Midwest Keech

We have a place here in Bloomington called Pro Putt Family Fun Center. Adam got a free ticket from the library's summer reading program. AND...on Wednesdays, they have a special that adults get in free with a paid child admission. Oh, did I mention that 3 & under are free?? So, let's see. We took Grandma, Grandpa, Me, Adam, Amelia, Adelaide, Allison, cousin Ryan & cousin griffin, and we paid $15. Yup...15 bucks for 6 kids & 3 adults. Who could beat that for an afternoon packed full of fun? It's a very fun place to play. There's a big Playplace thing (like @ McDonald's) for the kids to climb in & explore. There is an arcade with a ton of games set to "free play". And of course, there is mini-golf (it is "Pro Putt" after all ). They also have a room with "Cosmic Golf" (glow-in-the-dark). It's great, because (for the most part) the kids all go & do what they want. This left time for Grandma to kick Grandpa's b...

Popcorn + Paper bag + Microwave = Mmmmm ... The other night, I made some caramel popcorn. I got the recipe when one of my friends did an enrichment mini-class on "gifts that taste good". You know...We ALL need more ideas than just a plate of cookies. It's a great recipe & pretty easy too. You end up with kind of a "Cracker Jacks" type of popcorn (not usually as dark though). Here's the recipe. Try it! Microwave Caramel Popcorn You need about 16 C popped popcorn. I used 2 bags of microwave popcorn - which is a little less I think. Put the popped popcorn into a paper grocery bag. Place 1/2 C butter, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 C brown sugar & 1/4 C light corn syrup into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high 1-2 minutes until caramel mixture bubbles. Stir, then cook 3 minutes more - stirring after each minute. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda & 1 tsp vanilla and stir. Pour mixture all over popcorn in paper bag. Fold the bag down several times (so it fits back in microwave...

On Sunday, we took a little day-trip with my in-laws who are visiting from AZ. We went to see the Abraham Lincoln Home, the Train Depot and Lincoln's Tomb. It was interesting, but hard to entertain little ones who don't know/care who Abraham Lincoln was. Here's the Lincoln home. One of Lincoln's sons (?) sold it to the Government for $1, with the condition that they could never charge an admission & it should be staged as if it was the year that Lincoln left Springfield to campaign for the presidency. Here's a pic of Bry's mom. The railing on the stairs was apparently "original". Ooooo ...I touched the same rail as Abe Lincoln. Cool. We went by the Presidential Library, but decided that there really wasn't anything for kids & we didn't have anything in mind to research. Here's my nephew, Ryan. I thought this was the funniest sign. I know the context is railroad cars, but I still thought it was funny. We also went to Lincoln's ...

I know... Both of these clips are of Allison. But, she is just SO entertaining sometimes. What do you do in the car on a road trip? Apparently, this is what goes on in the carseat that I don't usually get to see from the front seat. Allison LOVES her Baby. In fact, she sleeps with this doll every night. She thought it was great fun to put her Baby in the drawer of the hotel nightstand & slam it shut. No fingers were injured or pinched in the process. I know I MAY be biased, but I have the cutest kids. As much as they drive me crazy sometimes, I love them all very much.

Last weekend, we dropped our friend off at the airport in St.Louis. I got to ride in the backseat with the kids. Isn't she a cutie? After we left the airport, we had lunch and went to the Magic House Children's Museum. Here are some pics. Adam tried to enclose himself in a bubble. - I think we need more soap. Amelia & Adelaide were excited to paint some pictures...with actual paint! Adam tried to see how fast he could do a wheelchair. I think it was a little harder than he expected. Amelia HAD to try too. I love this pic...She always seems to have her tongue out when she's concentrating. Adelaide & Amelia went shopping at the "Market". "Cheese!" There was a little baby area for Allison to play. She found this tiny little "ball-pit". She quickly lost interest after falling in head-first. She was stuck! Too funny! The girls really liked this big vinyl (?) slide. They climbed up & slid down over & over. Adam really liked playing in...

An update on the status of the Purple Monkey... He has been flat & laying on the ground for (at least) the past 3 days that the kids have noticed. Because my in-laws are visiting, whenever we go somewhere, we take 2 cars. Amelia & Adam have been taking turns riding with Grandma. When we got home, one of these evenings, Amelia made a point of telling Adelaide that the Purple Monkey was flat & did she see him laying on the ground etc. I have NO idea how or why my kids have become SO fixated on this thing. I only blog it, because I think it is so funny & cute. My 12 year old nephew questioned why the girls liked the Purple Monkey so much. It's really an unexplainable phenomenon. We were driving in Springfield , IL yesterday. Adelaide asked if we were going home. I told her we were. Then she asked, "Is this the Purple Monkey way?"

For those who don't know, my in-laws & 2 nephews have been visiting us this week. This is one reason I haven't had a chance to blog. Yesterday was a good day. Grandma took all the grandkids (minus Allison) to see Space Chimps. They LOVED it. This is a regular ritual for grandma, and Adam has really missed it. Later, we went to State Farm Pool to swim. Now, you have to understand that we went to the pool on Thursday & FROZE! It was a nice day (maybe 75 degrees) and a little breezy. The water was warm, but you were freezing when you got out. Yesterday, it was great. We swam for a while, then ate dinner. Then, the kids swam some more. The boys all psyched themselves up to going off the diving board & trying the big, red slide. Well, they LOVED it! I sat watching them for 45 minutes or so. They just slid then went right up to do it again. Adam jumped off the diving board & then got out and back to jump again. Crazy. This is a little video clip of the boys and the bi...