Bunnies

For some hare-brained reason, I got the idea that we should find a pet store that had bunnies--being so close to Easter time.

We were in luck! Pet Mart in GC had a mom, dad, and baby rabbit--and will be getting even more closer to Easter!

We headed in (since we needed Illy food too--and we ALWAYS need new toys) on a lazy Sunday morning, to see just how this rabbit venture would go.

When we got in, we saw the big mama rabbit, and in the next glass area--the big daddy rabbit, and in a tiny corner with the mama, we spotted a tiny baby rabbit. We talked to the nice lady (Amara's name to helpful people in stores) and learned that the baby rabbit was only a couple weeks old--and much to Eric's dismay, already spoken for. (not that I REALLY thought we'd be buying a rabbit, but there is always that chance :))

The sales lady told us that the dad wasn't much of a cuddler and the mama kicks, (but we were interested in the baby anyway) so we were happy to take the tiny bunny out. Eric held her first--while Amara gently petted her. Of course she wanted "mommy hold it--" so I did (AND Amara) and the closer she got to the rabbit, the more I knew she wanted it. She was being so gentle with it, and by having Ily--I KNOW she knows how to be gentle with animals...so...

She finally let out "Beanie hold it!" and I let her. I gently took the bunny and placed it on her chest. She was so elated! Not too tight, just right--kind of more holding her like a book, than a bunny--she was SO soft, and Amara was so sweet with her--repeatedly saying "Awwww" and "soft" and "nice bunny." She amazes me, she wasn't one bit scared, held the bunny perfectly without a hint of dropping her or losing interest, and then completely understood when we told her she needed to go back to her mommy.

She proceeded to visit the fish, mice, picked out a blue bunny toy for Ily, and then said bye-bye to the rabbits for now. I'm sure if/ when we go back to visit, that little gal will have doubled in size, but hopefully there will be more visits and more bunny visits soon.

Tractor!

Amara and Grandma and Grandpa found this tractor at the John Deere store way back before Christmas. In fact--the bought it for her FOR Christmas, but there was so much commotion (combined with the fact she had already seen it) that we didn't even get it out in December.

With the recent thaws though--we thought that maybe now was a good time to get it out and take if for a spin.

Papaw went upstairs to get it out of the spare room, so we all gathered in the kitchen for the reveal. The boys had all come back to Grandma's after the basketball game, so they were all ready to play too :) After realizing the long lost tractor was hers, she took right to it--only then we realized she still wasn't quite tall enough to do it alone, or the seat needed moving, or something--but G stepped up as the motor man!

They ran a path between the living room and kitchen, (so much for outside, right?) back and forth, until one of them got bored with it (not sure which!), and they took a break. It was great though, she couldn't have been prouder--she got her John Deere hat out of the closet (just like all the big boys) and rode away, chasing the dogs--loving every second!

Carhardts

I'm pretty sure these belonged to the cousins at some point--seems you can never wear Carhardts out...

...all I know is Grandma Jackie couldn't wait for Amara to get to wear them outside! There was so much snow around--it was hard for to really walk much in it! As soon as it thawed a little, they got bundled up and headed outside!

The bundling up process (as we all know) is a lot of work--sometimes seeming like more than the time you spend outside, but she was a trooper. Out of the sweet dress and tights, and into the sweatshirt, overhauls, gloves and boots.

As they headed outside, one of her favorite people, uncle T showed up! Both were ready for a (rare) photo op :)

The swing (which has been hanging in the apple tree, taunting them since fall) was ready to go, and Amara was ready for a ride.

In the end, I'm not sure how long they stayed outside, but the fresh air was great, the Carhardts kept her warm, and (as always) another great day at Grandma and Grandpa Jahn's house.

Cousins/ G's bball game

After we left the Home Depot, we were (luckily) just minutes away from Buckeye Woods Elementary, where we knew G was about ready to start his game.

We got to the parking lot, and to our surprise, Kalvin and Jackson were tossing the ball around outside! We all snuck into the game (only a minute late) and saw Grandma and Grandpa and G and Uncle T!

There was a lot of action on the court, and while G was playing, Amara would cheer him on--but the second he came out, she looked to K/ J for entertainment. She fed them cheez-its, would scoot around on the floor between them, and during one break, Jackson even taught Amara how to drink from the little kids fountain! (since it IS an elementary school, things are a little lower than usual).

She LOVES her cousins, aka the boys. With them being in school during the year and us having so much to catch up on during the weekends, we mostly only see them at their games--or in passing at Grandma Jackie's house. All the more reason we LOVE to go when we can, so they can all be together! I can't wait until Easter--last year they were so cute helping her, this year they'll have to watch out! (not really, but it will be funny).

And they are so great with her--she gives they the cutest smile and most coy grin, and they take such great care of her...whether it's making sure she doesn't slip out onto the court, or boosting her up onto the slide, or helping with a toy, they are always there.

They ended up winning their league--and we even heard G made a shot-winning game with 8 seconds left today, what a guy!

Home Depot, Rain Gauge

We decided to take a break from swim lessons (largely because of the huge class size this session, forcing us into the BIG and COLD pool) so we wanted to find some other activities.

A friend told me about this kids workshop thing, the first Saturday of every month, so I called them. You can show up anytime between 9 and noon at any Home Depot. Each child gets an apron, a set of parts with instructions and a work area. Amara and dad sat down and got to work, with about a dozen other kids and families, of all ages. We found out AFTER we got there, that it is "targeted" at kids 5-12, but they insisted she come in and of course, she had help.)

When she sat down, I can't explain the smiles we were getting. It was a cross between "I can't believe you're ENCOURAGING ME to play with these tools," "look at all these kids!," and "WOW!"

She took right to sitting with daddy, and breaking out the parts. She took to the little rain gauge part that came with the project (they were making a rain gauge)--and wouldn't really let it go, though she did, just long enough to help daddy with the wood glue. She LOVES tubes, anything IN a tube, looking like a tube, etc.

Next was the pounding--that was mostly daddy, and I think that's when she was about ready to be done.

They proudly took the finished project up to the desk and received a certificate of completion, a pin for her apron, with the rain gauge project on it, and some stickers too!

It was a great time and great first project. We proudly have it in the kitchen (not sure any of us want it outside for 'real') and we can't wait for the next projects, butterfly houses and a picket fence planter!

Newest COSI family!

I can't believe we didn't do this sooner! That was pretty much the phrase I kept mumbling to myself over, and over, and over again. I had told myself that COSI was really for older kids--and frankly, I can't tell you the last time I was there--so in my defense, I plead ignorance...

...well, a friend from Amara's music class (well, his dad) and my mom were talking last week about classes they go to, from time to time. That got me looking at their website, and one thing led to another, and Eric and I decided to take Amara to COSI today.

They don't open until noon on Sunday--so it worked out ok for us. Around 2:30, when Amara got up, we all got ready, dressed and out the door. We hit McD's on the way up--since lunch was kind of skipped--Amara usually doesn't eat much right after eating, but we thought we'd have something for her, for a quick bite.

Upon entering, the amazement on Amara's face answered any questions about "becoming members" we may have had. The neon lights, kids everywhere, unicyclist overhead, etc. had her mesmerized! Dad got our (2 year) membership--and we headed for the "little kid area." I have no idea what it's really called, I just know that some super-smart doctor planned this amazing area for kids aged infant to 5 or 6, and I couldn't wait to see it.

I figured it'd be large, but it was HUGE! And it's in the old part of Bicentennial High School (I think that's what it was) with this great light, huge windows, and great view of the river and downtown.

Of course, kids everywhere--but like I said, PLENTY of space, and toys to accommodate the ages and levels of everyone there. Amara just took off going, and exploring, her little head spinning around and going as fast as she could go. Every so often, she'd turn to see if we were "keeping up" with her--but that was about it!

She found familiar things--a level (just like daddy's) and plenty of balls, but also new things too--like this cool bike/trike thing and a fun water table, where she dove right in!

The windows weren't just great for ambiance either, Amara LOVES buildings! We spent a good chunk of time looking at the river and talking about the buildings--and dad caught this shot ( I LOVE ) of her point at them as we talked about all of them.

I'm not sure if we'll ever make it to explore the REST of COSI--but for now, we are all LOVING this experience--and can't wait to go back.

We had passed a dippin' dots stand on the way in (which sounded like a perfect ending to a lot of playing) but it had closed--as we LITERALLY stayed till the "COSI is closing in 15 minutes..." announcement. So, without missing a beat--dad got us a Jr. Frosty from Wendy's, which hit the spot.

That little girl (and us, frankly) played our hearts out--we all enjoyed every second, and I do believe, that is MY new favorite place too--on the way out to the car, Eric said "now Beanie, when we say we're coming to COSI--this is what we mean..." and she echoed "COSI..." so I hope she gets it. If not, we have a SLEW of photos to remind her!

Dirty & Clean

For some reason, I have this believe that regardless of the mess it makes, 99% of the time I let it go--because I think Amara is "learning..." (clearly a character fault:))

That said--and with the knowledge of last summer's pudding painting, etc. it should come as no surprise that I encourage Amara to feed herself, try new tastes, activities, etc.--which often causes quite a mess (and cleanup for mom and dad).

A while back--I think it was Grandma (or daddy) who tried chocolate pudding, and surprisingly--Amara wanted nothing to do with it. I think I even tried it soon after the fact, and chalked it up to being "too sweet," ...though it was sugar free...oh well.

I should also mention that I try to "re-introduce" foods (because I read somewhere that works) several times to truly determine if a toddler doesn't like something, or was just surprised by it, or perhaps has a temperature/ texture issue (which I TOTALLY get).

For some reason, a pudding found its' way out onto the counter. Amara spotted it and asked for it, so I put a bib on and held my breath. Immediately she loved it--so much that she walked off with it! At that point, the "trying to get it back--" or even enough to get HER into her chair, was a dance between her, the pudding, the dog, and each other (oh, and dad with the camera).

In the end, we gave up, got out the little green clean machine (to clean up the aftermath) and just laughed about it.

LUCKILY--the same day, we received a BOAT LOAT of bath paint/soap products I had eagerly ordered a few days prior. Amara loves the bath--always has, so getting her in there has never really been an issue; however, one of her favorite toys recently bit it, and frankly--there wasn't a lot for her to do in there that didn't seem "too baby" for her now.

I decided to go creative. She LOVES to draw, paint, do crafts, etc. so I hoped this would work.

WOW, did it ever! She loved getting the paints all over her, mixing the colors, and getting it everywhere--and the best part? It didn't matter! We painted each others' hands, she painted her belly, she even tried to paint poor Ily! The soap paint smelled like bubble gum too, and didn't stain a single thing, so bonus for me!

Not only did we get to bring her love for art into the tub, AND help pudding clean-up, but we now are not shy on things to do in the tub for the next month or two (hopefully!)