Lunch with the Easter Bunny

This year Grandpa decided to join us for the Easter bunny lunch at the Y!  It was SO squishy outside, I didn't know how they'd pull it off, but we went, got our seat and got ready.  We ran into some friends (dad can't really go anywhere without knowing SOMEONE) and enjoyed our time with the crafts and lunch, while Cora slept through most of the whole event.

They had the usual crafts, decorating sugar cookies, of course lunch (hot dog, chips, orange, banana, and some crazy cool-aid in a barrel)...and the main attraction, Mr. Easter Bunny himself.

It was looking promising for the outdoor hunt, but about 15 minutes before, it DUMPED rain outside, and they reverted to plan B...indoor hunt.

I don't think the kids minded much, the Y was fun about it, they even hid an egg in Grandpa's shirt pocket! They were on chairs, under tables, etc. to give the kids a little more than just putting them on the gym floor.

We started packing up to go as Amara was opening all her chocolate, and that was a good time to distract and get moving!

Ms. Sarah

Miss Sarah is our new BLESSING of a day care provider for the girls.

Let's see...I feel like I could go on for days about her, but she has a degree in early childhood ed, went to a Christian college where she met her husband, has been on a missionary trip (last year in fact) and has a 3 yr. old son, Jonathan.

We've only been with her a short while (in fact, this is week 2) but things are going SO well with her.  Cora gives her the big smile when we get there and today, Beanie didn't even cry when I left, that is HUGE!

We met her through our old neighbor on Schuylar, Lisa, who also watches kiddos in her home. 

She plans fun days of crafts and activities for the kiddos and had SUCH a special day for Amara's birthday last week.  They made cookies, did a craft where they made crowns, took a walk, and she even made Amara all her favorite foods for the day!  It's so fun for her to get to try new things and make new friends :)

She's also homeschooling her son, so Amara (and eventually Cora) will benefit from her background and experience as well. She'll be coming home smarter than mom and dad at 3 I'm sure!

I feel so lucky that we found her and so happy she watches over my lovelies during the day.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU Ms. Sarah!!

Trampoline (happy b day beanie!)

Doesn't this picture say it all?  

We decided on this for Amara's birthday a few months back and couldn't wait for it to arrive!  After our big zoo trip, the guys showed up to install it for us and Amara was very curious to say the least. 

I was inside with Cora at the time, but Eric came in to tell me she had figured it out. I guess they got the supports on the thing and she said "I think they are building me a trampoline!" Eric said "oh really?" and left it at that...stinker :)  She waited patiently for them to finish and pack up, but as soon as they were gone, she was already climbing the ladder!

She started running in circles, doing flips, and asking us "what next..." which is the trampoline equivalent of me begging my poor mom to "tell me what to do" at the pool for I don't know how many summers in a row.  Kids really do 'pay you back' in that way.  I mean how many different tricks can you have a 3 year old do?  I guess I'd better start getting creative!

Running around in circles was pretty fun.  I asked her to run in the other direction and (as most of us do) she struggled with the mechanics of it and quickly went back to her more comfortable direction.

Jumping as high as she can--or as high as her 34 pound body will allow her!  It will be fun to watch her grow with this, and eventually Cora--assuming she is sharing by that point.  I'm so glad she had exposure to the trampoline with Tumble Bears last fall and up at Recreation Outlet where we found this.  I'm sure we'll have many more fun evenings with friends ahead!

Did I mention we have it locked up when we're not in it?  ;)  Eric suggested getting her blanket and pillow and letting her sleep out there, but I wouldn't put anything past her!

annual zoo birthday trip

Beanie's big birthday zoo trip day!  A day we (at least Eric and I) look forward to, and this makes our 3rd year!  This year (as it will about half of the time) her birthday fell on Memorial day weekend, so knowing it'd be packed, we headed for the zoo at 9 when gates opened.  Grandma Young surprised Beanie with doughnuts at home and followed us up there, and we had a warm day, just slightly overcast, perfect for the zoo!

  After visiting the polar bears and finding them still sleeping (LITERALLY) we headed towards the carousel.  The flamingos were out and prancing around though, so we stopped to watch them for a few minutes. We watched the weirdest exchange though, one of the zoo keepers snuck in and took one of their eggs from the exhibit!  When they came back over, they were looking for it and certainly didn't "miss" what happened.  We kind of felt badly for them!

  At the carousel, we all took turns riding with Amara and Grandma got some time with Cora when she woke up.  I'm not sure if we rode it 3 or 4 times, but it was field trip day, so it was very full of kids--she loved to watch.

  One of the trips Amara wanted to ride on the bench.  This was a surprising first for us, never even asked about it before!

We headed off to see the manatee after that, then on to the monkeys--with each passing moment though, the zoo was growing more and more crowded and we knew we were getting close to go time. 

  Waiting outside to see the Lorakeets, this was the face I got when I asked her to look at me--HOPING to get a picture of both girls at the zoo.  Silly mom.  I have to say, this was right before we left, having clearly pushed past our "fun" window for the zoo.  We know we have about an hour and a half, but we were all the way in Australia, 20 minutes from the car, and overstretched our welcome, so to speak.

A trip to the zoo is never complete without the gift shop.  A bucked hat for Cora (that in this picture looks HUGE on her, but in reality fits her perfectly) and a flamingo for Amara--oh, and the tiny blue tiger from Grandma :)

We had a great trip and visit, no crazy sunburns or mishaps (knock on wood) and already looking forward to our next trip!

Siesta

We got this little cot for Amara to use at Miss Sarah's, similar to what she uses at preschool.  It's like those fold up sports chairs, so it's very portable and cute.  Amara was thrilled to see me get it out and set it up, so being as it was SUPER hot and we were all in the garage working anyway (and she had been spraying Ily with the sprayer in the yard) I put it on the porch.

First she was sitting on it, then lying on it, then asked for her green blanket.  I think she likes the satin-y feel on her face, especially when she's sleepy.

While I rocked and nursed Cora, Bean laid there and listened to the fountain trickling and nodded off.  Heck, I was sleepy too!  They enjoyed a little cat nap on the porch, even in the heat, and I think it's safe to say she likes her new cot (which, incidentally, she calls a "pot"--even though Eric has tried to correct her :))  

3 years and 3 months: checkups and pics

The AMAZING Susie Jarvis took the girls first photo shoot together--surprise, surprise, it was momentous.  She was able to get great shots of both girls, and some beautiful ones of them together.

Amara's beautiful smile, JUST under 3 years old.  She's grown up so fast!  Cora, always wide-eyed, couldn't take her eyes off Susie!  We just had their checkups yesterday and Amara is 34 lbs and 38 inches tall, 75% in both categories.  She didn't have to get any shots, and Dr. Dicarlo said she seemed great and he'd see her in a year!

Little sis' Cora was also a peach.  She is 14 lbs. 11 oz, putting her in the 89% (down from last month's 95%) and her height is 23 1/4 putting her in the 75%.  She got 2 shots, but only cried for a second, and smiled widely at Ashley as soon as I picked her up.  Amara quickly claimed her sucker and stickers from Dr. Dicarlo and we were out the door. 

I feel SO amazingly lucky to have these girls and cherish every moment with both of them!

Spring Fling: Primrose

Last Friday was the 2nd annual Spring Fling event at Primrose, Amara's school.  I'd heard about the event and it sounded great: bounce house, face painting, child IDs, balloon animals, petting zoo, etc. and JUST up the road from us!

We headed over around 6, later than our typical outing, but we were really trying to make Amara comfortable at her school.  The whole way there, she kept saying "you're not going to leave, you're going to stay with me."  We had to convince her to get out of the car!

Once we got there, she was all into it.  We saw her teachers, Miss Shirey, Miss Turley, and many faces and friends we don't know yet.  We played a golf game, plinko, got a green giraffe balloon animal, played a cornhole type pig game, and played a lot on the different playground sets.  I even bid on a round of golf at Pinnacle for Eric but lost out in the end.

She aslo enjoyed her hot dog and brownie (with sprinkles) before we headed out to the fire house and petting zoo area--then we headed home.  Even though we were there later than normal, we all had a lot of fun and saw a lot of new faces.  It was fun and the first of many fun Summer events for all of us!

I was so glad some of our friends could go and join the event too, Amanda and her family made it out as well as Annie and her family too!  I hope everyone had as great a time as we did!  We're building quite the little network for events with all the great happenings around Columbus for sure!