Puffy Paint

picklewart.blogspot.com

My friend Marlana over at A Peek Into Our Nest mentioned making puffy paint the other day. It sounded fun AND easy, so we decided to give it a try... and I'm glad we did. The kids loved it!

All you need is some plain white school glue and some plain white shaving cream. Mix equal parts of each.

You'll have a thick gloopy (is that a word?) goo to use. Go start creating!

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Officially 18

picklewart.blogspot.com

Well, Garrett's not 18, but he is officially 18 months, and he's one cool dude.
In fact, he's so cool he sports a mohawk everyday.
It's totally natural. It's so stinkin' cute... now...
He'll hate it when he really is 18.

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Princess Birthday Bonanza

picklewart.blogspot.com

Well, my little girl will soon turn 4. My tiny little sweet baby girl... my sweet baby that I rocked each night, my little angel.
Tomorrow, the 12th, at about 12:30 PM, my little girl will be four years old.
Tonight we celebrated with friends and family.
Earlier this month this same sweet little girl told her Mommy (who would do almost anything for her) that she wanted a castle cake this year... almost a predictable request for a 4 year old birthday party... but then she added that she also wanted it to have a volcano behind it!
Say huh?
She continued with this same request for the next several days and weeks. Obviously she was serious. So, Mommy made it happen in accordance as the little princess deemed it.But there was more "princessing" to do... frog kisses anyone?
And how 'bout glittery play dough... or "royal dough"!And Garrett wanted in on the present action.But there was one present at the end that Grace never expected...
A dollhouse taller than her!
We had a good time at the party tonight... and I look forward to many more with my sweet little princess!!
Pictures here by my friend Kara Guffey of Kara Guffey Photography - serving southwest Missouri!

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My Baby Boy is ONE!

picklewart.blogspot.com

My baby boy is now officially ONE YEAR OLD. It's the end of a "baby era" here at the Goff house. At least, we believe it's the end of an era!
Garrett had his first birthday party here at the house with lots of friends and family! We indulged in cake (my first attempt at home-made marshmallow fondant) and ice cream, had fun with presents and playing, and then went off for naps so that everyone could return that evening for grilling out and some firework festivities!!

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The Very Magical Magic House - St. Louis

picklewart.blogspot.com

It was another great day here in St. Louis. We experience much magic at The Magic House! That place is HUGE and is loaded with activities for everyone from babies to elders! We absolutely wore ourselves out and were ready to relax that evening!

Garrett in "the oval office"

Lunch at The Picnic Basket in The Magic House

The mirror maze was fun

Grace built her own working set of gears

Floating on air balls fascinated Garrett

The bubble organ was a hoot

And when the day was over and Courtney and I were ready to collapse, THIS is what Grace was doing. No more monkeys jumping on the bed, girl!

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Downtown St. Louis

picklewart.blogspot.com

Today was the day to meander to downtown St. Louis and see the Arch and the new City Garden. We did NOT go up the Arch... I could just imagine myself trapped in one of those little pods with two screaming children, and that was enough for me to say no thank. Maybe later.

The City Garden is new from 2009 and was quite a bit of fun for both Grace and Garrett. Definitely worth a stop for a couple of hours... and it was FREE! It's also just about 2 city blocks from the Arch making our driving mucho easy.

OK, in like fashion from yesterday, here are our days' picture highlights:

A windy cloudy morning at the St. Louis Arch

Garrett actually enjoyed a face full of water. I've even got video to prove it! (crazy kid)

Garrett was very tired after all that splashing

After a quick clean-up at the hotel, it was time for an early dinner

The day caught up with Grace...

...but she was back up and kicking by the time we were back in the room... ready for more swimming.

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St. Louis Zoo Adventure

picklewart.blogspot.com

If there's anything I've learned about vacationing with two kids under the age of 4, it's "pace yourself"!
We explored the St. Louis Zoo today and had a great time. I have decided it is a two day adventure though for anyone with little kids!
We rode the train, explored the children's zoo area, saw a sea lion show, and rode the carousel. And did I mention we saw lots of animals?! And we didn't even see half of it. Personally, my favorite area was the penguins... air conditioned (it was uber hot & muggy today!). Needless to say, we came back to the hotel and hit the pool.
Anyway, here are pictures to document some of it!

In the Children's Zoo area:

Garrett had an encounter with some very curious little meerkats!!!

The Penguin House!

The girl obsessed over Zebras all morning... of COURSE she chose the zebra to ride on!

Sea Lion show

By the time we got to the sea lion show, Grace was very tired! Grace had been asking all morning to go see those ZEBRAS!
Black with white stripes? White with black stripes?
Turns out, it's white with brown stripes...

World's Fair Aviary
Garrett was diggin' the chimpanzees!
Back at the pool for a cooldown.

Entertainment in the room.
Garrett hidden away in his sleeping courters
(i.e. blanket covered pack-n-play).
Grace sacked OUT!
Now, my turn...

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