Today at school, "Science Alive" came to Tara's room for a visit. I knew they were coming and got permission to go and, what else?....TAKE PICTURES!! They had a zoologist there to teach the kids all about the animals they were seeing. It was great. The kids LOVED it. Madeline had to come too so I could go. She was such a good little girl. As usual, I was a proud mommy.
Madeline looked so tiny sitting at that 1st grade table
First animal up was a chinchilla. Talk about soft! They have incredibly soft fur.
Then it was on to a parrot.
Tara's Teacher
And this is just a cute and adorable picture of my cute and adorable child!
And this one with her cute and adorable sissy .
Then came the creepy, icky, ucky 16 month old python. His name was String Bean. I don't know why, but when this snake was making it's rounds, I literally became nauseous. Now this is not like me considering every summer, the girls and I are out searching for, and then myself catching snakes for the girlies to pet. But this snake, draped over and around little first graders literally made me feel like I was going to lose my breakfast. .
Thank God Tara didn't want it wrapped around her. I may have very well wound up in the bathroom! You'll see that Madeline didn't quite like this beast as she coiled away from it. I don't blame her!
Then of course there was a visit from Royalty...The Frog Prince...
Okay fine...I added the crown in my digital art program.
Last was this adorable armadillo which, being nocturnal, was clearly wanting to be left somewhere very dark so it could sleep.
ALL the kids had a great time. It was really a cool the way the kids were able to touch and be so interactive through the whole process.
...So yesterday, out into the 12 below Zero weather we trekked for an afternoon filled with excitement, action, color, animals, noise and more!!! The last time I was at the circus, I was a 20 something and my friend Faye and I took my niece Shannon, who was a little girl at the time. Tara has been to the circus 2 times before. One time her Goofy Aunt Linda took her, and the 2nd time was with daddy while I was home with a terrible case of morning sickness as Madeline grew inside me. Yesterday was Madeline's first time ever.
Be sure to click play on this so you can better feel the atmosphere as you scroll through the photos.
Our first order of business was to buy programs so the girlies could collect autographs of the clowns. Our first clown encounter had Madeline thinking..."Huh? Who is this crazy looking guy and why did mommy thrust me into his arms?!"...
But by the next round of clowns, she kinda got the idea...
And of course an absolute MUST DO, was ride the elephant.
Which left Tara absolutely reeling with excitement. She could hardly contain herself..."That was SOOOOO COOL!!!!!"
Then it was back to the important job of collecting more clown autographs...
Then they had to hug these giant blow up guys. They actually had people inside them. Tara hugged the elephant and was done. Madeline hugged each and every one. I think there were around 5 of these guys.
And what would the circus be without a souvenir to play with at your seat??
Finally it was on with the show!... There were lots of tigers and even a lion...
Elephants
And of course there were amazing death defeating feats high up in the air....
Which left Tara spellbound...
Intermission and a date with a big 'ole bear
Then it was back to the show with performing dogs, monkeys, and clowns which I couldn't possibly post all the pictures here. But it ended with a loud patriotic flare...
Circus Tickets for all of us $60.00 (including daddy)
Parking $5.00
Programs $3.00 a piece
Elephant rides $14.00 for both of them
Souvenirs $16.00 for both of them
Popcorn and pop $6.00
Picture with bear $10
A day creating meaningful childhood memories....PRICELESS!!
She's my great niece. She is the most laid back, content baby you will ever know. She's such a little sweetie. I made my niece Shannon (her mommy) keep her tree up so I could take this photo shoot of her. What doll!!
Yesterday was supposed to be Tara's first day back to school since she's been sick, but to our surprise, a snow hit us that we didn't know was coming. School was closed, so we headed to a sledding hill . We met my friend and her kids there too. When I was a kid, we hardly EVER got snow days. Our district NEVER closed down. There were a couple times that I remember though. And those times were so exciting. I must say however, as a mom, the snow days are just as exciting for me now, as it was when I was a kid. It's fun to fill these unexpected days with fun memories for my kids . The hill was pretty steep.
So it was easy to get up decent speed with the right sled...
Getting back up the hill was tricky for the little ones. Madeline was able to pull herself up the rope here.
They also had tires you could crawl up for traction, but it took some effort to get to the tires, Trust me when I tell you that my kids were wore out and slept VERY well last night..
Ahhhh...to be a kid again. But truly, when Beth and I got on the sleds ourselves and shot down the hill, I felt like a kid again. This is beth. She has 4 children. Meghan is the oldest, and then she has triplets (Rachel, Ashley, and Zachery) who are Tara's age. Here's Beth hitting the hill...
The kids all had a blast along with us mommy's. I of course packed a couple thermoses filled with hot chocolate to add some sweetness to the excitement. It was a fun time for all!!
Last night she came in my room around 12:30 feeling just awful and on the verge of tears. "I can't sleep cause my throat hurts too bad". "Ron, will you go sleep in her bed so she can sleep with me?". Out he went, in she came. I gave her some Motrin for the pain and fever, and she stayed awake till 2:00am tossing and turning. I'm a tired mommy. She awoke this morning with her fever broke, sore throat subsided, and head ache gone . She still has her rash, but no longer on the face. Her rash is really itchy, but I gave her Benadryl and that is better too. And look...she even ate breakfast.. She ate about 1/2 of it. Thank you everyone for your prayers. We'll take it easy today, and head for the doctors tomorrow. Amazing what an antibiotic will do for ya!!
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You'll see that Madeline didn't quite like this beast as she coiled away from it. I don't blame her! 
. We met my friend and her kids there too. When I was a kid, we hardly EVER got snow days. Our district NEVER closed down. There were a couple times that I remember though. And those times were so exciting. I must say however, as a mom, the snow days are just as exciting for me now, as it was when I was a kid
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. She still has her rash, but no longer on the face. Her rash is really itchy, but I gave her Benadryl and that is better too. And look...she even ate breakfast.
