The Hazard Chronicles

Monday was MLK day. Here in Cleveland that means two things. First, that I don't have to go to school. And second, that all of the museums are free. Taking these two things into account, we looked at all of the museums and tried to decide which ones to visit. But then we realized that our Boonshoft pass (see entry for 8/24/09) already granted us free access to all of the worthwhile family-friendly places except one. And it was settled.

The Botanical gardens are a fun place to visit and Evelyn loved looking for the birds and butterflies that were flying around. She also liked it when it started "raining" from the sprinklers on the ceiling of the gigantic green-house. Jackson and Adalie also liked it as evidence by the fact that they slept for the whole time we were there.

We also visited the Children's Museum a few times this week. I know we have mentioned the children's museum several times on this blog before, but now it is different. During the winter time they convert one of their entire rooms into an enormous sandbox. The theme for this year's sandbox is dinosaurs, and there are "dinosaur bones" hidden in various parts for the kids to discover using a map. There is also a tent, a jeep (power wheels), and lots of buckets and shovels. Evelyn loves it and it is fun to watch her interact with other children.

Speaking of Evelyn, she has a new favorite hobby. Cooking. For Christmas she got a set of play food (and a little kitchen set which we haven't gotten yet) and she LOVES making meals with it. Yesterday she got one of our rugs and laid it on the floor as a "tablecloth" and then proceeded to arrange a delicious looking meal on it. She is constantly carrying around a pot or pan or bowl- or all three at once. Whenever we can't find one of our utensils we just have to look in Eva's tent. She is so cute.

Rachel and I have also embarked on a new culinary adventure. After realizing that we rarely venture outside of our comfort zones of fifty or so dinners, we have made it our goal to explore new foods. But not just to eat them, but to learn to cook- and *perfect* these dishes. We have always enjoyed cooking together and it has been fun rediscovering this activity with each other.

Jackson and Addy are both doing great. We don't have any sick people in the house anymore. They are all happy and healthy. Both of them have also become very vocal- in a cute way. They will lie on the floor and squawk, squeal, and sometimes even giggle. Our home is a very noisy place, and (I'm sure this comes as a surprise to my family) I love it.