The Aftermath

Egg Hunt 4 of 4....Finally!

Hunt #4 was at Mom and Dad's. All the family was there. A turkey was fried. A ham was cooked. Four cornhole boards were in play!

Egg Hunt 3 of 4 - The Easter Bunny made it to our place!

Heather and Trevor had over 120 eggs to find - indoors and out (was felling a bit guilty about the petting zoo).

Egg Hunt 2 of 4.

Saturday afternoon was the petting zoo's egg hunt. In the past they have let the little kids go first. This year was just a free for all - Trevor got 1 egg. Heather got 2. There simply weren't enough eggs or planning this year but they were not upset. They got to hold a duck and a bunny and take a pic with the Easter Bunny. There were only about 20 kids there!

Its Easter Time! Egg Hunt 1 of 4!

The kids had two hunts on Saturday and two on Sunday. Saturday started at Patrick's house. They enjoyed it immensely and several parents told me how they were the most well-mannered, well-behaved kids they ever have come across. They took turns helping the little ones find eggs and even gave some to some late comers.

Weekend

The weekend was pretty busy. Friday after the hell of Native Land, I re-landscaped the front flower beds. I think they turned out well - will have to snap photos. Sat night we went out to Red Robin with friends. Trevor puked all over the table so we did not stay long (thank goodness for backup clothes in the van). Sunday, we went to our neighbor's twins birthday party. The kids had a great time making crafts and eating cake. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well Trevor assimilated into the group - I could see a momentary look of panic on his face at the beginning. The new therapy of putting him in with kindergartners is clearly paying off. He was even able to leave Heather for some periods of time and go and explore on his own. Sunday night, Trevor puked up all the cake he had at the party. I'm not sure what's up with the puking, he's really been fine other then a runny nose everytime he goes outside. I think he has a slight allergy to pollen. Never a dull moment with kids! The butterflies have all made their cocoons except one. We are waiting for the one to build his and then I will move them into the net and they should hatch next week.

School Field Trip to "Native Land".

"Africa" - if you look closely you can see the shadows - I honestly believe

they were watching a big screen TV in there. Anytime kids came

near the tent they came out and told them to get away.

A SMALL sampling of the magnitude of people there.

Cowboy Willie and his horse.

Friday was Heather's second grade field trip - since the Senate was out of session, I was able to chaperone. I was assigned Heather and three other girls from her class and off we went to Native Land at Bull Run Park. When I looked it up on-line it looked like an interesting place. I noted the warning of no water and packing a blanket and stuffed both into my backpack. Off we went to Native Land! When we got there, we had already missed the first "act" of the day and thus had to start at the end and work our way back. The place was SWARMING with kids. I seriously believe every school in Fairfax County was there. The teacher told me they had cancelled two days that week due to rain and thus everyone was there then. We went and experienced the "comedy act". This consisted of a cowboy - Cowboy Willie. Cowboy Willie did not seem very experienced to me. He kept missing with his lasso during his tricks and after the third time it became apparent that it was not part of the act. He brought out his horse which was a dog. The kids thought it was very, very funny. I didn't ask Cowboy Willie for his autograph. After that we decided to go to the trading post and buy the crap they sold - Heather bought a drum and a sticky lizard. Two of the other girls in the group bought sticky lizards. The fourth girl opted out of the sticky lizard. We then attempted to move to the Native act which was the whole reason we were there I assumed. It consisted of two indians and a teepee. The kids were not allowed to go in the teepee. We waited for a bit watching about 100-150 kids run around in a circle like crazed midgets. I was scared. The girls were scared. They said lets go to lunch so we went to act three and waited for that act and ate. This was "Africa". Africa consisted of two huts and three black people (I'm not trying to sound racist). I had to explain to the girls that they were african and not natives and not indians. Heather wanted to know why they had the same rainboots from Target as her. We settled down and waited for the show. After the show, the girls started begging if they could go back to the bus. The fourth girl who did not opt for the sticky lizard purchase also started to have a meltdown about how she did not have a sticky lizard. We ended up going back to the bus. I asked Heather what she learned at Native Land - she said - I learned that Africans have my rainboots and they have two-sided drums. I kid you not - So.....I'm not a big fan of Native Land. Apparently next month is a trip to the zoo. Can't wait (you may detect some sarcasm in that comment).

Petting Zoo Never Gets Old for My Kiddos.

It amazes me that they still love this place and that they always find something new! This weekend they got to pet a baby kangeroo a zookeeper was holding. The rode the ponies, they fed the koi fish, they walked through the bird house, they danced with the parrots. They just geninely enjoy the place! The zoo has gone through an overhaul and looks pretty nice. They seem to be dropping a lot of money on the overhaul.

Last Week Was Interesting.

Caterpillars in the jar. They sent two.

If the kids open the butterfly net when they turn into butterflies in the house I may kill them.

We were dealing with the uncertainties of the Government shutting down and what that would mean - I rate, I got deemed "essential" which means you are in the same boat as the others but you work for free. Luckily they cut a deal late Friday night. Eric learned far more about Congress then he ever wanted to as I forced him to watch C-Span for several hours. The dog had surgery to remove some mysterious and huge bumps all over him - luckily they are cancer-free and our caterpillars arrived (birthday gift from Maryann and Matt). So....we currently have one pathetic dog, one guinea pig, two aging cats, three hermit crabs, four fish tanks and TENNNNNN caterpillars. Yes, I know you sang twelve days of Christmas as you read this - didn't you?!

Yeah I'm a Baller, so What?!

Heather was invited to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese (Chuck E. Cheese-its in Trevor speak) this weekend. Trevor would not stand for not going so I dumped Heather at the party and chased him around the place. He won over 600 tickets including three jackpots at various games. Even his sister was impressed with his mad skills!