loved the movie and Emily was a bit scared.

The last few minutes were spent at the train exhibits.  Nathan LOVES trains, with his whole body and soul it seems.  He got so excited finding and watching them. Emily joined in eventually and then we went and rode the big train and played with the trains.

Monday night finished with dinner and struggling to get the kids to go to bed for a couple of hours.

Tuesday morning we had a slow start. After breakfast we walked across the street to go to Kohls for a quick shopping trip.  We went to the Indy Art Museum at 11 and spent four hours there.  The majority of the exhibits covered periods of art I have never heard of.

The kids did pretty well, but after two hours we found the children’s space.  Nathan’s favorites were building with blocks and playing with the huge light bright.  Emily’s favorites were playing with the iPad, taping and drawing at the art table, and playing with magnetic tiles with Aunt Christine.

We stayed with the kids in shifts.  Andrew and I went off to explore a design exhibit while the kids stayed with the grandparents.  The question at the beginning is the premise of a graduate class Andrew recently took.

Around 3pm we realized we hadn’t eaten lunch.  We brought in our packed meal and had a picnic in the empty museum cafe.  We all played for awhile with the little cars I made at the kids art center.

Nathan was so tired.

That evening we had pizza for dinner and then my dad, mom, and Christine went to a trampoline place.  Our little family played at the hotel, indulged in an episode of fixer upper, and went to bed.

In the morning I worked out with my dad before the kids woke up and then we all went to get breakfast.  We all packed up and cleaned up our rooms and then played a harry potter deck building game until we had to check out at noon.  My parents graciously took Andrew to the airport on their way back to Iowa and I headed home with the kids.

A brief but wonderful trip!

Thank you Mom, Christine, and Andrew for sharing your photos!