The Children's Museum

We love The Children's Museum! This was one of the first places we went to when we moved here. It is the biggest in the country and it is great. During this particular week I had two trips! One with a friend and her daughter during the school week and one two days later with all of the kids while Spencer was on call. These days happened to be the day before and after Spencer's birthday!

The carousel is always a big hit!

I love how this picture sums up the relationship of these girls (for that time). Anne trying be on her own, Jane being shooed away before it's her turn. 

Dressing up. 

Chris was there, too!

Ready to go in!

A virtual reality game in the Transformers exhibit. 

Everybody got their turn! (Not sure where Lilia's picture is.)

Take me there: China!

And the carousel!

The Playscape area is quite fun but for ages five and under. What is really nice is that they will give "helper" lanyards to older kids who go with their family. I was able to pair up Benny with Jane and Andy with Anne. Lilia was five but asked for the helper badge anyway. It was so sweet to see them really helping each other. I am so grateful they take the helping job seriously. 

Deep sea diving!

The Beard

Spencer has always had a great beard. It is nice and thick. And, my favorite (maybe?), it's red. I have always thought it's great and have been an advocate of his growing it out. He did "No Shave November" once (twice) in school and it was fun. Once he can get past the initial itchy stage, it's all good. This most recent beard began last November — the week of Thanksgiving. Chris (and probably Jane) would not recognize Spencer without his beard!

Occasionally Spencer will say something about shaving. The kids and I regularly vote him down. 

We found this picture with Spencer of the  first week he did not shave. That was taken November 2013. There were trims between these pictures, so this is not all the growth he had. 

When it was this long Spencer said he had random people stopping him to compliment him on how nice it looked. And it did. He still oils it every day. Spencer has since found a length he feels is more suited to him. It looks really great. 

Random fun at home

I am making the same case over and over again for recording everything more regularly. All of the pictures I take would be in much better context if I did. There are a lot of things presently that I would like to record, but I am making sure I catch up first. Thankfully it is going pretty quickly!

Pretty sure Anne was watching Mary Poppins here. A big favorite!

We got this outfit for Jane from a friend. I love it and think she looks so cute! Jane loves it because she can take it off and just be down to a diaper. Her preferred wardrobe choice. 

Beautiful kids!

Andy got these glasses from his primary teacher as a reward for good behavior. They are hilarious! I think the effect with his crooked teeth is great. 

Andy drew John Adams for school. His speech bubble says "Incredible!" Ever since watching "1776" last summer with Bubbe (Granny?), the kids have loved the Revolutionary War era. John Adams is definitely the favorite! 

Jane is always wrapping things around her neck and shoulders. We have dubbed them her prayer shawls. 

Lilia and Anne have had crowns for a while. I finally made one for Jane. And one for her baby. 

This guy crawled right out of his potato sack!

Spencer turns 32!!

Spencer was off on his birthday so we decided to celebrate with lunch at Panera!

The birthday boy!

Oh, Jane. 

 

If memory serves, Spencer made his own cake this year. 

I am so grateful to be able to celebrate this amazing man. Spencer really doesn't like a fuss made over him. Ever. But I like to make a little fuss. And it really is little. Especially when I order his gift too late and he doesn't have anything to open on his birthday from me. Our parents are great at birthdays and always send things, so it's not like he didn't have anything!

I have said many times (and am sure I will many more) that I cannot imagine a better match for me than Spencer is. We are both so far from perfect, but so perfect for each other. I won't get all gushy here, but I love Spencer so much. And I am grateful he allows us to celebrate his birthday as a family!