Easter Egg Hunt 2013

I know it's been a while since an update. Things have been a bit busy around here with more details to come. For now, though, we are well and just trying to keep up with my work, Hubby's work, T's t-ball practices, and both the kids' gymnastics. Throw in my weekly dance class, too. This week we had a break from everything except t-ball practice but I did also work an extra day. It was busy but not nearly as busy. 

Grandma called and suggested we take a break from our crazy schedule and meet them at the church for some Easter fun. The kids were most excited and there was fun for all. Before the egg hunt there were lots of activities - coloring, decorating bags, frosting cookies, ring toss, duck game, rabbit toss - as well as the favorite bouncy houses. After all that fun, we dashed around collecting candy filled eggs. The kids collected so many eggs that we have more Easter candy than we had Halloween candy. Of course, you know how much some of the kids like candy. We'll find a good home for it. 

Here are some photos from the morning...

First Zoo Outing of 2013

As you know, we're big fans of the zoo. However, this year was a brutal winter - more snow than I am used to seeing (T Rex Dad would beg to differ). As my little guy T said yesterday, "Boy, I am glad it's warming up. I was so tired of wearing a coat everywhere for everything." Then Lil Sis piped in boisterously, "ME TOO!!!!" Amen to all of that.

This first zoo outing was from last week. It was a balmy 48 degrees. We went again yesterday and it was really nice at 68 degrees. We really did not need coats yesterday but we still did when these photos were taken.

On both trips to the zoo, we never made it through the whole zoo. The kids are getting more focused on certain things and I find we linger for longer periods of time. We used to do the entire zoo in about an hour. Now we make it through a third in an hour and a half. We still have not made it to feed the giraffes. I will post photos when we do. Until then, enjoy these. The last photo is of the kids seeing the red pandas. They are quite shy and nocturnal. We have actually never been there while they are out so it was quite a treat to see both of them roaming their encounter area.

Yo Gabba Gabba

About a month ago the kids noticed a poster hanging at the gym where they take gymnastics class. It was an advertisement for Yo Gabba Gabba Live. The kids did not understand what a live show was. The Yo Gabba Gabba creatures are still fairly new to them as we've checked out a DVD from the library and they watched that a few times but that's four shows out of who knows how many. They loved all four shows and they did have some catchy songs. I make Lil Sister sing "Don't Bite Your Friends" every time she tries to bite her brother.

Under that poster at gymnastics read a small sign saying they were giving away tickets to two families of four. All you had to do was put the phrase "Yo Gabba Gabba" on a suggestion card and drop it in the box. We did just that. I suspect several people put their names in but forgot to write the phrase. I learned that lesson of following instructions completely a long time ago. I think it paid off because we were one of the families that won. What a great prize! About $400 worth of tickets. We really wanted to take the kids but there was no way we were going to spend that amount on tickets to a kids show.

One day after dinner, T Rex Dad and I surprised the kids with the news we were going to Yo Gabba Gabba. They seemed excited but it did not really sink in until we actually arrived at the lovely performing arts center and they had big people seats. Then the show started and DJ Lance himself walked on stage. Even I was a little star struck. I actually did not think he would show up, but he did. It was quite the production and show. I was impressed. The kids were enthralled.

What I loved most was seeing the kids totally cut loose and dance their little hearts out. I've never seem my son let loose like that before. It was good for them to be crazy but also have the chance to experience a little luxurious entertainment all at the same time.

During intermission I picked up the kids' favorite Gabba characters and hid them in my bag until the end of the show. When it was over and they were feeling sad that their big night was coming to an end, I pulled them out of my purse and there were instant smiles. Along with their new friends they also packed home some streamers and confetti from the show. Love what is important to them at ages 3 and 5.

Love, love, love these kids and these amazing moments.

After the photos, you can see a sample of those dance moves from the show as well as an interview after we came home as they were readying for bed.