Happy Birthday Nanny!

We made the trip up to Raleigh this weekend for two events. The Museum of Life & Science in Durham was offering a free day for teachers and their guest. Since my whole family is in public education, the whole family got in for free. We started out with a train ride (that was an additional $3 per person for those of you who might want to visit). It was a little cool for those who didn't pay attention to the weather forecast forgot their jackets, but the kids liked it!

Next, we wandered through the dinosaur trail. They actually have an archeological dig area set up, but we were trying to make it to the butterfly feeding.

 Then it was off to the butterfly house which was A-MAZ-ING! I didn't get a picture, but the most beautiful butterfly was very nondescript brown on the outside, but when it flew, the most beautiful blue on the inside.

Then we headed inside for a demonstration of making ice cream with liquid nitrogen! Very cool! And we got a taste! There were a lot of cool exhibits inside, but Olivia only wanted to play on the playground and sand box. We did walk way out to the other animal exhibits (make sure you have strollers if you go) where we saw 4 very active black bears, 1 very sleepy red wolf, and 2 kinds of lemurs. Oh, and some turtles in the pond! Then we made a very long walk with 2 heavy 3 year olds back to the car to head back to Raleigh for Nanny's birthday party! Next time we visit, we will have to plan for more time because we could have easily spent the whole day there!

Nanny turned 91 (I think) on April 27. Most of the family came to the nursing home for a couple of hours for cake, ice cream, snacks, and catching up with each other.

Lucas helping open gifts

Olivia got in on the present unwrapping action, too!

We got to see family we only see a few times a year so it was a lot of fun to get to see them. Olivia and Lucas especially enjoyed playing with Aunt Vicki and Cousin Kelley!

Nanny got Olivia to sit still for a few minutes for a picture with the birthday girl!

And both kids got in a couple of family shots, though Lucas was not real happy about it!