countdown to noon

11:59, that is when we got to the foyer of the Children's Museum for their countdown to noon.  We were a minute early due to starting the day with me running 4 miles at our gym followed by me getting dressed and ready while the kids put together a Frozen puzzle that Princess got for Christmas.  It took a little twisting of Champ's arm to help him see that Princess had been playing Champ's Sorry game a lot more than he had been playing any of her Christmas toys.

By the time we arrived at the museum, we had to park far away as most of the close lots were full.  We were so far away that I made wearing coats mandatory.  Since I didn't want to carry the coats in the museum and all the lockers were full, we had to wait in line to get our coats checked, a first for us.  We arrived in time to see all the confetti drop.  We soon found the Chick Fil A cows.  I was shocked to see Princess woud pose by the girl cows that she said were so pretty.

We enjoyed some time in Science Works after mom secured tickets to the play for all of us and rock climbing tickets for Champ.

Princess was thrilled to be on the carousel and Champ took a selfie.

We ran into some friends from church who have 3 boys in their family.  Champ played some with their family while Princess and I got a head start at Jolly Days.  She liked ice skating in her socks.  I think she reinacted Frozen in the ice castle.  Champ completed a scavenger hunt when he joined us before he and I played Checkers while Princess played in the kitchen.

We ran into friends from our old church as we waited for the Suessified Christmas Carol to begin.  They helped snap some photos.

We quickly scooted from the play in the lower level to rock climbing on the fourth floor.

Looking tough before he begins

Getting tips from the employee

Mom, the unsung hero, who holds the ropes and encourages the climber.  good picture, Princess!

It was a challenge, but he eventually made it to the top.

He collapsed in exhaustion when he reached the bottom.

Our last visited exhibit was Playscape.  Then we headed to the parade that begins on the top floor of the museum and shuffles the kids out of the museum in a fun way.

State Historical Society

We began our day with 2 hours of play time at the gym.  Most of the time included play time with friends.

We ate a lunch I packed as we headed to the IN Historical Society.  We loved looking at all their Christmas trees and voting on our favorite ones, although Princess said they were all her favorite.

I was excited to learn that this fine place let's teachers in for free too!

Pretty Packages

Visions of Sugar Plums

Preparing for the Flood

Indy Eleven

Holidays are Popping

That Ayres Look

Santa's Workshop

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Mass Ave Toys Christmas

A Bird in the Hand

Orange is the New Red

Monday

The kids have played many games of Sorry since Champ got it for Christmas.  I love when they can get along and play together.

Champ has been so busy putting together a Batman Lego set.  Unfortunately, he has woken me up a couple of mornings because he wanted me to work on it with him.

It was good to have a day to play with toys, get organized, and do errands.  I also ran 4 miles at the gym in the morning.

Christmas at the Zoo

We began our adventure inside by a beautiful tree.

Don't the kids make cute peguins?

The kids loved the scavenger hunt.  Princess helped find the numbers, and brother wrote down the answers.

The zoo has reindeer!

The kids loved watching the meerkats, while I enjoyed the warmth of the dessert exhibit.

The tiger walked right behind the kids.  (I was playing around with some of the features on my camera.)

We tried so hard to be patient as we waited for the dolphin show to begin.  Champ took a selfie.

The kids posed with a penguin of lights.

Both kids got soaking wet from trying to pet the sharks.  I'm surprised that Princess didn't try to swim with the sharks.  Both kids were successful in touching the sharks.

The seals were attracted to a toy that someone had let us borrow.  They must have been able to hear a noise the toy made.

Princess was especially fascinated by the penguins.

The zoo has beautiful lights on display.

There were a couple of spots for the kids to do crafts.  Here the kids are making bells to ring in the new year.  

Champ was brave enough to get close to the lion for a picture.  When I asked Princess if she wanted to say hi to the lion, she replied that she was too busy.

I love creating special memories with my kids and having traditions of places we visit around the holidays.