Construction truck petting zoo

Yesterday I took my kids to a free local event called The Construction Truck Petting Zoo. It was fantastic. It was held in front of the big library downtown with two small streets closed and all different kinds of construction trucks parked and open for explorers. The kids got to climb in and press all the buttons, honk the horns and generally explore these massive and some smaller vehicles. I had been looking forward to this event for a couple weeks. I knew my kids would like it, it was outdoors and best of all it was free! Since I have started writing about our fun together I had planned on taking some pictures and doing a little entry. So I am snapping picture, pictures of us getting there, pictures of the kids in the trucks lots of pictures. I never really look at the pictures I take when I am taking them, I just snap away and there is usually a few good ones. Finally we were getting to the second to last truck, a massive one with a long line. I am not familiar with vehicles so I have no idea what mos

This is the tire to the massive truck-->

over here

t of these were. I am taking pictures when I notice some pop up on my screen. No memory card. I had not put the memory card back from the last time I transferred to my computer. No picture! I had been looking forward to the awesome pictures for weeks.

For the first time I did not let something like this ruin the experience. It was hard and took a few minutes, but as I looked at the kids and saw how much fun they were having it was not so bad. Also I had my phone so I just took pictures with that. They were not quite as good but hey. So the kids got a chance to go and see most of the trucks again so mommy could have pictures. They had no problem going in all the trucks again.

There was also Popsicle, lemonade, and popcorn. Kids were loving beeping the horns of all the trucks and parents trying to keep their kids from driving everyone crazy with the sound of horns beeping. -Okay honey ten beeps is enough lets give someone else a turn-.

 As with most things with Emily and Julian they only wanted to  stay together. When I told Julian to go stand in front of a giant wheel taller than him he wouldn't unless Emily went with, but then Julian does seem more likely to need Emily's company.
 A radio station was there and gave the kids a free chap stick a special treat because Mommy keeps hers away from them. They each got their very own. When we went to one of the trucks the owner was there (the owners all kept close to the trucks for instructions or questions) and when Julian was climbing in -I can do it myself- he turns to the truck owner and hands him his chap stick and says -you hold this, not mommy- the owner laughed and said -I will hold it for you-

With two three year old with tons of energy they were all over the place. Since the roads were closed I was happy to give them some leeway. There were lines for most of the trucks and in one Emily ran over and climbed in one while I was distracted with Julian. I went to grab her out but this woman was standing there blocking the door telling Emily its not her turn. Finally  I got her attention to tell her that Emily was mine and I would be happy to her her down if I could get pass the lady. The lady says -you know, there is a line- duh I think to myself but I just smiled and said -yea, you know three year olds, so impatient. Nothing could annoy me or frustrate me, and that is not common. I am easily frustrated.

All in all it was a great day. My life with my kids just gets better and better. I am just enjoying every day with them. You never know when it will end, whether from sickness, accidents, or time just passing when kids do not want to be Mommy's little babies anymore.

Trip to the library

I love to take my kids to the library. When I was a child the library was one of my favorite places to be. All different kinds of books about all different things. Now adays the library still has that and I want my kids to feel it. There is also a little corner with some comfy chairs and kids puzzles and such. So I can relax with a book while the kids get to play in a different place than home.
At the library downtown there is free parking for up to an hour, then they start charging. Getting into the library is a chore with two three year olds. We park and the kids tumble out of the car. Since they have to inspect everything from the car to the door it take awhile to get inside. Finally we get to the door and when we first get inside, we enter the lobby which has high echoing ceilings, so the kids want to yell and run. Getting through the lobby is a test in patients, one I do not always pass. Finally we get to the stairs and thankfully it is only one floor up. Unfortunately there is a bathroom at the top and my kids have to use every bathroom the see. Finally we get to the last leg. Just have to walk to the back where the puzzles are. That means walking past a glass case with toys inside which has to be inspected, past computers that have to be played with, and yet another set of bathrooms. Finally fifteen to twenty minutes after parking we get to sit and relax. Normally this walk would take me about 3-5 minutes.
Since I plan 15 minutes to get out of parking that means only about 25-30 minutes of library time. Usually enough for some good puzzle time and to pick out some books to take home. Despite the effort it takes I still love taking them. On days that I don't have the energy for all that, there is a smaller library closer by. There is no puzzles but the kids still like grabbing a book and sitting at the kid table for a good read.
I hope bringing them to the library so young will really develop a love for the library. Somewhere they can go for entertainment or just to get away.