Spring Break Day 2

The Renaissance Fair! Kevin and I have talked about going to for years, but this spring break we finally did it. We got there just before the gates opened (along with about 100 other people). Lords and ladies were walking around greeting people. Then the King and Queen arrived with their entourage...we all had to bow for them. Ella was not sure what was going on at first. I was amazed once we walked through the gates. I thought it was going to be a bunch of tents, but it buildings and stages...a regular village. One of the first buildings we passed was a bakery...I stored that information away for later in the day. Our first stop was to the London Broil juggling act. They were funny as well as talented. Ella was amazed! Afterwards we continued around the village, stopping to check out the shops and buildings. Ella met Mother Goose, practiced shooting a crossbow, and had her picture taken with knight's armor. Our next show was middle eastern music and dancers. Ella told me she wants to learn to belly dance now! She has not stopped bugging me to teacher her how to belly dance since she learned I took classes a few years ago. After lunch (roasted chicken and pork shank...No turkey legs for us) we headed over to the rope climber. Luckily she has not asked if she can hang a rope across the porch! How many 7 year olds have ridden an elephant???? Mine has twice! We attended the afternoon joust...our knight won (he cheated!) Check out the wench's sign!!! The last stop of the day was Ella trying to scale the castle walls! It was a long day, but worth it. Definitely going back next year.

Spring Break Fun Day 1

Kevin and I had the first 2 days of Spring Break planned with fun things for Ella to do down in Phoenix. It was fun for us too!!! On our way to the Arizona Science Museum there was a photo opt with some GIANT BUGS! Where else but downtown Phoenix can you take your picture on humongous copper bugs????

Ella liked the Arizona Science Museum. She thought everything was a game. She was not into learning why the exhibits were there, maybe next time. She spent a lot of time running from one thing to the next and smiling, so she must have been having fun. Where else can Mommy make you lay on a bed of nails.....I did not tell her beforehand what I was doing which probably helped! Once she found out she was not too thrilled, until she made Daddy try it too.

There were so many great things to see and learn. Kevin and I had a blast learning at each of the exhibits. Ella liked pushing the hands to make sound vibrations and riding on the chair pulleys. Of course she is freakishly strong, so NONE of them felt harder!

The rock climbing wall between the 3rd and 4th story was one of the best parts of the museum. This was the first time she has every rock climbed and she did it like an expert. No fear, just straight up the wall and then she repealed down like a champ. She put the boy who went before her to shame! Of course if we would have let her or had the time she would have done it at least a dozen more times!

Next stop....The Children's Museum in the old Monroe School. I was amazed at the art work and sculptures around the entire building. They had an entire wall of shoes all painted white and a ceiling covered in silverware made to look like a net. The classrooms as well as the halls are filled with things for the kids to play with. These tubes have suck bean bags through and then spit them out at various spots. Ella would put a bean bag in and then step back and wait for it to come flying out. She would laugh and then do it again! There were spoon frogs and laundry detergent fishes covering the walls of the grocery store and kitchen areas. These were two of Ella's favorite places to play. She made her own pizza and cooked it up in the wood fired pizza oven. Then she checked out all of the kids who had groceries. She would have stayed there for hours scanning the bar codes and making it beep. It was so cute seeing her be a kid. We got to the Art Room right before closing so we did not get to spend a lot of time there. Ella was able to paint the castle and make leaves for the tree house. Next time we will get to the Children's Museum early and take advantage of the Art Room since it something Ella loves to do. I would have like to have been able to do water colors and dough animals with her.

Play Ball!

Last night was Ella's 1st Coach Pitch Softball game. Of course, it was super cold and windy!

Ella batted clean-up and did pretty good for it being her first game. She went 1 for 2. Running though the bases and top speed is something we need to work at! She was out at first on her first at bat.

She only had a chance to field 2 hits while playing short-stop. She threw one ball to 1st (or at least in that direction) and tagged 3rd for a forced out. This play ended her first game.

The Pink Panthers did not win, but she had fun and is learning the fundamentals. 2nd game is Thursday night!

ABRACADABRA!

Ella spent most of the afternoon practicing her magic. Some day she might be the headlining magician in Las Vegas. Check out her first act.

It's Opening Day!

Today was opening day for Ella's Coach Pitch Softball Season. It was pretty much an all day event. Pictures were are 9am and the awards did not even finish till after 1 pm.



Speedy Ella participated in the base running contest. She did great and ran the bases in 14 seconds!! Way to go. Next, she competed in hit-a-thon. She hit the ball 95 feet. Much better than last season.

We were the 2nd team to compete, so when we were done it was time to wait. One of the fundraisers the ASA Softball League was doing was throwing soaking wet sponges at your coach. The kids loved it, not to sure how much Kylie liked it.




By the end of the day Ella was tired and sad because she did not win an individual awards. I tried to tell her she has something to work towards for next year. Not sure if she believed me, but she at least smiled.

Our first game is on Tuesday and I am sure she will do GREAT!

Cleaning and more cleaning

Well, the floor is finally down! We still have all of the base boards and trim to do, but it is looking great. BUNCO is tomorrow night, so Kevin and I have been busy cleaning for the last two days. I can't beleive how much dust there is and where it is for that matter. I will probably end up cleaning again before the party.