Fun at INK

This summer my M-I-L introduced us to a new place to play up in Gainsville, the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, or INK.  It's comparable to the Imagine It Children's museum in downtown Atlanta, and about the same distance from our house, maybe 5 minutes further.  But, it's free parking without a walk from a lot downtown, and $8 admission per person instead of $12.50. 

Being that they are both giant indoor play areas, I have to say I prefer this one.  It's partitioned off into different themed rooms - there's a grocery store, a beauty shop, a bank, a cafe, music room, vet office, doctor's office, dentist office, you name it.  In the back is a more open area with a cop car, airplane, firetruck, and more to climb on.  But even with daycare crowds, it's spread out enough it never feels as crowded as the one downtown.  So we headed back in this chilly weather!

Playing dentist:

Sara's favorite part was the doctor area - it was doctor stuff and baby dolls - double win!  

Meanwhile David had specifically asked to go to the 'place with the plane'

Grocery store

 

Police officer

 

Giving a snake a shot

Teacher David

We had a nice quiet afternoon with BFF Jill.  I made zucchini bread and an apple bake, and lamb burgers for dinner and then took David to gymnastics.  We're going to declare either tomorrow or Wednesday electronic-free day, which might be as hard on me as it is on D!

Thanksgiving Crafts

Even though they'll only be worn a couple of times, I was inspired to put together some cute things for Sara to wear this week.

I went into Joann's last week looking for Christmas fabric, and came out with turkey fabric-already 60% off!  I debated a lot of cute new little patterns, but decided not to stress myself (after the ninja costume nightmare week I was a little burned out on deadline sewing!) and go with a pillowcase dress.

Based on the tutorial I found at chiggerbytes.blogspot.com, I put together something fancier than my very first dress (it had a ruffle at the bottom), but simpler than what she described (only one ruffle, not two, and same with one tie around the neck), somewhat due to time constraints.

Here's the finished product:

Dad said the preschool teachers loved it; were complimenting it in the carpool line!  I might still add the second ruffle and tie before church on Sunday.  For a rush project I was really happy with how it turned out - made in 2 nights, which is fast sewing for me. 

And even though it was 12:15 AM when I had school the next day, she had to have a matching turkey hair bow.  So, based on the tutorial I found here I made this:

 I love googly eyes.

And here is the babes in the finished product, playing with her baby!

And now we're on Thanksgiving break!  I am so excited to have a whole week off with these guys.  And I tend to agree with my husband, who says this holiday is the best one because you get the joy of seeing extended family (and eating yummy food) without the stress of present buying!

I'll post again if I end up making a cute turkey t-shirt I found as well, but right now I'm going to bed!

Bonus pic of big D as the pilgrim minister in Hooray for Thanksgiving