Sunday, May 25, 2008

A day in the times of Norman Rockwell

This morning started with another incredible breakfast from Grandma. She's feeding us so good! Grandpa read the kids a morning story before breakfast. After breakfast, the kids played some indoor bowling with Grandma and Grandpa, while I called around to get information and pricing to possibly take the kids bowling tomorrow morning. Yikes, it is a little outside of my budget to go to a real bowling alley, so we will stick with the livingroom for now. Grandpa washed the minivan and I went to work tightening car seat straps. Finally, everyone's tummies were full and the minivan was ready, so off we went down to the Orlando Science Center again. We watched a movie about the Alps on the large cinedome screen. Then we took the kids to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit. There were dozens of different Saturday Evening Post pictures all around, and it was so fun to really take the time to look at them.
Joshua enjoyed seeing Norman Rockwell using a mirror to paint his self-portrait.
Much of the exhibit focused on the fictitious small town life and characters that Rockwell painted. The boys enjoyed the model train table.
Daniel briefly tried his hand at creating a little masterpiece.
As we walked through different parts of the exhibit, many areas were designated to be hands-on areas. We enjoyed the school house.
Joshua is practicing for next year, when he'll go to school instead of homeschooling.
The kids enjoyed the old car. Megan kept looking for the seatbelts.

Here's Megan doing some work on a little factory line in the shadows of Rosie the Riveter.
This is Daniel driving an Army jeep that was on display in the Rockwell exhibit.
This crazy character fit right into the exhibit!
Megan got a kick out of the silly mirror.
Joshua could have stayed all day and played with the model trains.
There was a part of the exhibit that was a soda fountain shop. I remarked that it made me want to eat at Johnny Rockets. Everyone else seemed in agreement, so off we went to the Johnny Rockets in Winter Park.

The kids had a great time. Everything was fun and fantastic. From their little milkshakes, to the smiley faces from the waiter when he poured the ketchup. The kids had a blast. I think Grandpa had a blast rocking to the music with Joshua.

We walked around the shopping area at Winter Park Village. In Borders, Megan had a melt-down and it was time to leave. After we got home and had bathes, everyone snuggled onto Grandma and Grandpa's bed to watch Where the Red Fern Grows. We made it through half of the movie and will watch the other half tomorrow night. (Don't spoil the ending for me, I haven't seen the movie, and I haven't read the book since the 3rd grade - a very long time ago!).

2 comments:

The Little Wife said...

It warms my heart to see the wonderful things you do for your children. You are truly a mother I wish to emulate. They will have such amazing memories when they grow up.

Amber said...

What a fun day!

I have to tell you that I read Where the Red Fern Grows every summer from 4th grade until I was 20. My copy of the book finally wore out. :) I LOVE that story.