We've Got Rhythm!

After a lovely visit with Nana and Papa, we took a trip up to Indy to the Rhythm Discovery Center. We are trying to have a good and relaxing summer this year with lots of activities. It all started over the weekend with special visitors. Joe's parents came down here as a midpoint to St. Louis. We were able to spend a lot of time together, play, and venture around town. This was a very significant visit for Lucian, as it was his first time meeting them in person. You see, they have been living in Germany for the past several years since Lucian was born and were unable to meet him in person.  They did, however, talk frequently over the phone and via skype.  This was the first time face to face where they could actually interact and touch in person.  It was a lot of fun for everyone. I'm really glad that they met and had a great time. We look forward to the next visit.

As for rhythm discovery center, that was so much fun.  It is an interactive museum full of percussion instruments. There was almost no one there when we went, so we could play anything without waiting. It was fun to interact with everything. They had all different types of drums, shakers, gongs, bells, xylophones and some unique instruments, like the steel pan. Then there were different mallets you could choose from to make different sounds and effects. The museum displays were interspersed with these interactive instruments to keep people from touching the displays. The displays were interesting and educational. They talked about famous musicians and their specially designed instruments, how different cultures make and use certain instruments, and how certain instruments , such as the drum set, came to be. I didn't get to read all the information but it was fairly interesting. This was a good place to go for a few hours to learn about instruments and experiment with the sounds they make. I would certainly consider going back in the future. Can't wait to see where we will end up next!

Indy Zoo and Ice Cream

So we went to the zoo! On Saturday April 26th we scheduled a visit to the zoo. This was Lucian's first zoo experience (though we went to the aquarium previously in Seattle with his grandparents). It was a wonderfully hot day and Lucian broke his fever the day before from being sick. We debated on going, since it was so warm out, and ended up deciding to go. It was a good choice because we had a blast! Lucian did great, even in the sun, and was allowed to have as much ice cream as he desired. We didn't make it through the entire zoo because we were all getting tired of the sun and Lucian was still dragging from being sick. They do have a splash pad for the kids to play in which was nice in the heat. They also have little playground areas. It wasn't a very big zoo and some exhibits only had 1 or 2 animals.  I can't say I was overly impressed because instead of building a roller coaster ride they could update and expand some of the habitats. The dog show was pretty neat and provided a nice mid day shade break.  We did not go to any feedings or the dolphin show due to the crowd. We did end up having a good time, eating lots of ice cream, and taking a good amount of pictures. We even walked through the gardens next door to see the butterfly exhibit. Lucian was pretty excited about the butterflies and flowers. In the end: zoo = success.

On the way home we stopped out in Greenwood and visited their mall where he played with a group of kids.  We also stopped at toys'r'us since we don't have one in Bloomington. He showed a very strong interest in the powerwheel type vehicles. He specifically liked the red mini, which was surprising. Totally thought he'd go for the jeep. Future birthday present. *hint hint* We ended the day by stopping at Ritters for some quarts of custard to bring home. Joe picked those out of course. We were all exhausted after a wonderful family day.  I look forward to having more of those this summer. It really makes you realize how much you miss with school and work. I'm glad we have the opportunity to work and go back to school, but I'm even more grateful for the moments we have together as a family doing "normal" family things. We may not be a typical family, but I'm proud of what we have become and where we will go from here.