We had a wonderful visit with Brittney, Finley, and August, when they spent a week with us in Kentucky! Aubrey made a detailed schedule of fun places to visit—including her own kid-friendly home!

Mimi's & Grandpa's House

We enjoyed having Brittney and the boys stay with us, and bonding with them!Matching Italy shirts we got the boys while in Verona, Italy.Mealtimes were always entertaining!And we enjoyed our walks around the neighborhood.

Aubrey's House

It's always a fun time at Aubrey's house because Claire has the funnest toys!Gus and Claire eating lunch together at the table. Keven—Claire's doll in between—is serving as a nice ice breaker for the them!Aubrey's backyard is truly a little kids dream!Aubrey helping Finn re-fill his bubble-wand.The kids loved the swings!While swinging, Claire getting a face full of bubbles from Finn.Finn talking Mimi into hanging out with him in his “house” under the slide (and it was tight!).

Finn still blowing bubbles in our tiny house.Gus going down the little slide,And driving his car around the yard (and eventually the neighborhood).

Lauren's Baby Shower

Merinda, Aubrey, Brittney and me, all attended Lauren's baby shower. Lauren and Merinda (sitting next to Veronica) are the same age, and Aubrey used to babysit them sometimes.Brittney was also a nanny to Lauren and her brother when they were young, so they have bonded throughout the years.Our lovely host Bridgette, Lauren's mother, and Gus living his best life having his mother all to himself!Gus also enjoyed playing with whatever he wanted to without big brother taking it away.I'm so happy for Lauren and her husband Landry, such a nice couple who will make wonderful parents!

During the baby shower, Finn was living his own best life at Hoggy's Ice Cream parlor, with his grandpa!

Church Nursery

The Sunday that Brittney's boys attended church with us, Wesley Holt's kids, Mason and Norah, were also visiting. My kids grew up with the Holt kids so all of them are really close. It would be so great is all of their kids were also close—I guess we'll just have to see which part of the country everyone ends up.

I loved seeing them playing together and especailly at this little green table with the yellow chairs. This was our table set when our kids were young, once they were all grown and moved out of the house, we just didn't have room for our big toys anymore so we donated them to our church nursery!

The other large toy we donated was this toy kitchen. It was surreal and brought back so many memories to see Claire and the other kids play with this kitchen. All I could see was Claire's mother Aubrey, playing with this kitchen when she was Claire's age!

Snack time—the only one missing is Gus who wasn't old enough to attend nursery yet.

Finally it was Finn and Claire's favorite activity—bubbles!

Even's Orchard

One of the many outings Aubrey had planned for us was a morning at Even's Orchard. Aubrey kept talking about how fun the little kid area was, and that no one is ever there when she takes Claire. We just happened to pick the wrong day—Scott County Schools Even's Orchard Day! Every child of every age was there that day! I've never seen so many kids in one place before! Despite the hordes of people, the kids still had fun. Finn was so excited he just ran to every station, trying out everything—good thing we wore our running shoes!Numerous slidesLarge rope webJungle gyms with balancing featuresTractors and two-story farmhouse Hay maze—which did not fair well with my allergies!And of course, petting zoo!Claire and Gus loved hanging out in the corn-kernel box, but I had to keep reminding Claire not to feed Gus the corn!By far, Gus' favorite thing was the miniature school bus where he could sit on the little seats like a big kid, and even stand on the seat and look out the window!Both Claire and Gus loved that little school bus!

And then Aubrey and I getting a workout pushing Finn and Claire on bicycles that were too big for them—where they couldn't reach the peddles!

After our exhausting play, we might have rewarded ourselves with one of Even's homemade floats and cobbler—hey, we earned it!

Frankfort Nursery - Children's Garden

Our next adventure was at the Children's Garden at the Frankfort Nursery. Finn and Claire—cousin bonding!The Children's Garden was such a magical place, not like Even's Orchard, but like fairy wonderland meets your grandparent's backyard in the country!Claire sitting on a cute little butterfly bench.They had a full-blown outdoor kitchen with garden boxes where Finn and Claire dug up toy vegetables!Finn then washed the vegetables in the sink and gave some to Gus and me to eat for “lunch”.Gus having fun playing with all the colorful gourds. Claire cleaning up a different kitchen on a raised covered deck.Finn stroking the “fire” in a real tent.Finn had fun raking leaves and them jumping in them!He also enjoyed playing in the huge sand box—loading all the wheelbarrows up with sand.Gus on a horsey tire-swing.Claire and Finn climbing in a tube made of rope that would twist up-side-down if you weren't careful. And of course we fed the rooster and chickens on our way out!What a special little gem-of-a-place in our state's capitol!

Paris Playroom

On one of the cooler days of the week, we drove to Paris, Kentucky, which like Frankfort, is only a thirty-minuet drive from Aubrey and I. Aubrey had taken Claire to this fun little playroom several times when the weather outside was not ideal. Above Gus is spinning in an egg chair while Finn cooks on the toy charcoal grill with included all the essential utensils and fixins!

Even though it was only one room, it was a large enough play area for all the kids (we were the only ones there). It had the most darling toys and fun things to do!Claire cooking over an open fire in this cute little tent.Gus enjoying some breakfast prepared by Claire in the very modern, fully-stocked and accessorized kitchen below!Claire choosing a dress-up dress and taking care of one of the many dolls!Finn showing off his art work from the art station.After playtime was over, the kids eating their packed lunches on a table made just for them!

Monkey Joe's

Last but not least was Monkey Joe's, a fun little arcade place in Lexington. Even though it gave Brittney a heart attack when Finn was crawling up and then sliding down the huge slide, everyone had a great time! A big shout out to Aubrey, for suggesting all of these gems, and organizing our fun kid outings!! It was so great having Brittney and the boys come and visit, I just hope she is able to bring them again sometime so we can make more memories in the Bluegrass State!