We're All About That Moose...

Every Christmas our family, along with my siblings and their families, gather at my parent's house for food, fellowship and fun.  Several years ago, my mom started a tradition of having us all play bingo together for silly prizes.  Each year the loot gets a little larger and more outrageous.  But one staple we can always count on is the Moose - a candy dispenser (a flick of the tail bring a treat) and grand prize for cover all.  Later, the winner's name is etched onto a plate and fixed to the moose.  However, since my sister moved to Colorado, it has been a few years since we've all been together.  This year her family joined us for Thanksgiving.  The kids really had a great time hanging out and playing together, but it wasn't a turkey that held the spotlight...

So much so...I decided to express it in song by creating a parody of Meghan Trainor's hit "All About That Bass"

Because you know we're all about that moose,
'Bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose

Yeah it's pretty clear, we ain't no chess pros
But gram can call it, call it like she's supposed to do
'Cause she's got that spin spin that all of us chase
All the right primes in all the called spaces
We see the wound-up-kids eyein' that pile of loot
We know that stuff ain't great
Come on now, call it out
If you got bingo bingo just raise 'em up
'Cause every card you play may win you
A stuffed Webkin or a top
Yeah, now gramma she told us don't worry about your card
She says, hey I got a lot'a more prizes just hold on tight
You know Grif wants the toy Thor-figure, Olivia candy bars,
Jack, if that's what you're into
Then go ahead put it on

Because you know We're all about that moose,
'Bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose

We're bringing moosey back... 

every year.

Steve won a batch of Brian's "apple pie" moonshine.

Hayden tries on his prize for size.

Happy girl

Brian - holds his excitement in.

Jack won a Browning Christmas stocking but decided it made a better hat.

Jack and his booty.

Griffin won -- he'll be taking his prize back to CO., but he'll
be bringing moosey back next year.

Mother's Day Wrap Up 2014

Mother's Day weekend was filled with lots surprises...most of them good, but some just left me feeling all wet...literally.  On Friday, when I turned on the bathroom faucet, it broke off in my hand at full blast. I tried unsuccessfully to turn off the water beneath the sink and in the process dropped my phone into the geyser.  Natalie, who had been home sick, watched in horror as the water continued to gush and pour down into the basement. Unable to reach Steve, I tried to follow the water lines that snaked through our 85 year old basement, in hopes of shutting off the main.  In the end, I enlisted help from a neighbor and together we were able to stop the flow.

This year marked my 11th Mother's Day and if gifts followed traditional wedding anniversary gifts, I should have received steel...which I did in the form of a brand new stainless steel faucet. 

Things could only get better, right?

Saturday was a steamy 85, but the sun was just what I needed to brighten my day.  The kids' school was hosting a family picnic complete with carnival games, cotton candy and a dunking booth.  Natalie and I ran the Angry Birds game for awhile before trying out some of the games ourselves.  Next, we headed to Miriam School for their new student picnic as Noah will be transferring there in the Fall. We feasted on hot dogs, potato chips and Ted Drewes under canopies set up on the school playground.  We played more games and I marveled at how quickly my two could jostle the contents of their lunch without worry as they jumped and whooped it up in the bounce house.

 

Natalie ready to run the show

The Techno Bubble Bus was a hit at the Miriam party.

Sunday I woke up to Natalie whispering, "Happy Mother's Day," in my ear. This was followed by "I'm going to talk to Noah about not having any tantrums today."

As I entered the kitchen I found Steve making crepes stuffed with strawberries, chocolate and whipped cream. 

I could get used to this.

For my special day, I just wanted to spend it outside with my family.  We loaded up the kids' scooters and headed to a portion of Grant's Trail that we had never been -- Backstoppers Park.  It was a short ride to Sappington House and the kids were happy to find another StL250 cake and explore the area.   Once we'd seen all we could see, we headed back to the car and stopped in at Culver's for lunch.

Enjoying the ride along Grant's trail.

Cake time!

Skipping stones at Sappington House

Sappington House gardens

Beside the trail the kids stopped in for a spin.

Culver's offered free, two scoop sundaes to all moms on Mother's Day.

For our final destination, we took the kids to a place we had never been - Myseum.  A uniquely interactive play center that is part indoor playground, part science center.  Located in Town and Country in the Lamp and Lantern Shopping Center, we had the place practically to ourselves.  We spent the afternoon cheering as the kids sailed down the radar slide that flashed their M.P.H and worked together to build and direct the path of a ball down a magnetic wall.  We pretended to dig up fossils in the dino area and made a lot of noise trying out a myriad of instruments including; a whale drum, laser harp and a wrenchaphone.

You could say we ended things on a high note.

 

An interactive video system fuses science and art.
Here Natalie breaks apart the pieces on the screen using a foam tube.

Working on the magnetic wall.

Why pretend to be a zoo keeper when you can be a zoo animal?

Noah experiments with teeny tiny magnets.

Noah in LEGO heaven.

A Seed Has Been Planted

"Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child's growth as vitamins."

Joyce Allston

A few weeks ago my folks made a surprise visit to our house and offered to take the kids to see Art in Bloom at the St. Louis Art Museum.  While I was thrilled for my children to have this rare one-on-one time with my parents -- neither kid was convinced they would enjoy the excursion.  For weeks I had been trying to get our family to visit the museum during their "Family Sundays".

Every Sunday afternoon The St. Louis Art Museum invites families to drop in between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. for hands-on art activities and a lively 30-minute tour through the Galleries.

But, each time I broached the subject, the kids put on an act that would make even

SNL Whiners cover their ears. So, being the democratic parent that I am, I gave them a choice -- visit the museum with their grandparents or stay home and scrub floors and clean the toilet with me.

As the kids made a bee-line to their grandparent's car -- I pulled my mom aside and told her "thank you, good luck...see ya in an hour."

She brushed off my comment and confidently pointed her chin at my camera sitting on the table, "I need a camera."

In that moment I knew, she had fully accepted the challenge and would use her super-powers that only grandparents possess -- to make sure my kids not only had a good time at the museum, but would want to return again. And, she planned on bringing home proof of it. 

While  their car pulled out of the driveway, I waved and breathed a sigh knowing she would work her magic once again as I remembered she is the same woman who taught my picky, "I only like processed meat and cheese" son to try and LOVE hummus.  She's also the same person who convinced my nephew (2 at the time) that green beans were really just green French fries...the Art Museum would be no big whoop.

In the end, Natalie truly loved the exhibit, made up of more than 30 floral interpretations of artistic masterpieces.  She really "got it" and enjoyed sharing with her grandma what similarities she found between the floral arrangements and the art.  And while Noah wasn't as excited about the displays, he did enjoy viewing the mummy collection and various battle armor exhibits.

Success. 

Thanks Mom and Dad for helping me plant the seed.

A little apprehensive but no one is crying here.

Natalie and Grandma Mary

 

 

Celebrating with their first StL250 cake...only 249 more to go!