Music Class

I thought I'd get some updated pics at music class since I had the chance and what a treat.  This week we did the gathering drum--which just happens to be the same one we got Amara for her 1st birthday, so that was a hit!

Mrs. Kelly instructing the kids--this week it was all girls, the 4 of them, very patiently waiting and learning.

The group all putting the drum away together, pretty organized--I need whatever magic Mrs. Kelly has, I can't get one kid to put ONE toy away :)

Up next were songs about farms and farm animals--the kids were so cute with their sounds and noises--Amara clearly was ok taking a back seat, I guess she feels like she knows them :)

Time for the rainstick.  Seems no matter what you have at home, somewhere else, it becomes MUCH more interesting.  This accompainied "it's raining it's pouring" a favorite of Amara's, so the girls all took turns singing a verse and getting a turn with the rain stick.  So patient and sharing!

Lastly, it's time for "La-La's" or the music note stamps they always receive at the end of class.  This week they also did tone bells with the song "raining raining" and there were 3 tone bells to 4 girls, so they rotated them in as they got some Mrs. Kelly time--it worked out perfectly!

Hands and belly, followed by kisses and hugs!

We're not sure if we'll be able to continue our classes after we go back to work and Amara starts school, but we've loved our time with Mrs. Kelly so very much.

Beanie's new fav

There is a Jet's pizza on Sancus, just a few doors down from Bean's little gym class.  I think she tried it first with Grandma Jackie a few months ago, and it quickly became a destination.  I tried it with her, and then I think Eric tried it finally last month--now, I'm not sure if it's her favorite, or ERIC's :)

So, we familiarized ourselves with where these were, in case we were near one and sure enough, when we were searching for a new swing set, we found one up on Seldom Seen in Powell.  After playing for a while, we headed there for a slice for lunch and I had to catch a shot of her leaving with daddy.

I thought it was really cute that they went inside and waited 10+ minutes for a piece of pizza, but hey, when it's a favorite, what can you do, right? 

Incidentially, I have to mention that Eric is looking into franchising in the G.C. area, lord help us all! haha

Chocolate Factory Tour

We decided to revisit the Anthony-Thomas Chocolate Factory Tour again this year, considering Amara enjoyed it so much last year.  For the last few weeks, as we drove past and saw the big pink rabbit, we've been telling her about it, so come game time, she knew and was ready to go.

This year was a little different than last year though--last year we walked right in and didn't wait but a few minutes.  This year, Amara and Eric stood outside for a good 20 minutes before even getting into the lobby, while Cora and I waited in the car.  Once we got in though, it was all familiar.  The samples, pics with the E.B. and candy eggs were hits!

We got to show her the strawberries she loves, as well as buckeyes being made...though, she started to tucker fast, since we were approaching nap time.

At the end they had the fresh samples, always fun, then we hit the candy store for a few things (we can stock the Easter basket with as well).

The 4th E.B. was hiding in there for a quick photo op--dolled up in his jeans and waiting for attention.

We had fun and hope to continue the tradition with little sister--I think as long as there is candy involed, we'll be safe :)

SUPERBEAN!

Dad was over here watching Amara while we headed to a Dr. apt and when we came home, Amara and he were running around, and Superman 3 was on in the background.  I didn't pay it much attention (other than noting the terrible effects and trying to remember the plot) but I didn't turn it off either.

I noticed Amara paying it some attention (hey, the music is catchy at least) and just after it was over--we had a moment...she was imitating Superman. 

I quickly had Eric tie her blanket around her like a cape, and without missing a beat, she ran to the closet to get her boots (like Superman's red boots) and we enjoyed our first real superhero role-playing moment in the living room.  Eric flew her around and we shouted "Superbean" to her entertainment.

What a sweetheart.  I headed out shortly thereafter and got some red satin and rope tie to make her a cape.  It's not done yet, but if/when it is, I'll update on the escapades of Superbean sure enough!

Pet Expo

We'd stumbled across the pet expo at Vet's last year and decided to give it another shot.  I am SO glad I didn't build it up as "like last year" though, because her favorite from last year, the pony rides, were NOT THERE!  ouch.

She did, however, get to hold 2 rabbits and a duckling--only 14 days old but quite active!

We also visited the dogs jumping from the pier into the water display again, she and Eric walked through a reptile house, we saw ferrets too.

At the end, the finally had inflated a bounce house with a giant butterfly on it.  We've been talking about getting one of those for her birthday party this year, but haven't decided--it was interesting though, how much more confident she is on those things!  I think the Circleville pumpkin show would be the last time on one and man, she just took off this time and didn't look back!

It was fun, but lesson learned--unless you KNOW an event is happening, DON'T market it to your toddler!

Skating

Ok, Eric MIGHT kill me for posting these, but I have to...it's part of the story...look closely at the right side of the picture.  That is Eric, not sure if he's trying to get up, or on his way down...

We were invited to Maya's 4th birthday party at a roller rink.  I'd really been wanting to try skating with Amara, so in addition to getting to see our friends, this was a bonus outing for us!  It was a private party, so not nearly packed and I headed out on skates to do a lap with Amara.  Let's just say by the 2nd lap, she was ok going alone!  no joke...

At that point, Eric and I (wearing the same shoe size) switched the skates and he headed out with her--he wasn't as successful though and did bite it a few times, though never hurt.  He was a trooper though--and I was taking video and didn't get many pics, but they really both did have a blast, and hilariously, Cora slept through the blaring roller rink music (that is just as loud and cheesy as I remember from my childhood).  She got so far ahead of Eric at one point, she yelled (in a very animated fashion) "I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT, DADDY!"  he and I just about fell over, and I'm certain we entertained a fair share of the rink at that point.

Sometimes she headed out in the wrong direction, but it didn't matter, everyone there knew each other and was kind of looking out for each other anyway.  The skates they had for toddlers fit over her shoes and she had no fear!

Eric insists we're going to go again soon so he can get better, I personally can't wait for her skates to get here!

The way the seating at the rink was set up, we saw more of her back than her front, but we could tell she was enjoying it!  Every time she fell, she got right back up, never even a wince or complaint, just get right back out there!

sisters

I'm hoping this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship with our girls.

I have several friends (and my mom) who have sisters who still (and always have been) very close with my sisters.  I know I always wanted one, and I certainly hoped, after Amara was born, that she'd have a sister too.

At first, Beanie wasn't much into Cora--and Cora didn't notice much, but even at the 6 week mark, Cora seems to worship Amara, and Amara seems "ok" with Cora :)  She'll occasionally say "isn't she cute" or "look at that face" and I realize she's repeating us, but I'm ok with that--

So far, Amara has asked to hold her, and I'm sure it won't be long before she's asking to push her in her stroller I'd imagine.  I'm sure there are trends with 2nd born kids (myself being one) but this one is trending "quick."  Even my mom said the other day "isn't she a little young for that?" --referring to some pictures of Cora laughing I took a week or two ago.

I also know from friends with two girls that they won't always be best friends.  Amara isn't keen on anything being "just baby sisters" so I don't know how sharing will go--my hope for them is that the good far outweighs the bad though, and I'm pretty certain they will make that happen.

We're trying to make this as positive an experience for Amara as we can and we've had some visitors which helps.  We've also kept up her gym and music classes, as well as visiting preschools for her and taking her on several outings just for her.  Considering Cora is still sleeping a lot, Amara is getting plenty of time with mom and dad--just not always both of us at the same time.

The yelling moments don't get photographed (usually) so I'll focus on the sweet ones I have--I don't know if either of them will remember any of this, but I sure hope to!

Ichiban

We had a certificate that was expiring and things had been going pretty well with the girls one day last week, so we decided to head up to Ichiban.

It's a Teppanyaki restaurant, that frankly we've had for a year (that should tell you how much we go out :))  ...and since Amara likes Chinese, we figured "why not?"

Despite us being the ONLY ones in the restaurant (we targeted a Wednesday at 4:30, right when they opened) we got pretty good service--I, for one, was worried that we'd have to wait on a few more people to fill out our table!

Amara LOVED the soup!  I think she drank all her bowl and part of mine.  She also shared the Gyoza with daddy, not a surprise because she always loves the dumplings when we get Chinese.

The chef tried his best to make her laugh with his egg twirling, volcano of onions, and chopping, but she wasn't really that impressed (sorry chef).

I don't think she had much room left for her chicken and rice, but she did manage a bite of her orange sherbet, complete with pink umbrella at the end of the meal :)

I think we might actually try to go back sometime--that one was kind of far from us, but I know there are closer ones...considering our favorite buffet, quick hit in GC (Cici's) closed, we have to find something!

Cora update

As if life with Amara didn't speed along fast enough, life after Cora is moving at a break-neck pace! 

I snapped these pics in attempt to get some for her birth announcement (late, I realize) and can't believe how she's grown!  At her 1 month checkup with Dr. Dicarlo, she has already grown a ton!  She was 22 3/4 inches long, and over 11 pounds, unbelievable!  No wonder all her 0-3 month clothes are getting short!

She's so happy--genuinely.  She LOVES her big sister and follows every move she makes and every peep out of her mouth, much more than Eric or I in fact.  Cora also has these amazing eyes that you just have to stare into.  At times they seem Violet--at others, a very intense blue, that reminds me of a star Sapphire ring my dad has.

She really has started smiling and "talking" I call it--and Eric (and I) love and enjoy the "daddy/daughter talks" she and he get to have in their moments together.  He said today "are you just testing me to see how wrapped around your little finger I am already?"  I'm not sure WHY he needed to ask, it's clear :)

Playing at the naz

At the Grove City Christian Church school, Nazarine, there is a giant indoor play area.  This happens to be literally a mile or 2 from our house, and we popped in to take a look at their preschool as a potential for Amara.

It's a super nice preschool, very fun--we had a nice lunch there in their cafe' also, but play time was all about the nickel.  This little yellow car runs on nickels (thankfully) so we had a grand old time spending all that mom and dad could muster.

Sometimes she'd ride with a friend or two, but mostly she wanted to be in control.  I tried to get her up and climbing in the mazes, but some of them were a tad challenging for her--she's like that the first time we visit a new space.

It was pretty crummy outside and we had no where really to be, so we stayed quite a while.  They actually close to the public to let the school kids there play also, but we had a blast while we were there!