We have never been to Baby Animal Days at the American West Heritage Center. This year we (except Hannah, she went to a friend's house) decided to go, no matter what!! It was COLD, and snowy-ish. Grandma Charlene braved the cold with us. I'm glad we decided to go, it warmed up and was a nice day!
First up was the baby ducks and chicks. They were so soft!
There were lots of fun things to do. Like petting the mini horses, and getting your picture taken while standing on a log thingie...(Seriously, Pyper said "Mom take a picture of me standing on this thing." So I did!
We rode the train. But they made me ride alone. Pyper and Grandma rode in front of me...
Then Seth and Bugga rode behind me. But they couldn't share a car either...
They held the baby lambs. A lot. They were a favorite.
They all held the baby goats. I only got a picture of Pyper before I had to flee the cage. You see, there was one particular Momma Goat who was he!!-bent on biting my tush. It didn't matter where I went, she followed and tried to bite my rear. My kids thought it was the funniest thing, I was not so amused.
Next we went and held the baby bunnies. This picture is really dark because we were inside and I took these pics with my cell phone. Trust me, they really are holding bunnies!
There were pony rides too. But alas, Pyper was the only one small enough to ride the little ponies. The rest of us waved as she rode around. When she got off, she informed me it was kinda dumb to just ride around in a circle!
Last of all we went and saw the baby bears that were there from Bear World. They were so cute and we were having so much fun watching them that I forgot to take a picture of them. But I got one of this cute little bear...
At Seth's school, they give the kids the opportunity to participate in different after school activities. Seth chose to do archery. He had a competition in Salt Lake yesterday. While he didn't get a hat or plaque, he DID manage to hit the target every single time...I think that is a HUGE feat itself, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been so lucky!
So, just a few days ago, I posted about how the "Pyperisms" were becoming fewer and farther between. wouldn't you know it, she came up with another one!
Pyper was doing her homework on Saturday, and she came running out to me and said, "Mom, have you seen the Bionical pencils?"
Me: "The Bionical pencils?"
Pyper: "Yeah, you know, the Bionical ones, they have that writer stuff that you click out?"
She meant MECHANICAL pencils. I really should correct her, but she is just so dang funny!
It's been a while since there was a "Pyperism". She's getting bigger and they are getting fewer and farther between, sadly. But today I asked her to get something for me...
Mom:" Pyps, can you run grab me ...."(I actually can't remember what I asked her to get!)
Pyper: "Sure!"
Mom:...waits for a very long time..."Pyps, did you get lost?"
Pyper: "Oh, sorry Mom, I just got side distracted!"
Last year for Christmas, Bugga got an American Girl doll. Pyper loved it and asked Santa for one this year. He delivered. They have had lots of fun playing "American Girls" together. Mrs. Claus made sure there were lots of clothes for both dolls this year, but must have ran out of time to make them a little jacket. It's been quite chilly here, so I rummaged through my fabric stash ad found some fleece and whipped up some jackets for the dolls yesterday. Bugga got an Air Swimmer for Christmas this year (it's pretty cool), and it came with a helium tank to fill it. She decided to fill up a balloon for her and Pyper (because floaty balloons are COOL!). Then they decided that it would be very nifty if their dolls could have a balloon too. Being the resourceful mom that I am, I pulled out the smallest balloons I could find, filled them up, tied on a string, and VOILA!
I was "the bomb diggity"...at least that's what Bugga told me. Pyper said I was "the best mom EH-VA!" Who knew a couple of balloons would make me so awesome!
At the elementary school, the 4th and 5th graders can take an after school orchestra class. It is sponsored by the Mountain West String Academy, and there are 16 elementary schools throughout the valley that participate. Lyra thought that it sounded like a lot of fun, and decided to play the violin. After a few "concerts" at home and many days practicing (I'm happy to report that no earplugs have been involved!) she had her very first performances this past weekend. On Friday, her class performed at school. They did a great job! I am a great mom and there were no batteries in my camera, so there are just phone pictures of that one.
She's the second from the left on the back row. The one with her music stand so high that you can't see her face!
Then On Monday night, she had another concert. Only this time it was at the Kent Concert Hall and all of the students from all of the schools were there! This time I made sure the camera batteries were fresh! First, Bugga was pulling some pretty silly faces. She said she was looking for us and had decided we weren't there! Guess we just dropped her off and decided to go home! That girl, she makes me laugh!
The first song they played was called Largo. I think they did a pretty great job! I must say, I was very surprised! All of the kids on the stage are first year students. The ones down in the orchestra pit were the second year students, but I don't think I got a good shot of them.
Then they played Hot Cross Buns and then Lullaby. Lullaby is Lyra's very favorite song they play. She plays it for us often at home.
The conductor and the kids thought that maybe if they played Lullaby again, they might get more applause. So they did! And they did indeed get more applause!
After the first year students showed off their skills, it was the second year students turn. Sorry, I didn't record them, I don't know any of them! You'll have to wait until next year to see that! BUT, the end of the concert was both the first year and second year students playing Here We Come A Caroling.
We made sure she got some flowers, since all great musicians get flowers at their concerts!
Then we all stuffed ourselves at the Pizza Pie Cafe with Grandma and Grandpa. Lyra even said it was ALMOST as good as Golden Corral, which her very most favorite place to eat! I think the Oreo pizza may have had something to do with that!
Way to go Buggy! We are very proud of you and love the sounds of beautiful violin music you play for us!
Tonight was our Ward Christmas Party. It was a "Night in Bethlehem" and you could dress up if you wanted to. My kids dressed up as shepherds (in other words, they wore their bathrobes!). None of the other kids would let me take a picture, but I got a cute one of the Pyper-shepherd with Santa!
Do you think that shepherds had Hannah Montana Snuggies?
Dave and Tonya have been married for 20 years. Tonya is a Pepsi-drinking, chocoholic, stay at home mom, Dave is a Coca Cola-addicted small carnival owner. We have 4 AMAZING kids and a dog who thinks she is human. Hannah is 18, Seth is 15, Lyra (Bug) is 13, and Pyper is 10. Evona is our cute little four-legged family member.
