We’re Going to Mars, Part I
Big field-trip day at daycare on April 13th, Ian looks ready to go!
Here we are at the museum. Mostly because I’m writing this here, I’ll never forget that one of the museum staff gave me crap about my kid sitting on my lap. She said her name was Mrs. B. I made up words for the “B” in my head. They weren’t kind words. Anyway, it turns out the museum had an entire exhibit about making the trip to Mars! See this image larger.
Ian figured out he could make a whoosh noise by squeezing this bottle. It turns out we wouldn’t have these kinds of advancements if we hadn’t had the space program. See this image larger.
Time to try on the helmet!
It fits!
Apparently walking on Mars would not be entirely unlike walking on a couple of sponges strapped to your feet. I had no idea!
This particular leap reminds me of a certain “Boojamas” picture from a few years back. See this image larger.
Ian had a fun time messing with this stuff! See this image larger.
Finally it was time to go out and see the exhibit, or so I thought. See this image larger.
Instead Ian got to play with these light-up legos and a few other things in a small room. I couldn’t believe we paid money for this, but then somebody mentioned that we would be getting a voucher to get into the exhibit “free” on a different date. (“Free” was still a bit of a misnomer, but it was better than just seeing this one room.) See this image larger.
There’s a merry-go-round at the museum, and Ian enjoyed his ride! See this image larger.
I asked the horse if he enjoyed his ride, and he said “neigh.” See this image larger.
You might want to look at this picture bigger, as the look of excitement is very evident on Ian’s face. He had a great time! We bought a book, and decided that we would come back in a few weeks for Part II! See this image larger.
I’d heard about a small park that overlooked the landing airplanes at the airport… Ian and I spent a few minutes there, waiting for Mommy to come back from California. I found it on instinct, which was good, because there sure weren’t any signs pointing it out. See this image larger.
I forget why, but I was out of energy that week, so Mommy had to come home from her trip and give our kids a bath. Sorry Mommy! (EDIT – scratch that, I remember exactly why — The first of a few viruses started hitting me at this point, but I didn’t realize it. This one basically did not allow me to bend my knees or flex fingers or toes without arthritis-level pain. It lasted about a week-and-a-half.) See this image larger.
Nina tries for the “Buckwheat.” See this image larger.
Ian couldn’t look more manic if he tried…
I take that back.
Nina shows us her washcloth.
Our little cutie! See this image larger.
Our handsome boy! See this image larger.
April 8th, Melissa reads the kids a bedtime story. 
Ian sleeps peacefully. 
April 9th. Ok this one is going to be hard to explain. There’s a show called Yo Gabba Gabba that Nina watches that has big goofy characters with gigantic eyes and huge smiles. One of the characters is named Muno. Nina looked into Victoria’s Secret as we walked through the mall, saw the half-mannequins, and said “Muno’s family!” For the sake of clarification, I’ll spell this out: the bras and panties made eyes and smiles. 
April 10th… we juuuust dropped Mommy off at the airport, and I decided to check the Home Depot in the area for hinges to continue the War On Brass. This particular Home Depot had racing car shopping carts. I pointed one out to the kids from the car, and they seemed mildly excited. I walked out and grabbed it and by the time I turned around, the kids had somehow worked themselves into some kind of punch-drunk frenzy. 
We went on to have a great shopping trip, despite our sadness at Mommy leaving town to go all the way to California! 
Awww! 
The “wearing a diaper on your head” fashion trend continues… who started this ridiculousness? None can say. (Daddy did!) I SAID “NONE CAN SAY.” 
Ian enjoys a moderately warm day, a nice one for April. 
This is a shot from April 3rd as a sort of bonus. Did you ever wonder how a little two-year-old could take up 90% of the bed? Mystery solved! 
April 8th, and we got a package from Aunt Jill! 
There was a card! 
Nina got a fluffy bunny and a sucker! 
And Ian got an alligator! 
Look out! 
Soon it was time to dress up and head out to church! 
Too bad this one was blurry, but we got some other shots of Nina with her cute hat on! 
As we’re leaving church! 
There was cuteness and anticipation in the air! 
*Pardon me, would you like to read some literature about Jesus?* 
When we got home, Grampa Dave and Gramma Marcia had hoppity-hop hopped over from Southgate – it was Easter Egg Huntin’ time! 
Ooh here’s one! 
And another! 
Got one! 
Oooh I bet this is a good one! 
Ian still lights up like a lightbulb during this activity, which is awesome. 
Good to see that little boy show up from time-to-time! 
The hunt continues! 
This was hilarious… we worked our way to the backyard, and suddenly the eggs got much, much bigger! 
How’d that happen? 
Almost perfect picture… if only I could have leaned a bit and caught Nina in there too! 
Treasure in tow, Nina heads back to the house to get a better looksy! 
That’s a heavy bag! 
THERE’S CANDY IN THESE, NINA! AND STICKERS AND MICKY MOUSE!!! 
Thank you, Grampa Dave and Gramma Marcia, for taking this lovely shot of the four of us!! 
An upside-down shot, just for kicks! 
Grampa Dave, Gramma Marcia and the kids shell out the grins! 
We love you guys! Thanks for the Easter Egg Hunt! We know that takes a lot of extra work, you’re awesome! 
Nina looking cute, but it might be time to switch into something more casual! 
Having fun with a toy that Grampa and Gramma brought!
Ian got a cool R2-D2 microscope! 
How’s this work, Grampa? (I ask Grampa Dave the same thing all the time, but I call him Dad!) 
Bunny! 
Grampa Dave reads Ian a book about the solar system! 
Nina shows Gramma Marcia her fridge! *This is the freezer. Keeps stuff cold. Like seriously cold.* 
Ian lookin’ cute in his dress-up shirt! 
Diggin’ through some legos! 
This book with a cut-out allows us to see how much Nina enjoys being read to! 
Grampa Dave and Ian meet up in a tunnel! 
We had great fun with Grampa and Gramma, thanks so much for making the trip! (Here, Nina uses a toy as a makeshift healing machine, checking each of my toes. Um… thanks?) 
The boys next door and Ian go for a spin! 
What a beautiful boy he is! 
April 1st, and who is that little cutie with the flower-thingy in her hair? 
Hey, hey! Who said you could take that off? 
We’ve got at least another 3 pictures to take in this photoshoot young lady! 
She looks like such a proper lady! 
Thanks for sticking around to pose! 
*Can I take this off yet?* 
April 2nd, Nina has a nice breakfast at her table. 
April 3rd, an Easter package from Aunt Mel! 
Chaos ensues! 
And there was much happiness in the land! 
At this point it wouldn’t surprise me if Nina was learning how to read in this picture. 
Ian gets right to building! 