Let me reflect by saying, I don't remember what my first concert was. I remember going to see Tom Petty with Tim in high school--and I'm sure I went before that...
Last night, the girls and Eric and I went to see Marina, Kiki, Twist, and Shout, otherwise known as the Fresh Beat Band, at the Palace Theater.
Eric and I were so excited to take them, I am pretty sure we were more revved up then Amara was. Over the last few months, Cora has gotten into the musical aspect of it as much as Amara had, so we decided to take her too.
We waited till the day of the show to tell Amara what was going on...so the day started off as Pajama day at school...then we raced home to change, only telling her we were taking her to a big surprise. When we told her we were seeing Fresh Beat, it was clear she didn't get it, but she kept asking if this or that in the car on the way there was "the big surprise," it was sweet.
We finally got to the Palace garage just shy of 5:30. We walked in and it was kids everywhere--with glow sticks, and T-shirts, and food :) Eric and I had decided we would likely only stay till intermission but certainly not till the end of show (with Cora especially). We got Amara a purple Kiki and Marina t-shirt and her glow stick ($40) and went in to find our seats.
We were in the 2nd row of the louge, great seats! The show was a little late to start which made for some fidgety kids, but when it started, they were great. They kids all loved hearing the familiar songs. Cora yelled and bounced along, Amara just starred at the stage almost star struck. They sang favorites like "friend like you," "bananas" and the crowd favorite "freeze dance." It was a good mix of funny snippets from the TV show and songs mixed in with insanely fit dancers.
At intermission, Eric and Amara grabbed some M&Ms and water to tide them over--and Cora and I people-watched until the 2nd set began. About 2-3 songs in though, it was clear we should go. We listened to "Loco Legs" on our way out into the cold, and talked about the city at night on our way to the car. Because we were the minority leaving (I did see some others) we enjoyed a quick ride home and straight to bed.
As Fresh Beats always say "What a great day."
We ended up with an extra cake from Cora's party (long story)...but we decided to put it to good use--at the photo shoot. (Photos to follow) We wanted to capture it before it was destroyed!
As daddy was cleaning up from the photo shoot, Cora decided to be her usual charming self and help out. Could anyone deny that smile??? and trust me, the charming personality is right there behind it.
She loves her babies (ok, well, Amara's babies, but still...)
(playing with baby)
...not sure what this one was, but I thought it was sweet.
A rare but much valued hug with my two (tired) girls :)
We have enjoyed this session of WeJoySing, despite the speed bumps. We struggled with the late class times, which we turned into an opportunity that we loved. We all started going to class together and it was so much fun! Cora didn't get all the 'baby things' she would have in her class, but what she didn't get, she gained in listening and getting to do things as a family.
Some of the time Cora just takes off and does her own thing--Amara was doing the guitaro with Mrs. Kelly, and it was apparently too boring for Cora--she just took off around the room to make her social rounds for the night. We think we are taking the session off this next time, to reevaluate all our classes and start letting Amara choose--but we hope to get Cora back in her classes soon :) 
One thing we have not been short on this season is outside time. I'm pretty sure if Cora could choose, she'd be outside 100% of the time, and her choice? to walk.
She has this rhythm about the pat, pat, pat of her little Robeez on the sidewalk that just makes me smile.
While Cora is walking, Amara is busy jumping with her new friend Addision (Addi) from 3 houses down. She is 9, very much like Garhett, and has taken a shine to Amara. In fact, inside of a few play times together, she was teaching Amara to ride her bike!
In a moment of neighborhood play time, daddy busted out the t-ball set, and all of us took turns. Nothing like the 8, and 10 year old boys hitting from the pink and purple Step 2 t-ball set. I played outfield with Cora and Amara kept her friends supplied with water and snacks :)
Once she got the bat on her shoulder, she has a really good swing, and surprisingly, a great throw as well! She does the point and step perfectly and is much more on target than most 3 year olds I know...I hope she likes to play ball (selfishly).
Amara has been practicing and getting REALLY good at using her scissors lately.
After Amara's visit to Children's Hospital in the fall, I decided I was going to make quilts, and was dedicated to do it. When Amara checked in to her hospital room, on one of the scariest days of her life--someone had made a quilt for her and it was waiting for her. She found comfort in it, literally and figuratively, in a time when we all needed it. Whomever made that for Amara, took their time and love to make something for her--and I want to give back.
I don't expect Amara to get why this is so important, but I can only hope that she will learn why I'm doing this--taking time to make these for someone else, that we'll never meet, and that she'll understand and encourage me to keep going.
Spring came on so early in '12--and I think it was only modified by the fact that we had such a mild and fleeting winter on top of it (have you seen any snow pictures at all this year??) As soon as it got warm, it's gotten hot. It's been in the 80's in MARCH!
But, never to miss an opportunity, we dusted off the play shoes, and strollers, outside toys and sunscreen, and we've been hitting the parks and sidewalks as much as we can. We love being outside! I never had any sidewalks growing up, so I love getting out and enjoying our after dinner walks, afternoon play sessions, and everything in between.
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