florida museum of natural history, park, frozen and dinner

we couldn't spend all of our time at the hospital with the kids so we had a full day before i went up with my mom after all of the kids were in bed for a visit with abby and wyatt. 

we met up with grandma, big pop and jude at the florida museum of natural history. it was in our price range too - free. the museum almost didn't matter because the kids were in love with the playroom!

manning - who isn't fond of slides - loved this one and couldn't get enough of it.

mason thought that it was pretty cool that he could listen to the 'ocean.'

madelyn really liked using the microscopes.

maddux was using the diorama and explanation signs as a 3d 'look and find.'

the kids loved these giant shark jaws. they were saying how that shark could eat all of them at once - even big pop.

we were all pretty impressed with the butterfly collection.

this was almost a great group picture.

how cute is this kid?

this 'wind tunnel' table was a huge hit with the boys. maddux was excited about using the orange paper.

i thought that we might need to get some pictures with grandma and big pop too.

jude wouldn't let me take a picture until he was "done."

so much love.

on the way back to the house we stopped by a favorite park. it was pretty great (aka shady) and had lots of equipment we don't have around here.

diagonal teeter-totter

manning was happy just watching. i loved his serious little face.

daddy had gotten krispy kreme donuts and hats with the kids and he couldn't get enough of the hat! 

when we got back to the house, ford and annabell were home from school and the kids got right back to the fun!

mason

ford and jude showing their moves

 and now it was time for the performance! annabell was the director and everyone got in on the act.

and then we all snuggled up to watch frozen (for the millionth time).

ford and i had a great time discussing alternative characters and plot lines that didn't make the movie and then we got silly with the camera on my phone...

for dinner we headed to stevi b.'s - think cici's pizza crossed with chuck e. cheese, "but classier" (as brad put it). the kids loved it! they didn't care that almost none of the games worked and the ones that did weren't all that 'fun'. i love these pictures of ford and maddux with their vampire teeth prizes because maddux looks the same in both pictures!

annabell and madelyn (they are actually the same height, madelyn was just hunched over to hug annabell)

my cousin kristine and two of her daughters came up to see us too (although i failed to get a picture - errg!). it was so great to visit and see everyone. we had to say our good-byes there because the big kids would be at school when we came over to say goodbye in the morning.

my mom came by the hotel to pick me up to visit abby at the hospital after bedtime. it was so nice to actually be able to visit with abby. there was much less crying. both times we were at the hospital wyatt was sleeping (yesterday was during nap time and tonight it was after bedtime) and we had to try to be quiet. they are trying to limit the amount of stimulation he has so that his body can get the most rest possible. again, i just needed to be there. love.