We traveled to Iowa for Memorial Day weekend to visit the Flamings. We decided to take advantage of our science museum membership but stopping in Kansas City for a few hours to play at their science museum. It was a pretty great one.
The kids were excited about the tightrope bicycle exhibit.
They had an adorable train exhibit in the back of the museum, with lots of train tracks to build with, and a train play area. All Matt and I kept thinking was how much three-year-old Nathan would have adored that part of the museum. Even as a 14-year-old, he still had some fun. Gosh, these kids are growing up way too fast. What I wouldn't do for a morning of playing trains with preschooler Nathan again.
The highlight of the museum was this laser maze the kids found. Their score and ranking showed up on a screen, and the girls were thrilled that they set a new record. They tried again and again to better their score. My little competitive children, ha!
After spending the morning at the museum, we walked across the plaza for a fun lunch restaurant, Fritz's. The kids were excited to have their food delivered by a train.
It was a hit, and the food was pretty good too.
After lunch we continued our drive to our final destination- the Flamings' House. We were all so excited to spend a weekend together with family. Of course, we played lots of board games and Jackbox. What I noticed was different this trip though, was that the kids ended up playing so many games all together. Typically, they split up and the little girls play on their own, and often the boys end up on their own too. But this trip was different. They set up and played Hogwarts Battle all on their own. We've been training them well, I guess. It was cute to hear them scream and cheer when they defeated Voldemort.
Since they were occupied, that left time for Matt and I and Jeremy and Anna to play lots of games. We have a few that we only play with the Flamings, and we were excited to get to play them again.
We took a break on Saturday afternoon to walk to a park and let the kids run off some energy.
The kids asked to get ice cream, and we tasked them with persuading the adults with a presentation of why they needed ice cream. They created a skit and a power point, so of course we rewarded them for all of their hard work on Saturday evening.
We spent all day Sunday playing games and hanging out at the house. The cousins all made dessert for after dinner on Sunday night.
We ended up staying up so late on Sunday night. I think we started a new game after 11:00pm. Elisabeth was shocked at how late her dad stayed up, ha! He'll sacrifice sleep for board games with our favorite board game companions.
Monday morning we had to say goodbye, and it was a tearful one.
Poor Emmy was upset, but we all felt the same way she did. Goodbyes are hard, but thankfully we scheduled our next visit before we left. That always makes goodbyes a little easier.
We took a cousin picture before we hit the road.
I'm so thankful for these sweet memories the kids get to make with their cousins. We always have the best visits when we're all together. I know my mom would be beaming seeing all these smiles.
Elisabeth and Katherine participated in their studio's dance recital in May. Elisabeth stopped dance a couple of years ago but decided to try it again this year. It was special for the girls to get to dance together. They even performed a duet which was sweet.
Dance recital days are some of my favorite "girl mom" days. I love doing their hair and makeup, helping them get ready and then watching them shine on the stage. So fun!
The girls participated in a duet together, two other dances together, and Elisabeth also had two dances with her pointe class. It was busy with lots of quick changes but still so fun. Before we left for the recital, we took pictures in each of their outfits.
During the recital, Katherine was very nervous before their duet. I caught the sweetest moment of Elisabeth comforting and encouraging her sister. She did great as a big sister that afternoon.
They performed their duet during the first recital. It was adorable!
Backstage moments were precious during the recital. Katherine has made some sweet dance friends.
Because the girls are in a multi-age homeschool class, they've learned and watched several other numbers, and it was cute to watch them backstage dancing along with the younger students.
The girls ended the night with a freestyle dance on stage with everyone. These girls are so cute!
Katherine had an especially busy dance recital night, because immediately after the recital, she headed to the soccer fields to play her final game. She was a little tired after a big night, but I sure loved watching her fierceness out on the field wearing her recital makeup and ballerina bun. She's a well rounded girl!
These busy days are the best days! I adore being these girls' number one fan. I don't think I'll ever not tear up, watching them perform and shine in whatever activity they're participating in.
The kids asked to get ice cream, and we tasked them with persuading the adults with a presentation of why they needed ice cream. They created a skit and a power point, so of course we rewarded them for all of their hard work on Saturday evening. 
We spent all day Sunday playing games and hanging out at the house. The cousins all made dessert for after dinner on Sunday night. 
We ended up staying up so late on Sunday night. I think we started a new game after 11:00pm. Elisabeth was shocked at how late her dad stayed up, ha! He'll sacrifice sleep for board games with our favorite board game companions. 
Poor Emmy was upset, but we all felt the same way she did. Goodbyes are hard, but thankfully we scheduled our next visit before we left. That always makes goodbyes a little easier. 
We took a cousin picture before we hit the road. 
I'm so thankful for these sweet memories the kids get to make with their cousins. We always have the best visits when we're all together. I know my mom would be beaming seeing all these smiles. 
