Some things I don't like about "The Big City":
1: Off ramps run into on ramps forcing you to drive like a maniac to get to your exit.
2: One way streets
3: Being able to see the building I want to go to, but never able to get to it!
We went to see Madeline and the Bad Hat at the Tivoli Theatre. Lillie has had a love for Madeline since she was two and I bought the Madeline Story Collection...her favorite story, and mine as well was "The Bad Hat". So she was super excited to see one of her fave stories come to life. My dad went with me and in tow were Hannah and Sophia, two of my sister's daughters. We initially wound up at the venue listed in the directions, only to find out it was at the Tivoli but a nice janitor gave us directions. We could see the Tivoli, but couldn't find a parking lot! Everytime we'd spot one, we'd end up on a one way street that took us in the opposite direction. Finally we got parked and made it into the theatre. If you've never seen the Tivoli on the inside, it is a sight to behold. Made me feel fancy and underdressed to just walk in the door. Reminded me of an opera house and I was afraid to say "ain't" in fear of disgracing the very sophistication of this place! The gallery area was tame, however in comparison to the actual theatre. I said "Boy it sure is ornate in this here place" and Dad smiled and said "Yeah, almost...gaudy" He then noticed that the perspective was wrong on one of the stage props and we joked that it may well ruin the whole show for him (It is hard to have an artistic mind...oh yeah and teaching art in public high school forever, will do kooky things to you). The kids loved it, though and that's all that matters. We then went in search of a place to eat lunch and drove around downtown until I was quite frazzled and lost and decided to just give it up and head on back home in hopes of finding a side of the road picnic area. However, I could see the bridge I needed to be on, but had a hard time getting to it...seems my lot in life. We ended up eating on the porch of a nice log cabin convience store and it was good to stretch our legs and stuff our faces. Had a great day, sprinkled a little on us, but the temp was very comfortable. I didn't get many pics, but here's what I did get...
From the moment the dress went on, Lillie started twirling around, and didn't stop the whole day! She loves to put on big poufy girly dresses and I'm happy to oblige.
Before anyone calls the law on me, here...my children CHOSE to get in this big ole' dog carrier. In fact, I've been trying to keep them out of it, with no sucess.
However, it does seem to occupy them...
This week we've been listening to our tapes on the life of Jesus, in particular the ones concerning the events from the Triumphal entry to the Ressurection in observance of Ressurection week. We've been working on a simple lapbook that I'll post pics of later when we're all finished with it. 
general weirdness...
and unbelievable cuteness....
Today, dad came over and we took a trip to the local park to play and have a picnic. It was great fun! Sunday I wore sandals to church...Monday I woke up to snow on the ground and it's been mucky and cold the last three days...so to say we were stir crazy is the understatement of the century.
Made some doughnuts I can actually eat on this crazy diet!
