Saturday, April 6, 2013

Zoo School!

On my last day of Spring Break, before I had to return to jury duty...thank you Ceasar Chavez for giving me one more day with my little man before returning to my civic duty...Landry and I went to a toddler class at the zoo...all about ELELPHANTS!!!
 
Our zoo does a series of classes every year for toddlers. Each week they offer a class that focuses on a different animal or region in the world. Last year I saw that they had one on elephants and I really wanted to sign Landry up. Unfortunately it was only offered on days that I work. This year I was so excited when I saw the schedule and saw that one of the elephant days was on my last day of Spring Break. Yippee...elephant class!!! Then jury duty came along...and I realized that I might have to miss it...I was sooooo bummed. Then our wonderful judge informed us that the Monday after Easter was Ceasar Chavez Day...NO COURT!!!! WOOHOO!!!
 
So, Monday came and the two of us headed to the zoo. Mr. Routine was a bit confused because Amy and Erin were not coming with us...we had just been to the zoo together 3 days before. :) Other changes...we parked in a different spot, entered through a different gate, and didn't have our stroller. He really is a man of his routine...all of these difference had him convinced that I didn't know what I was doing...and that we weren't really going to the zoo to learn about the "ewephants."
 
Rest assured...I did know what I was doing...shocking...I know! :) The class started with the kids getting to play in the room and explore a bit. Landry stayed as close to my side as possible...no exploring for him...surprising? Then it was time for them to sit at the carpet, listen to an elephant song, and learn all about them.
 
Here is Landry touching an elephant tail...
 
 
and an elephant foot.

 
Next...it was time to make an elephant craft. Here is Landry glueing on the trunk...

 
then the ears...

 
finally the tusks!
 
 
All done...cutest elephant this mama has ever seen! :)

 
After our craft the teacher told us that we were going to get to meet with the elephant trainer, go to their tower, and feed the elephants! I'm not really sure who was more excited...Landry because he was going to get to feed the "ewephants" or me...because Landry would get to feed the elephants! We headed over to see Landry's two favorite friends at the zoo. We got to go "behind the scenes" up to the training tower. The trainer called over both of the elephants...


 
then gave each of the kids a handful of carrots for them to throw over to the elephants.
Someone could hardly wait to throw them...

 
Snack time!

 
Landry wanted to touch the elephants because they were so much closer to us than they normally are. When I told him he couldn't touch them, he was so sweet and said,
"Dat's ok, Mommy. Cuz I just fed him carwots...and dats pitty special. Maybe I touch dem yater"
Yes, sweet thing...it is pretty special...and if Mama ever hears of an opportunity for you to touch them, I promise we'll figure it out. :)

 
Overall Landry had so much fun! His favorite part was feeding them of course...and being able to watch them up close. He also thought it was "pitty siwy" that they have hair on their back...and now whenever he eats carrots he tells me, "Wook Mama...I'm eating carwots...yike da ewephants at da zoo." It was the perfect way to end my Spring Break. :)

Monday, April 1, 2013

Easter "Egg"stravaganza!

Our Easter week festivities started with taking pictures with the "munnies"...which sadly this year are now "bunnies!" If you remember last year...Landry LOVED the "munnies." Well this year was the same...he couldn't wait to go see the bunnies again.
 
 
The next day he got his Easter basket from G.G. and Poppie!

 
On Thursday Auntie K.K. and Nawnie came over to dye eggs.

 
"Ohhh...yook at da bue one!"

 
Auntie K.K. brought lots of neat kits...one of them was even tie-dye...so he got to swirl all of the colors on the egg.



 
Sunday morning Landry woke up and found this trail...
 
 
all the way into the living room to...

 
his Easter Basket from the Easter Bunny!


 
Checking out the ducky that "poops" candy! :)

 
"Gyoves" to help Mommy in the yard...

 
and a Dora activity book...woohoo!!!

 
After a morning of Easter basket fun it was time to get into our "Spring Best" for our Easter lunch...complete with a little bunny!
 
 
Auntie K.K. brought him a special basket filled with candy, sidewalk chalk, and all 3 Madagascar movies!

 
How do I get to the candy?

 
Great Nana had a basket filled with bubble fun, gardening tools, and undies, too!

 
Nawnie and Papa gave a basket filled with water toys, books, and a stylish shirt that even has a cape!

 
After all of those baskets it was time to eat!
Here's a look at our spring table decor...
 

 
After a delicious lunch it was time for the hunt to begin!!!!

 
Some of the eggs were easy to find...
 

 
some were a little harder...

 
and some were even harder than we thought...where is it?

 
There it is!!!

 
Landry had a lot of fun finding the eggs and even decided that he should hide some for us to find! It was hilarious!!!! He told all of us to go inside, then he hid them with the help of Chad and Great Nana. He would tell us he was ready for us then he would run and show us where they all were!

 
Chad got a bit "tired" of the egg hunt so he grabbed the squirt guns Nawnie and Papa gave Landry and... a whole new game started!
 
 
It quickly turned into a shoot-out!

 
He LOVED squirting Nawnie and me...


 
Nawnie loved squirting him...

 
and Chad sat quietly...shooting everyone!!!!

 
At one point they both ganged up and were shooting me! I have to say, Landry has really good aim...and is relentless...gotta be the Lofgren blood! :)
 
 
All wet...time for dessert!!!

 
We all had a great afternoon and enjoyed our time together as a family!
 
Landry and Auntie K.K.

 
Landry with Nawnie and Papa

 
and of course me...with my two favorite boys!

 
We hope you had a wonderful Easter with your loved ones!
Tomorrow it is back to reality...and jury duty for me. :)