Klimahaus - Bremerhaven

We were very fortunate while Grandma and Grandpa were here to go on a few outings as a family. One of the places that we went was Klimahaus in Bremerhaven. And, man, is that place cool.

The main attraction of the Klimahaus is a trip around the world on the 8th Meridian East beginning in Bremerhaven and traveling on from there to Switzerland. 

See the gold line on the floor? That's the 8th Meridian. See that funky discoloration and choppiness of the photo? That's my faulty camera...

We got to "visit" 8 different countries and see some pretty incredible things and "meet" some very neat people. The various rooms were set up to reflect the scenery and the climate of the country that we were visiting. So when we made it to one particular city in Italy, it was incredibly hot and dry. We visited a very warm desert in Africa and even walked through large columns of ice in Alaska. 

Family photo in the dessert

We took tons of photos. Unfortunately, something went haywire during the uploading process and most of them were lost. The ones that were saved had some funky defects on them (like the one above) so pictures of our trip around the world are few and far between. Thankfully, I was able to get a few from my mom's camera, so hopefully between those and the couple that were salvageable from my phone you will get a teeny, tiny idea of how incredible this place actually was.


We were shrunk to the size of insects...

Tossed in the air on trampolines...

We explored the ocean...

I adore those hands pressed up against the glass, trying desperately to be closer. Pretty certain Milayla would have dived right into the tank if she could have

Oh, those little hands!

Went off in canoes...

We traveled across suspension bridges. Milked cows. Hung laundry. Walked the railroad tracks (and took a rest on them).

We studied the galaxy under a blanket of stars. We climbed the stairway to heaven (seriously!). We went on archeological digs. We learned about new languages (and even needed to practice them to gain entrance through one of the doorways).

We were inspired by famous thoughts and quotations sprawled across the walls.

There was something new to inspire and educate around every corner and we soaked up every minute of it. We loved it. It was a great outing and it left us all pining for that next great adventure to explore a new culture, meet new people and learn new languages.

How fortunate we are to have a place like this at our fingertips. A place that seeks to inspire travel, knowledge and acceptance of other cultures. And how even more fortunate we are to have shared this with Grandma and Grandpa! It was a day greatly enjoyed by all. Thanks for treating us Grandma and Grandpa!

Atticus is 3!

Our little boy woke up this morning another day older just like every other day, but today was different. Today all those days tallied up to the sum of three whole years! And Atticus could not have been more excited about that little fact. He had been counting down since Jason's birthday back in March and with each birthday that passed between then and now he asked us how many more birthdays until his birthday (since we seem to have a concentrated amount of birthdays and holidays in that time frame it was easier to countdown by birthdays to go than actual days). 

In the final days leading up to the big day, he literally could not sleep. During nap time we would hear him saying things like "Atti Birthday, one more sleep!" or "Big birthday breakfast. MMMMmmm!". 

He got to go to the store with Mommy to pick out everything he wanted for his Birthday Breakfast Smorgasbord and insisted that he was buying it. He put a lot of thought into it. Ever see an almost 3-year-old debate whether white grape juice or red grape juice would compliment breakfast better? I have. Or see an almost 3-year-old advise his Mommy that he is the best person for the job of picking out ripe strawberries? I sure have. And boy, was it cute!

We sure love having this boy in our family. We love the added dynamic and the new perspective that he shines onto situations.

He is constantly making us laugh and amazing us with the way he processes information.

He is quick at processing things and thinks things through thoroughly. It is incredible to see him come up with very well thought out solutions to problems (like how him and Milayla can share one toy, how to complete a maze, or how to reach the markers on the top shelf that Mommy told him he couldn't play with at that particular moment).

He plans out everything. And deviating from that plan usually doesn't go over well.

He is typically very patient and a constant perfectionist. When we do any tracing during Mommy school (like letter learning), he will erase any work that was not on the line and begin again until it is exact.

He is fiercely loyal and thoughtful. He has an incredible memory for things he did with people and for what his friends' favorite toys are (and will make sure they are out when his friends come over to play).

He gives incredible hugs, kisses and tickles. The latest and greatest thing is to try to sneak up on Mommy to attack her with tickles. However, as soon as he is within a 3 foot radius, the excitement is just too much for him and he runs away giggling hysterically. It gets us all laughing.

And he is smart to-boot and extremely good with his hands. He knows all of his letters and sounds, is well on his way for counting (we have just started working with telling time as well!) and understands German better than we had thought (we were speaking in German to one another when we were discussing things we weren't ready for little ears to hear, like a possible dessert, but when he started accurately responding we realized that he was following along very well).

Yes, we sure are blessed to have this independent, loving, thoughtful, ambitious, energetic and intelligent Little Boy in our family.

We love you to pieces, Atticus.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love,
Mom & Dad

Mommy School

For Mommy School the other day we made tracings of the body to go along with learning about body parts. Who would have thought the kids would think it is so exciting to lay still while Mommy traces around you?

Even Milayla loved laying still while the tracing was done. 

The plan is for the kids to decorate their paper-selves over the coming weeks and then put them up on their doors. They're pretty excited!

Artwork

I may be a tad biased, but I think we have some pretty incredible budding artists around here. They adore art. Blank paper and a drawing/painting medium make them pretty happy campers which makes Mommy a pretty happy camper. And I love their work.

I love how it gives me tiny glimpses into how Atticus thinks and processes the world around him. 

I love how attentive to details Atticus is and how he will narrate what he is doing/drawing just so that I don't feel like I am left out. I love seeing him attempt different techniques with whatever medium he is using to figure out just how he wants it.

And then, there's Milayla. Oh, this girl makes me smile constantly. I'll admit that I put off giving her crayons for worry that she would gobble them up (she loves giving everything a taste :). But I finally took the chance when I saw how longingly she looked the crayons and paper while she tapped her toes away in the Jolly Jumper. So I gave it a go, fully prepared to switch activities if there was too much taste testing happening, and I was pleasantly surprised. Milayla did not attempt one single taste of the crayons - not one. 

Running those colors all over clean, white paper was like magic for her and those crayons were far more valuable as writing utensils than teething tools. Thank goodness!

I loved seeing how serious she is about coloring and the wonderful, bright colors that she chooses. I love how well she shares her colors with Atticus so willingly. Most importantly, I love that she loves it and will sit and focus on it. I can't wait to introduce her to paints!

I tend to hold on to a lot of their artwork, but I thought it might be nice to blog some of it as well. 

This was Milayla's masterpiece of the week. Bright orange, blue and red.  

And here is Atticus' latest masterpiece. He did it all on his own. Quite honestly, he turns his nose up at me if I offer any help on his artwork. Which, good for him, because he can do plenty all on his own!

Here is a breakdown analysis of Atticus' artwork:

(The words in the brackets are the reasons that Atticus gave me.)

He traced his hands (the same hand twice to account for both hands). Drew a red rainbow (because we sing a song about rainbows). A sunshine (because it's sunny out and him and Mommy like sun). And himself over there on the right (because he wanted to give himself hair). Then he added the letters 'F', 'L' and 'O' in various parts (because he wanted to sign his picture like Mommy signed Milayla's picture for her).

Yeah...these kids are awesome, and so is their artwork.

Smiles

Nothing fills the energy tank on a busy day quite like the smiles and laughter of these incredible kids. The smiles, the smirks, the "mommy-you're-crazy" looks; I love them all. 

Atticus cuddled up on the couch feeling sick but smiling because Mommy told him we would read some books together

I love how contagious their excitement for life is. It's the simple pleasures that put smiles on their faces; reading time, music, cuddles, tickles, animals, new flowers. 

Milayla conducting music

I find myself opening my eyes to so many more details that I had overlooked previously. The world takes on a magical quality with these little ones around and it's wonderful. 

I'm learning to be present more often and really absorb the moments. I'm discovering my passion for motherhood. I'm learning that once-a-week kitchen experiments (aka: baking) are great for resetting us all. And that licking the bowl is a recipe for lots of smiles and giggles.  

Yes, I love those smiles :).

Trouble

I discovered a stream of photos on my phone that all follow along the lines of the same theme so I thought I would post them up.

Milayla sure likes to keep us on our toes around here. She figures things out quickly and is on the move before you've had a chance to try and figure out exactly what all she accomplished.

Thankfully, she also loves to clean up. If she has to spend any time in the play pen she will neatly stack the toys in the corner. Unfortunately, there just aren't enough messes around here for her to clean up so she keeps busy by pulling books off the shelf just to place them back on. Or by pulling her clothes off the shelf and attempting to fold them before putting them back on the shelf. And she loves it.

She also loves charging for her big brother's door when she wakes early from nap so that he'll come play.

And once inside his room, she is climbing up and exploring.

Inevitably, there are times that she tumbles and we don't quite make it to her in time to soften the fall. She recovers quickly though and is off on her next big adventure in no time, smiling and laughing the whole way.

That smile of hers is contagious.
We love joining her on her adventures.