Weekends don't get better than this. I have to assume Eric put something in the Breaking Bad themed mug I got him for Valentine's Day...
Cora flopped over on her giant duck in footy PJs on the couch--watching Baymax (Big Hero 6) for the 90th time...
And Amara in the recliner by the fireplace...
On March 26, six weeks after getting the cast on, it came off. We were all stoked for Amara's big day and were up and headed downtown when it seemed she was getting a tad nervous.
By the time the arm had been x-ray'd checked, and prepped, Mike--the same man who put the cast ON, was in to take it off. He had some kind of shop vac looking contraption with a vibrating head on it.
I video-recorded the buzzing part and it was literally under a minute, he cut up one side, down the other, used some big nutcracker looking pliers and popped it right off, it was insane!
She said it looked and felt funny. At first she wouldn't straighten it, and we opted for a splint to be put on for a little more protection--so we washed her hand up and then Mike got back to work.
She came in with a cast, had x-rays, cast off, splint on and we were on our way. She can wear the splint on and off for 2 more weeks, then nothing--and we have one last check up (4 weeks post cast) 10 weeks post break for a final check. I swear this has gone fast and she has taken it so in stride, I'm in awe. 
Amara is almost always a leader--and if not a leader, then the boss, especially of her sister...but at school, she's different. She's GENUINELY a leader and kids follow her--not because she's older or commands attention or is charismatic, but because she HELPS them. I'm so glad I get to see and catch these glimpses when I'm at school from time to time.
Whether she's reading to one of the kids who struggles, reaching for something higher, or just grabbing a teacher or aide for help--she is truly helping her fellow student in ways I'm SO SO proud of. 
She listens really well to Ms. Bice and though she has her needy moments like the rest of the kids, I See her lead and help much more often than not. It's awesome.
In an otherwise slam-packed weekend, we had to find time to fit in one of our favorite traditions to see the Easter bunny and sample some yummy local chocolates--at the Anthony Thomas chocolate factory tour. 
Mom and dad decided to come--I think a first for dad in all these years, but even that couldn't distract me from the moment I've dreaded...that tour when both girls are big enough to see over the glass without help. The girls were sweet and still let us help, but they really didn't need it :(
We marveled at the candy corn, drenched berries, hollow bunnies and vats and vats of chocolate. We also waived at the women and men in the factory below--addressing each candy with precision and smiling all the way as we moved along the catwalk. I love the surprise in the girls' voices when they recognize one of the chocolates or see the familiar Buckeye candy packaging on the assembly line rolling along. 
Another 'best part,' those FRESH samples at the end. I picked a dark vanilla cream, Eric got a dark chocolate cream and the ladies both picked--Buckeyes, of course.
We shopped a little inside before checking out and heading for the trolly ride, but first one more quick pic with the cute bunny in bibs out front. The girls loved the trolly ride back to our car too and as soon as we came, we were done and on the way. One more year they let me live and love their amazement ;) score!
Cheerlebrity was a new competition to us and kind of neat! It was kind of American Idol like, in that the judges gave the kids live feedback on stage after they competed. Amara did REALLY well for herself and amazing for just having come back off of a 5 week broken arm hiatus. She had a week or two left in the cast, but was healed enough that Dr. Kortney said she was fine to work in some adaptations and get out there and dance.
She rocked her new moves, cast and all--and even got a shout out to "my homegirl rocking the broken arm" by the emcee of the event! Amara went to the few practices before the competition and worked the hardest I've seen her work. She would get sweaty and complain that the cast was hot--I'm sure it was, but she wanted to press on and get things just right. 
It was a long day though and Cora wanted to stay with sissy and watch more teams so that's what we did. We sat up in the stands and enjoyed our time together, in a loud place but in a quiet way.
They got to spend a lot of time together, had lunch, and played games--bouncing around the convention center. It gave them room to explore and be "big girls," but still have us safe around the corner for them.
Although they placed 6th, the team was looking better than it ever had. Amara still loves the performing, hair and makeup, and costume just as much as the dance and as long as she loves it, we will give up a few weekends a year for hip hop for sure.
The girls (particularly Amara) are obsessed with "challenge videos" on YouTube and Nerdy Nummies in particular. She loves the pizza and smoothie challenges, but as their tastes aren't exactly THAT diverse, I figured we could start slow and do the cheeseburger challenge, and use that for dinner.
It was a super fun supper and Amara was telling everyone about it for days. I told her we could do a chicken challenge next and she is considering doing an ice cream challenge theme for her birthday. She certainly keeps my mind hopping and I just love making her dreams a reality.
After the 2nd period review for Amara and getting rave reviews, we were happy to go out and celebrate with Grandma and Grandpa. We went for pizza, but the company was the best part.
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