thanksgiving eve

I know this seems odd . While most families are posting pictures of their Thanksgiving tablescapes and festive family dinners, you see our kids dining Japanese style with chopsticks. Isn't this the cutest little kiddie set up you've seen? I had to laugh when Eliza Kate and Miller lounged on  pillows while dining on wooden sushi rolls.  They were totally into it. Miller's CARS 2 Tag book discusses wasabi, so we finally had the chance to show him the delicacy that he could dip into hot wasabi.
It was just a fun photo op from our latest Oak Ridge, Tennessee Children's Museum tour stop. We're putting our reciprocal family passes to good use this year. Both sets of grandparents joined us this go around for a fun family field trip.

It was a great way to spend Thanksgiving Eve as a family. We enjoyed the first Around the World exhibit. Miller and Eliza Kate liked playing instruments from around the world. The best part of Children's museums are the hands on rule!

Then it was off to step back into time in a school room from the 1800's. Everyone squeezed into old fashioned desks to get a brief mini lesson on the blackboard from yours truly. In true fashion, Landon relived his class clown days seated in the back row. Miller however stole the show with his informative lesson on lizards of all things. I love when he acts out verbal instructions that he hears from Ms. Cayla. He really IS listening! So, on our week long break from school we still managed a little one room school house session. I must say we had a great looking bunch of pupils.

See what I mean?

Eliza Kate could have spent hours in the miniature sized two story doll house. She entered through a red door just her size...with a little coaxing. The play kitchen was calling her name. Little mommy loves practicing up on her domestic skills. She really is identifying with me and watching all my "mommy" chores.

Miller was waiting on his little mommy upstairs greeting all of us through the window. I think he was having just as much fun in the play house. The rooms were furnished so realistically that he made himself right at home.

She loved the mini-fridge (just her size) and play food. Our little mommy identified familiar foods she knew while cooking away. I love how some of the adult responsibilities that consume our time and energy become favorite childhood play pass times.

All aboard! Miller was thrilled with the train exhibit. He got to watch an electric train navigate through different scenes. Sitting up in the conductor's seat was a highlight too.

Eliza Kate positioned herself in the wooden train or "choo choo" on a stationary ride. We played the day away until nap time. Miller's comment while loading up the car was "Where are we going next?" His go-go activity level never changes. Feeling thankful to have loving grandparents to our kiddos.