The Children's Museum in Jackson

One weekend afternoon, Josh surprised Eli and me with a trip to the Children's Museum in Jackson. He thought it would be something fun to do and would get us out of the house. Plus since it's a Children's Museum he knew that Eli would get to touch, play, and have lots of fun. We loaded up and headed to Jackson. Before getting to the museum we had lunch at Newk's. I'd be as big as a house if I lived close to that restaurant. I guess it's a good thing the closest ones to me are at least 2 hours away. After filling our bellies with good food, it was time to go explore. 

Eli's favorite part of the museum was the construction site. He always says that he's going to be a "worker man" one day and build things. He loved being able to operate the crane with his Daddy. They had a blast!

We found out Eli is not destined for the NBA because his jump shot is lacking...haha.

We learned all about the bones and how they move. Eli also got to take a trip down the model of a mouth and see how the stomach and intestines work. That was actually really funny because it included all kinds of poot noises guaranteed to make any little boy laugh. 

We tapped into the musical side of our brains next. Eli danced, played instruments, and sang songs. 

Then it was art time. Today's art was spin art. I remember doing this as a kid and I loving it. Eli seemed to really enjoy it too.

While his art was drying we went to the water station where Eli caught fish, built and raced boats, and much more. 

Digging up some bones

We picked up his completed piece of artwork and had time for him to do one last activity. He really wanted to do the large crane again, but it was full of kids. He settled on a smaller one and helped clear trees from the forest. He even allowed me to help :)

It was such a fun day with our little guy at the Children's Museum. We hope to visit again one day very soon! 

Family Pictures

On Sunday during Tinsley's birthday weekend celebration, the whole family went out to eat before Eli and I left to go back home. Grandma was going to be leaving this day as well headed back to Texas. We'd all had a great weekend and it was so good to see everybody. After we all ate, we took some impromptu family pictures with Grandma before leaving. They're not professional quality by any means, but they were fun :)

Grandma and the great grand babies

The whole family

Andrea's mom was goofing around trying to make Tinsley smile and as you can see 

Andrea especially found it hilarious. 

Andrea's mom with Tinsley and Jameson

Mom and Dad with the grand babies

Eli and Tinsley

Sweet Jameson

Tinsley's 2nd Birthday Party

As soon as school was over on Friday of our first week back in school, Eli and I loaded up and headed to my parents' house for Tinsley's second birthday celebration.  Tinsley ended up staying with us at Mom and Dad's house Friday night so Andrea could finish getting things ready for the party the next day. We had a huge group at Mom and Dad's because Kailey, Caleb, and my Grandma all came in town for Tinsley's party as well. Tinsley loved having everyone there. The next morning Kailey let Tinsley open her present before the party started. Tinsley was so happy to see that she got a Doc McStuffin's doctor kit. 

Andrea came and picked up Tinsley so she could take a nap before her party. Mom and Dad ran some last minute errands and I worked on the chalkboard sign for Tinsley's party. Pretty soon it was time to go to Josh and Andrea's house. It was party time!

Each kid (at heart) guest got some mouse ears to wear at the party.

My first attempt at chalkboard lettering was actually decent!

I really enjoyed doing it.

The sweet birthday girl

The theme for Tinsley's party this year was Minnie Mouse and between Andrea, my mom, and Kailey everything was just too precious! Everything was so cute!

These two LOVE each other so much :)

It makes my heart so happy to see them together.

When my parents moved about a year ago my grandmother moved as well. After living in Louisiana for her entire life, she decided to move in with my uncle (my mom's brother) in Texas. This was her first time back in Louisiana since she had moved and we were all so excited to see her. Grandma loved getting to love on all her grand babies :)

Before the party got really going Kailey and I took Tinsley out to the front to take some pictures of her in front of her sign. She wasn't really into pictures on this particular day, but I do feel like we got some that were pretty good.

I love my little mini me :)

We came inside and it was time to sing Happy Birthday and eat some cake. Tinsley was very excited about the cake part because that's all she had asked for when people asked what she wanted for her birthday.

Next up was opening gifts. Tinsley had plenty of help from Eli :)

Every time she opened something she'd get really serious and then exclaim, "OH.MY.GOOOSH!" It was the cutest thing every!

After presents, we went outside to play in the jumper. We all had so much fun!

Jameson decided to sleep in front of the fan.

It was such a great day celebrating this precious, little girl who entered our world two years ago. She is such a huge piece of my heart. I love her so much and I'm so thankful that she's in our lives! Happy Birthday, Tinsley! Manna loves you so much!