Back to Nature

We went to our local junior museum over spring break.  We love that place.  It has a whole lot of neat stuff to do and it is always fun to check in on the indigenous animals.  We went with friends and had a picnic lunch.

They had an animal encounter and the kids got to learn a little bit about snakes.  And touch one!

If you look real hard you can see an albino squirrel.  There are quite a few of them out there and Boop wanted to get a picture.

They have horses and a cow.  Sheep and chickens.  Part of the museum is a farm that dates back to the 1800s.  They have a  Florida Panther and a couple of different types of foxes.  I have pictures from there when the kids were just toddlers.  It is a great place to go.  We definitely enjoyed it . . . 

I Have Awesome Kids

This past week, we took Grandma to the doctor.  The kids sat in the waiting room for two hours.  They brought books and schoolwork and snacks.  I went back to the appointment room with my mom and never worried once about how they were behaving.  On the way out, the receptionist commented on how well behaved they were.

Two weeks prior to this doctor's appointment, they had to sit in the ER waiting room for over five hours.  Again, a bag full of stuff, a couple books, a Kindle and some snacks.  The older kids said they were entertained by the people coming and going.  Occasionally one of the kids would come back to my mom's room for a few minutes.  And my sister and I would check on them periodically.  Never once did they complain!

I don't kid myself thinking they were perfect angels.  But, I set high expectations and they did their best to see them met.  I could focus on what I needed to focus on and not worry about what they were doing.  It is wonderful to know that when push comes to shove, they rise to the occasion.

I know I don't say it enough or tell them enough, but, my kids are awesome . . .

Happy, Happy Birthday Nature Girl

I am not sure if that nickname applies much anymore!  As of 5:15 this morning I officially have a teenager.  She enjoys being outside, still, but she has turned into quite a young lady.  She is beautiful and graceful and she loves to sing.  All the time.  She brings so much life into our house!  I won't go into her birth story.  It is in this blog somewhere.

She was a month early, was in the hospital for more days than I would have liked.  She was our first and we learned soooooo much about being a parent.  Now she is the first teenager.  In preparation for this momentous occasion, I read a book called Age of Opportunity.  I am choosing to approach this new stage of life with the idea that it is an opportunity of growth and maturing and becoming a responsible adult.  A time where so much about life can be learned and navigated but still under our care and protection and guidance.  (A time for growth for us as well!!)

We will celebrate her all day.  No chores for her.  Cupcakes tonight after dinner.  We have dress rehearsal tonight for the Easter Musical we are in. But, Monday, she is having a small luncheon at a local cafe with a few of her friends.  And then daddy will take her for dinner next weekend.

Anyway, Happy, Happy, Happy 13th birthday to my beautiful baby girl . . . .

Lego Man

Boop loves Legos.  I am not sure if there are many boys his age who don't.  He will play by himself for quite some time.  Building and rebuilding.  He will get a set, build it and a couple days later take it apart and build something totally different.

It drives daddy crazy that he doesn't keep the pieces to each set together.  Boop loves to make the original toy but then he also loves to make his own thing.  That is one of the things I love about Legos.  He can learn to follow directions but then also be creative.

One of Boop's friend's older sister had a contest.  She had each boy build an airplane.  She gave them rules and guidelines and then at last week's book club they had a contest.  She judged the planes and Boop won!  He was so excited.

It was such a cute idea and the boys were good sports.  He is looking forward to the next contest  . . .

The Journey

This past Friday, my big girls and a bunch of their friends had an experience of a life time!  And it was for something fabulous.

Just a little background:

The director of the company, of where my girls (and their friends) do ballet, had a vision a number of years ago.  That vision was to bring movement to women and children who reside at local domestic violence shelters.  She had been working on a story ballet called The Journey.  Last night she and many of the girls from her ballet company performed The Journey as a fundraiser to get her foundation started.

Since last November (I think), the girls have given up a ton of free time to help make this dream come true for their director.  Almost every Saturday since Christmas the girls have been rehearsing.  Every night last week, they had been rehearsing.  Some nights until 8pm.

When the director first presented her idea to the girls, two things popped into my brain.  First, I thought it would be a great idea for the girls to use their gifts and talents in a way that would help others.  Then, I thought, my girls would never get a chance to dance in a real ballet production.  Sure, every year they do their recitals and they are great.  But, to be a part of a true production.  That might be a once in a life time chance.

Of course the girls said they would love to be involved.  And enjoyed every minute of it.  And, this past Friday, we were able to see the performance and it was fabulous.   Unfortunately I was able to only get one picture of them in partial costume.

I have no idea how much money was raised or what the next step is going to be for the girls' ballet director.  But, I am glad the girls have had this opportunity.  And I just love every opportunity I get to see them dance . . .