Kid's Discovery Museum - Bainbridge Island

Upstairs in the museum is the "physics room". There are all kinds of things that move for various reasons. Here Carson is putting golf balls on a ramp and watching them fly down into a collection area. In the second picture you can actually see the ball flying off the ramp into the container. I think he could have spent all day in this area.

Outside at the museum was a water-play area. There was a bubble table and a table with lots of things to scoop water up and out. Carson was playing with the big boys at this table, and fit right in! (little guy in red shirt!)

Carson loved this little "smart car" so much. He didn't want to leave it, until he saw the play area with dump trucks and the hard hat. He kept say "hard hat Pete", which is a book Kristin bought for him. Unfortunately, there was only one hat and he thought it was HIS hat. We had to keep an eye on him, in case one of the other children got the same idea!

The bark-looking stuff was actually recycled rubber. The kids loved shoveling it up and they were not dirty when they were done. The painted murals were lovely and seemed to be a page from a picture book that came to life for Carson, especially.

The store was fully stocked with all kinds of very real looking fruits, vegetables, canned goods, bread (that Ruby tried to take a bite out), fish, and milk. They both enjoyed filling up the little carts and pushing them all over

Ruby got a kick out of this giant mouth and toothbrush. She brushed those pearly-whites, just like at home. (This area was doctor's offices)

If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you will see that Ruby's tongue is out as she works. I have often noticed then when she is concentrating, her tongue is out --

I realize that many of the pictures are of Carson because Kristin and I split up kids and I had the camera and I had Carson most of the time! Ruby truly had a great time as well, but not many photos to prove it.

http://www.kidimu.org/

4th of July Weekend!

Kristin, Casey and the twins were at our house July 1-5th and it was such fun. Here is a bit of verbiage before I post all the fun photos. Fourth of July on Bainbridge Island can be very exciting, especially with our view of all the many fireworks, including our neighbor's. We have a parade with a fair afterwards downtown by the waterfront. The official fireworks in Seattle start at 10PM (because we are so much further north from where I grew up in S. Calif where our fireworks started at 9PM.) I wasn't sure how the twins would handle everything, including sleeping arrangements. In the past we have put Ruby in the master closet, with their parents sleeping in that room and Carson in Kat's room. This time Casey and Kristin decided to put them together in Kat's room because both Kristin and Casey had been sick and were coughing a lot at night. The twins haven't slept in the same room since they were 6 months old (or younger). Because it stays light so long and gets light so early in the AM, Casey hung blankets over the blinds to ensure darkness for the kiddos. (It was dark as a cave -- a red cave since one blanket was red!) For the past few weeks Carson has been putting up a fuss when it is bedtime. This time was not an exception. We got both of them in their pack and play cribs, binkies, softie and glow worm all in place -- and Carson started his crying. We had a monitor downstairs to listen for them. Carson cried and Ruby laughed. She was chuckling to herself and singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Finally we heard her say "Carson sit down!" "Carson sit down!" She was obviously tired and wanted it quiet so she could get to sleep. (neither had napped on the 4 hour car ride to Grammy's house). In just a few moments, Carson must have laid back down and quieted himself and all was well! Each of the 4 nights went very well, and that is a huge plus when they are not in their own cribs and rooms. We did have to separate them at nap times, since they couldn't quiet down enough to sleep. As soon as we put Ruby in the other room, both slept for 3 hours! Kristin and I took the kids to the brand new children's museum on Bainbridge Island that opened a few weeks ago. Wow, someone must of had deep pockets to fund that! It was so much fun with all the interactive children's things. I have lots of photos from that day to post. On the 4th we all went to my church, but Kristin ended up staying in the nursery because Carson was too upset. Ruby goes into any new situation and has such fun playing and enjoying new toys and friends. Carson, on the other hand, doesn't! Instead of going to the parade (they had not brought the stroller because the car was too packed), we took the kids to one of the parks on the island that is made just for kids. We wore the kids out there for several hours and there are lots of pictures from that time to view. Our weather wasn't real good for most of the 4 days. Kristin and Casey took the twins to the beach, even when it was raining. But one day it warmed up enough and we all sat on the beach while the kids tossed rocks in the water and generally had a wonderful time. I think they will truly enjoy the beach in years to come. Hours of fun for all! Katharine and Greg came over to enjoy a bar-b-que on the 4th. They took a walk on the beach even though it was sprinkling. Kat, Greg and I bundled up in blankets and sat on the deck to enjoy the fireworks. Kristin was concerned that the noise would awaken the kids, but they slept right through it all -- and many of the neighbor's fireworks were so loud, I put my hands over my ears. We were so surprised they slept the entire night! Next year they will be old enough to stay up and see the display in the sky! I hope we can make a tradition of having the family for the 4th because it is real special time for families and lots of fun.

Carson's First Professional Soccer Game

Kristin and Carson had a fun date to the Portland Timbers soccer game with her BFF, Stacie and her son Chase. Carson was so enamored with all the sights, sounds and smells. He kept saying "soccer ball game, soccer ball game!"

Auntie Kat's Slippers

Ruby found Auntie Kat's slippers and came walking into the kitchen, very proud of herself. So cute!

World Cup Soccer!

Two fun soccer facts. First, this little guy is Chase and belongs to Kristin's BFF, Stacie and her husband, Nik. Nik is the athletic trainer for the Portland Timbers soccer team. Doesn't Chase look like a soccer playing in-training! Then one of Kristin's friends from high school, Katie Mac is in South Africa with her fiance at the World Cup. I keep looking for her when I have soccer on TV, but so far all I see are crazy Americans with red, white and blue all over their bodies -- and maybe one of those crazy Americans was Katie, but I couldn't tell? (If you look down in February 2010 at Random Cuteness, you will see Carson holding one of the official World Cup soccer balls that Adidas made especially for this event, but it's a minature one and very difficult to get!)

High-fashion Gardening. What else would you expect?

Trying To Make A Clean Get-away on Sister's Bike!

Ahhh -- Another Warm Day!

We have had such lousy weather so far this spring. It's nice to have a warm day and I see Carson and Rubes are enjoying it on their deck. Yummy....... (That's another one of Kristin's shirts that I saved that Carson is wearing. She was born in Boston - New England Memorial Hospital. Sure makes me smile!)

Ruby & Emma -- (a few more!)

A few cute ones of Emma and Ruby -- cousins enjoying the party. (Megan took these) Ruby is 3 months older than Emma (just like Megan is 3 months older than Kristin). It will be fun watching the girls grow up together (and Carson too).

More Cake Pictures

My niece, Megan, took these pictures at the birthday party. They are too cute to leave out. Thanks Meggie!

Baby Statistics

The twins had their two year old check-ups and they are doing great. Ruby is 36” long in the 95% and 30 pounds at 86% Carson is 35” long in the 68% and 27.5 pounds at 49%

At Home With New Toys

On their actual birthday, June 6th, Kristin gave Ruby twin baby-dolls for her new stroller.

Grandpa Bill and Grammy Julee gave the kids riding toys that Casey put together. However, it was pouring rain, so they got to test drive them in the garage. They were a hit!

Auntie Kat gave Carson the little dog and he made it dance. I think he danced himself dizzy!

Water Fun In The Afternoon

At the birthday party when most of the friends had left and after their naps the weather was even warmer, so Gramma Carrie got out the new Frog-pool for the kids to try. Carson was very interested in helping her blow it up. Ruby was being slathered with sunscreen, since it was so warm. Little Maddie was a four year friend of Aunt Lindsey and the kids sure enjoyed playing with a big friend. That little pool was barely big enough for their 3 bottoms, but they didn't seem to mind. (Thank you Papa Ray for bringing pans of warm water from the kitchen)

Ruby And Her New Babies and Stroller

Auntie Kat got Ruby a double baby-doll stroller plus a Mini Mouse doll and a Glow-worm.(thank you Greg for putting it together) When Ruby saw it for the first time she thought it was for her, and promtply sat in it. Then we showed her that it was for her babies and she got the idea. When Carson saw it, he pushed the babies around like he was in a race.