A Presidential Playdate

Okay, so I must admit... I didn't actually plan out this educational adventure.

Our original plan was a playdate at the Aquarium, but just as we arrived, the skies opened up and the rain forced a change in plans.

Conveniently across the street is a temporary Presidential Museum and since it's a traveling exhibit, we decided to check it out.

We had the whole place to ourselves and our own personal tour guide.

The windows of the White House were actually tactile discovery boxes.

The kids enjoyed trying to figure out what presidential themed items were located inside.

Playing in the "Oval Office."

Gabby enjoyed playing under the desk and it made for some comical conversation.

We also boarded the "Air Force One."

Gotta love that it's made by Boeing!

The kids riding First Class...

and finally.... photos of us exiting Air Force One.

It truly was a cute and educational exhibit.

A great way to spend a few hours on a rainy day!

North Carolina Pictures

If you're looking for our vacation pictures, I decided to post them on Facebook. Sorry, Kelli! You'll actually have to log on. I was going to post them here just for you, but I'm feeling too lazy to duplicate :)

Over 4,000 pictures taken in June...

No, I'm not actually going to bore you with all of them!

I've really been slacking with my blog lately and I attribute it to a few things.

First of all, the summer routine has been so relaxing. With all the extra time on my hands, it's been increasingly difficult to manage it.... no schedule or alarm clocks (unless you count the kids!)

My second reason is the sheer amount of pictures I've taken. Once I realized that I'd taken so many, I lost hope that I'd ever find the energy to sort or blog them.

Finally, there's Facebook and sometimes I feel like I'm duplicating efforts by maintaining both, but here it goes...

A sampling of those 4,000 plus photos taken in July.

I couldn't help but to start with this picture of Gabby.

Sam nearly had a heart attack when he saw her in this.

He's already looking forward to winter!

Gabby wearing more hand-me-downs from Vivi

Amanda and I at Vanessa's Birthday Celebration.

Somewhere in my 4,000 photo files there are several pictures of the birthday girl, but I'll have to add them at a later date.

Gavin and Zach giving Savannah a birthday hug.

The boys playing arcade games at Savannah's party

Gabby at Vanessa's house. She snuck into her master bath and started applying make-up.

Gotta love the mascara on her lips!

My kitchen tools being used as musical instruments

Gabby playing water guns with her brothers... she was so filthy!

My sweet boys down at the harbor

The Coast Guard Boat was a big hit at one of the local park events.

and the scenery was nice :)

The boys did a great job climbing the rock wall

Zachary was especially proud of himself

More smiles from Gabby.

Don't ask me why she's on my kitchen table.

She's always up to something.

I caught her getting into a pack of gum.

and here she is sneaking a few sips of the boys Icee.

Zachary being his normal silly self.

This kid can eat a whole can of olives in one sitting.

My little lady having a tea party in her pjs.

Gotta love her hand expression. I didn't even notice it until I downloaded the pictures.

At mommy's computer

(a regular occurrence!)

When I found the bathroom cabinet open I went to look for her and this is what I found.

Gavin protecting his sister with his homemade Zoob gun.

Gavin and Zach playing Leapster together.

I just love it when I find them playing so nicely together.

I can't remember if I ever posted this picture, but I just love Gavin's sweet smile :)

Gavin is growing up so fast. We've really enjoyed having him home with us all day this summer. I'm going to miss him when school starts again.