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This winter has been BRUTAL. So hard for us to get the kids outside to enjoy the fresh air between the frigid temps and other wacky weather. So while we were out and about looking for eagles today we decided to take advantage of a playground for some snowy fun. It was cold but we bundled up and were able to spend about 30 minutes playing.
There were LOTS of smiles today.
She just keeps getting so big....
Today it was ALL about the slide!
This picture says so much....she ADORES her big brother and looks up to him so much.
Got them to sit still long enough to snap one together with them BOTH looking at the camera.
More smiles, okay!
Did I mention they were obsessed with the slides today?
And then a little riding of the double slide so they could go together.....
And this pretty much sums up our day. So full of joy to simply be outside....to simply be together......to simply play.
Today we stumbled on an event held at Jester Park Lodge and various locations around Saylorville Lake....all to celebrate the Bald Eagle! We started at the Lodge where they were showcasing several different kinds of birds inside. We were so close to the birds....you just don't get that opportunity very often.
Chilling out before the presentation - I love these boys!
Someone got jealous and needed a picture of her own.
First up was a beautiful Bald Eagle. She is mostly blind and had been poisoned by lead from eating an animal that had been shot by a hunter. Unfortunately this Bald Eagle will never be able to be free again but she is well taken care of by the rescue group. She was feisty and it was amazing to see her so up close!
Then it was on to the snowy owl. Also a beautiful bird. Check out how her feathers glistened.
And finally the teeny tiny saw-whet owl. SOOO cute!
At one point the Bald Eagle started talking.....so cool.
After a great presentation, we headed to one of the outside stops at Saylorville Lake. They had an exhibit showing what an eagle's nest would look like.
No eagles at this location (although they said they saw a pair earlier in the day) but the scenery was beautiful.
We moved down to Cottonwood and were initially disappointed but enjoyed the scenery here as well.
And finally as we were leaving, I spotted a pair of eagles.....they were super far away and very high in the sky. Pictures were tough, but here is photographic proof that our various stops were worth it!
Super fun day and the kids had a great time seeing the birds and learning a little something as well. Oh, and the best part....it was FREE!
Paul's school had a Family Fun Night with a Carnival theme. We had no idea what to expect.....and we were not disappointed! First up was pizza for dinner.
Then it was on to the fun! They had 3 inflatables setup in the gym. Each classroom had different carnival games where kids could win chips. There were two rooms for the kids to "buy" prizes with their chips.
Paul wanted to get his face painted first....he picked a "bulldog". Lillie wanted absolutely nothing to do with the face painting.
Hey! Looks who we ran into.....his teacher Mrs. Balvanz.
Duck Up the River game....
Sucker pull.....double bonus is that both kids won chips AND got to keep their suckers!
Enjoying the fruits of their sucker pulling labor!
Chuck the Cluck....tossing rubber chickens into a laundry basket...brilliant.
Ran into lots of friends.....here's one of Paul's classmates.
It really was a very well done event. Lots of volunteers made it happen....including the local boy scout troop. I am glad we went. The kids got some fun prizes AND got to stay out well past their bed time.....double bonus.
The kids were jazzed to get a super huge bag of Valentine's goodies from Mimi.....
Digging right in....with a little help from Rascal.
Yummy treats from Trader Joe's!
Our little basketball star was super pumped to get a Miami Heat tee!
Lots of fun popping the shipping bubbles....she got AIR!
Such a sweet face....
Her very first Barbie.....Mulan!
He keeps looking older and older to me.
Thanks Mimi for ALL of our fun stuff!
