Mini Vacation

This weekend we decided to take a short, mini vacation to see Elmo. When we arrived at the hotel, they had gotten our room wrong. We had reserved a suite (so much easier with a child) but when we got to our room, it wasn't a suite. Cory went down to the front desk and got things straightened out and we got a WICKED AWESOME room after that. It is probably the biggest room I have ever stayed in. I could have lived out of that suite for several weeks. Then came the Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music. It was really a great show. I mean, not my first choice for date night, but I have to confess to singing along and tapping my foot. The cast did a really great job. I can't imagine dancing around on stage in a Big Bird costume. I wasn't sure how Sophia would do during the show. She is a mover and shaker. I think the longest she has ever sit in one spot is maybe 20 minutes and this was an hour and a half show. But she did great. I guess Sesame Street is prepared for that and makes it so interesting that kids just pay attention. After the show we decided to have room service. We had such a great room and it is so much easier being in a place where Sophia can run around than trying to eat at a restaurant. It was Cory's idea and it was a great one. Sophia was worn out and went to bed no problem after dinner and a bath with Daddy. Cory and I enjoyed our living room area and watched the U of L game. (so sad)

On Sunday morning we ate breakfast in the room again and then spent some time in the pool. I am happy to report that Sophia remembered a lot of things from swim class and enjoyed kicking from one side of the pool to the other. Then we packed up and came home. It was a really great weekend and I am so glad that we went. Sophia was a really good girl and a joy to travel with.






Is that a killer room or what??


Sophia was all Elmo-ed out. Notice even the hairbows were Elmo.



The theater was really cool. It was tiled to look like the inside of a theater. Too bad that lampost was in the way. They really could have been more considerate. Don't they care about us bloggers?



We tried to get her picture a few times but she just kept staring at the characters. Not the optimum blog picture, but it shows her fascination.




Having fun before the show




This is how she was throughout the entire show. I love this picture of her on my lap with her Elmo doll. She was so cute.



Opening of the show

John Travolta, I mean Ernie.


They even had a short part that was Elmo's World. All the kids sang along to the opening song. I will confess, I sang too.


Clapping with Daddy and relaxing on Momma.


I loved Oscar. He is so cute.


The lights, costumes, music were all so good.


Sophia's first room service. I think I was 28 the first time I had room service. She leads such a charmed life.


Loving the orange that came with breakfast. Daddy enjoyed his french toast.


Trying to get a bite of Momma's pancakes. Those things are slippery.


Swimming can sure make a little girl hungry.

Happy Birthday Pardie!!

Saturday was Pardie's 60th Birthday. We celebrated on Friday since Saturday was the big trip to see Elmo. We wanted to go to Olive Garden but the wait was an hour so we decided to go to IHOP. The theme for Pardie's party (ha ha) was both "over the hill" and "Thomas the Train" since he has such a love for trains. We got him this nifty ribbon, which he was a good sport about, and wore through the whole evening. Sophia wore her "I love Grandpa" shirt for the occasion. Then we went back to Mimi and Pardie's house for presents and ice cream cake. Sophia really enjoyed her ice cream cake. Happy 60th Birthday Pardie!!

Yummy ice cream cake: It just goes to show that kids of every age love ice cream cake.

Pardie with his new bloodstone ring. I think he missed his calling. He could have been a hand model.

Pardie with one of his presents. This really cute inflatable walker had all kinds of fun sayings on it and was even complete with a squeaking panic button. He looks really nice using it.

Inheritance

As the oldest child, I get some benefit when it comes to future inheritance. There is a treasured heirloom that, as the oldest child, is my birthright. It will then be passed down to Sophia who will treasure it as much as the 2 generations before her. My parents recieved this as a wedding present so it has even more meaning to me. It is at family gatherings, like Easter, that my mom brings this heirloom out and my love for it grows even stronger. What could it be??? I'll show you so that you can join me with admiration for it's wonderful craftmanship.

Circa 1971......

Yeah, it's cool. And yes, that large mushroom in the middle seperates in half and is your salt and pepper shaker.

Dinner and a show

After the easter egg hunt we all had worked up an appetite so we sat down to Easter dinner. Sophia helped by making some mac and cheese in her kitchen while Mimi was cooking. Dinner was delicious. Mimi did a great job. However, Sophia was the entertainment. Mimi had put some apples and tomatoes in a bowl for her. Sophia first used her fork, then her fingers, and then decided both those methods were too slow. She needed that food fast. She picked up the bowl and let the apples and tomatoes fall onto her face and some into her mouth. The more we laughed, the crazier she got. Finally she decided to use the bowl for a hat. Her hair was a mess. It was sticky and had tiny little tomato seeds everywhere. The mess was totally worth it for the show.


Making mac & cheese in her kitchen

Here Daddy, have a taste.

Ps. As a side note, that is mine and my sister's highchair. I think that's pretty cool.

Easter Egg Hunt

We decided to do her first easter egg hunt at Mimi and Pardie's house. The rationale in the morning was that it would have time to warm up outside by the afternoon. Boy were we wrong. But we had fun hunting for eggs even in the cold. I was worried that Sophia wouldn't be interested or wouldn't know what to do since we didn't practice. But she was a champ. After she picked up the first egg and put it in her basket, she was hooked. After she found all the eggs she asked, "More?". Then we headed inside to open them. The Easter Bunny decided to wait a year to put candy in the eggs but she got some Sesame Street figures and some more cars. She loved them both. The cars came with stickers so then we all got to wear some Matchbox stickers.


On the prowl....


All done and quite pleased with herself




Mimi holding onto the dogs


Opening the eggs. Oooohhh!