Growing Up... For Real

A trip to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis was our reward for getting through the week without Daddy, and, as always, it did not disappoint.  There were two new exhibits to check out- Legos and Hot Wheels: For Real!  I thought it was pretty funny that the title included For Real, since that is Adam's latest catch phrase. 

Everything I love about the children's museum was pretty well itemized here, but as a recap, I'll just say that taking my kids out to experience enriching activities (whether it be the museum, the forest, the library or just a walk through a field) makes me feel like such a better mother than the days when we are hanging around the house with nothing to do.  I do love the days that we are hanging around the house with something fun to do, though.

So the museum was a hit.  It amazes me that when we first moved here, a trip to the museum looked like this, and now it looks like this-

And it amazes me to see what I become capable of as the years go by.  Granted, this was the first time that I have lost a child in a public place- only for two minutes, but it was the longest, scariest two minutes ever- but I am able to do things now that I used to not even consider. 

Some are silly things, like taking three little kids on a carousel by myself- I convinced Leah it was her lucky day because she found a penny, got the carousel horse of her choice, and got the last cheese stick.

And some are bigger things.  Like refusing to lose my temper over something that would have set me off before or living thousands of miles away from the physical support of family or taking care of my own little family by myself when Jason is out of town. 

I guess we're all growing up.