Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Sunday Traditions

Our Sundays are always filled with church, family dinner and game night.  Recently, we've added to our Sunday tradition.  The Sugar Donut Truck is conveniently parked .25 mile from church and on our way home!
 The menu changes each week for the gourmet donuts, and we just can't resist these sweet treats!

Masterpiece Monday

Finnegan has made some awesome Volcano art these past few weeks

In school, his teacher charged the class with tracing a school supply and using it in their artwork.  Finny traced scissors and used it for the lava.
 During Finn's after school art class, he used splatter paint for the volcanic lava!

Friday, March 20, 2015

A special day with Nannie

After school today, Nannie, the boys and I headed on a special adventure.
Mom and Dad purchased beautiful suits for the boys first communion.  Today, we went back to Nordstrom for the boys fitting with the tailor.  They were both so proud to be wearing their suits, Finny even exclaimed "Wow, I look good!"
Our sweet little boys looked so big and grown up, Mom and I got choked up seeing them.
 After meeting with the tailor, all three boys picked out new shoes with Nannie for the big day.  Mom commented that shoe shopping with boys was MUCH easier than shopping with girls!
With the shopping behind us, we went to California Pizza Kitchen for a delicious (and silly) dinner.  
It was such a special way to celebrate a momentous day for our boys.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

St. Patrick's Day

The luck of the Irish was with the Kilcoynes today - we had a super day!
My little leprechauns wore their green, enjoyed a special breakfast and headed off to school.
 After school, homework, and Patrick's Tae Kwon Do, mom came over with a delicious dinner and Gill came home early.  We enjoyed corned beef, irish soda bread, potatoes, cabbage and even special desserts (and Guiness of course).  It was special way to spend one of our favorite holidays!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Souvenir Saturday

We got home very early this morning and just unpacked the car.  Seemed like wherever we went during our trip to DC, the boys bought a souvenir.  While some of them were gifts from me and Gill, most of them were purchased by money they had saved.  It was so cute to see the boys so excited about their purchases!

Sully got a stack of $100,000 bills and a $100 eraser at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, A Silver Bell at the Washington Monument, A Blue Dolphin at the Aquarium, A Panda at the zoo (a gift from P&F)
I must add that Sully used his own money at the Air & Space Museum to buy Faye and Ella a book - Curious George Rides a Rocket.  He was so proud to surprise them with his gift.
 Finnegan got a glass prism at the Washington Monument, A giant coin and a bag of shredded money for his teacher at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, A giant snake at the zoo, a plane at the Air and Space museum and a turtle at the Aquarium.
Patrick got a giant coin and bag of shredded money for his teacher at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a giant snake at the zoo, a beautiful patriotic clock at the Washington Monument, A Lego Star Wars set at the Air & Space Museum and a Bonnethead Shark at the Aquarium.
With the addition of the Washington DC Minecraft shirts we bought near the White House, the boys will have lots of goodies to remind them of our trip!


Thursday, March 12, 2015

Washington DC Day 5

We loaded up the cars today and headed north to the Baltimore Inner Harbor.  We all enjoyed a super yummy lunch at the Shake Shack and then pent the day at the National Aquarium.

The kids were in awe of the fish, sharks, reptiles and dolphins
Watching the dolphins play
 
The dolphin tank from below
Jul and a shark
These crazy jellies!
After we explored the aquarium, we walked around the Inner Harbor and watched the boats.
Such a special day!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Washington DC Day 4

Today was filled with "priceless" adventures 

Our first stop of the day was to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  Not to be confused with the Mint that makes coins, the BEP makes all the paper notes for the Federal Reserve.  We got an awesome tour of the building and our guide actually showed us how they make the notes.  Unfortunately, due to security, we were not allowed to take any pictures or video inside, but in the waiting area we got to see this load of cash….
 and after the tour was over, there was a lot to explore in the gift shop.  
Everyone was fascinated by the process and really loved the tour.
 Next, we headed to the Museum of Natural History.  We explored the animals (sully loved the elephant) and then went to the gems and jewels
 We were all in awe of the Hope Diamond!
The boys loved looking at all the precious gems and seeing how crystals are cut into gemstones.
We enjoyed learning all about mining and figuring out where in the country gems can be found.
 at the insect zoo, Finnegan held a 
Madagascar Cockroach and Giant Caterpillar - eww, he loved it!
 Tonight, we went out to a Japanese Steakhouse.  The boys were masters of the kids chopsticks!
 Sully cheers with Aunt Nancy!
Fire!
 Parents were doing squirts of Saki...
But where shown up by the kids doing squirts of water!!
It was definitely the most fun meal of the trip!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Washington DC Day 3

We spent the day at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
The boys loved all the interactive exhibits and participated in a "How it Works" on building airplanes.  
We got to touch a moon rock, see the Lunar Rover and go inside a retired rocketship.
Our whole group watched an IMAX movie about space exploration.
We ended our visit with a space simulator ride, 
and the boys made a video about their experience