Ferdinand

Anna went to our community theatre to see "Ferdinand the Bull", the musical. We went with some of her best buddies, Rebecca and Nathan. It was a fun production, and the local talent is awesome. The kids were excited to catch real flowers being thrown into the audience at curtain call. (Thank goodness they each caught one, so no fighting or hurt feelings.) Maybe when Anna is older she can attend their youth academy. We'll see if she hears the siren's song of the stage.

Father's Day First

To celebrate Father's Day, we took Anna to see her first movie in the theater. We drove for over an hour just to see the Pixar film, UP!, in all of its 3-D IMAX glory. Anna enjoyed the first half of the experience, but it was rated PG so there were some scary parts and she tired of wearing the glasses. She loved getting to eat popcorn, and she got to share Mom's Sprite (whoo!--Soda!) Overall, it was a fun experience, but next time we'll go more low-tech.

A Whole Lotta Nothing

For having a weekend with no plans, today sure was busy, and it's still only 3:00! Daddy went to a golf tournament for work, leaving Mom and Anna open for a girl's day out adventure. This morning we went to the Lawrence Farmer's Market where Anna got to check out some real live bees making honey. She picked up some beeswax chapstick (so she can stop stealing Mom's) and some honey sticks. We then headed further east for some shopping and lunch at the T-Rex restaurant. She was a little startled at first by the animatronic dinosaurs and meteor shower, but just moments later, Anna said, "These dinosaurs are beautiful." She ended her meal with a a few bites of Dinosaur Tar Pit (chocolate pudding, Oreo crumbles and gummi dinos.) Yum! Back home, we're now taking a mid-afternoon Daddycakes break (indulgent, I know.) After a rest, we're out to run the less fun errands, such as grocery shopping, but depending on our endurance, mood and the weather, I hear there's a live outdoor concert going on tonight in town. Maybe we'll check it out.

It's Magic!

After a trip to the local Farmer's Market this morning, Anna and Mom went to The Toy Store and saw a magician perform. (Poor Daddy was left home to the mowing.) It was great! The magician involved the kids and mystified everyone, this adult included. For the finale, he had all of the kids help him "cook". So what do magicians cook, you ask? A large pot of lollipops! Of course, it's difficult to practice restraint at any toy store, regardless of your age, so we picked up a cool set of stomp rockets. Put the rockets on the launcher, give a hearty stomp, and watch them soar. So cool!

Wheels

While Anna has been enjoying her Like-a-Bike, we decided it was time for her to have a second set of wheels, this one with pedals and cranks. Her (pink) Schwinn tricycle arrived last night, but, alas, it was raining. Still, she pedaled around the living room a bit, and after the test drive we think it is a fine trike, indeed. We'll be sure to put some miles on it this weekend.

I also had to share a photo from last Monday. Anna decided to hold some type of rite of passage ritual for her dollies. While she donned a ceremonial tutu, their torsos were painted green and they were dragged through the pebble walkway. Hide the scissors!

It's Snowing!

Yesterday was a snow day. I know...I know. It's 80-some-odd degrees out. But with the cottonwood trees releasing their pods into the air, it practically looks like a blizzard outside. It's really lovely. To celebrate, we went out to get snow cones. I could write an ode to how wonderful Tad's Tropical-Sno is. Mom's favorite flavor is Cherry Bomb (cherry and cinnamon). Dad loves anything with strawberry in it. Anna's flavor? Birthday Cake. Yummy!!!

The weather has been so perfect, we've been grilling and eating outside nearly every night. While Mom heated up the grill for burgers, Anna helped shuck corn. This was her first shucking experience, but I think she's a natural. Later Anna painted her entire body with sidewalk chalk paint. She seems to be onto something. No mosquito bites!

Beautiful

Today was Mom and Dad's 9th wedding anniversary. Just another ordinary day, which around here means it was full of fun, beautiful moments, and lots of love and laughter. We feel very lucky. We are incredibly blessed.

Anna made dinner tonight, as you can see in the photo. I particularly loved the "strawberries" she put on top, along with the flower garnish. Perhaps a future chef??? Oh, no, never mind. I forgot, she plans to be a pirate.

The other day at the grocery store, Mom picked up a spaghetti squash. Since then, Anna has adopted it. She calls it her baby and keeps stealing it away (and has dropped it a few times). I'm not sure, but she may be thoroughly horrified when I cook it.