Veggie Tales Live

A couple months ago, I received a mailer advertising Veggie Tales Live here at Hylton Chapel. Of course, buying tickets to the show was a no-brainer: Leah loves VT, and something like this would be a special (and memorable) experience for both of us. The only catch was that I didn't want her to know about it.

Keeping the secret was easy the first month, but as show time drew closer, it was harder not to mention it in front of Leah. Finally, the day arrived, and we could reveal part of the surprise:

Me: "Leah, we have a special surprise for you today!"
Leah: "What is it?"
Me: "I'm not telling you. It's a surprise! Get in the car so we can go."
L: "Is it ice cream? Is it a pet? Is it the library?" (Those were just a few of several "surprises" that would have made her day.)

When we arrived at the venue, people were lined up outside the door. I could hardly keep the secret any longer, so I scanned the crowd for a clue for Leah. Finally, I spotted a man in a Bob the Tomato shirt.

Me: "Leah, who's that? On that man's shirt?"
Leah, squinting, trying to figure out which man: "Bob?"
Me: "Yup. So guess who we might see inside?"
Leah: "Veggie Tales!"

She was actually pretty subdued (surprisingly), but I guess that was to be expected considering 1) it was her rest time, and 2) large groups tend to overwhelm her. No matter. I reaped the benefits: instead of sitting next to me on the pew (though, it would have been hard for her to see over the person in front of us) or dancing in the aisle, she snuggled in my lap for most of the show. Every so often she'd dance in the aisle, but most of the time she wanted to watch the show from the comfort of Momma's lap. (Like I was going to refuse a chance to cuddle with my little girl!)

At one point, a little girl in the same pew asked Leah to play and dance. I tried getting a photo of Leah and her new "friend", but they were moving too fast for a good photo. I didn't mind, though. Leah was dancing with abandon and singing Veggie Tales songs. Before we knew it, the show was over, and it was time to head home... but not before stopping to view the merchandise.

We had managed to avoid that area before the show and during intermission (thanks to the crowd), but we exited the sanctuary early enough that nobody was at the merchandise table yet. They must have been emitting some child-sensing beacon because Leah walked right over there to view the wares for sale. Considering the special occasion (and the rarity of it), I caved and bought a toy for Leah and Hunter to share. (They LOVE it, too; it's a VT bath toy. Now bath time is even wetter than before!)

All in all, I loved making that memory with my baby girl, all the while filling her love tank and mine. Thanks, Veggie Tales!

Momma and Daughter

Junior Asparagus, Leah's fave VT

"Pizza Angel" one of Leah's fave songs

"The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"

Try as I might, I couldn't get a good photo of Leah dancing in the aisle, so this will have to suffice.

Hmmm, Bob's missing something (a pupil). As soon as the performers were aware of the wardrobe malfunction, Bob turned away from the audience until someone could deftly re-apply his eye.

Ahhh, THAT'S better!

Hunter might have missed the show, but at least he, too, got to enjoy something from it: the VT bath toy Leah picked out for the two of them to share.

April Photos

Now that both kids are getting older, they're playing together more. Though they don't get along perfectly all the time, for the most part, they play together well.

Cheese!

Have I mentioned that Hunter's a mimic? Leah was screaming, so Hunter had to, too.

Two items of note: 1. The hair. Doesn't get better than bed-head. 2. The outfit. Hunter picked it out himself. Funny thing is I saw a grown man at the library wearing the same thing.

Another view of that hair. Love it!

Guess who's been sniffing dandelions? (Look closely under her nose.)

Some of our best friends were in town for a short visit. Despite seeing them about every day they were here, this is the ONLY picture I took. What was I thinking? Leah loved having Laura around to play with, probably because Laura was Leah's permanent shadow.

Since Leah loves pigs, we made a pig mask for school when we completed our farm animal unit.

Do you like our hats? Christine and I had to try on the party hats while waiting on the rest of the crew. It was just the four of us for a girls' weekend away, but it was a much needed break.

We might not have slept much (we were up until 1 AM! What?!), but we had a great time away at Ruth & Jay's house in Luray. Pictured: Me, Adrienne, Christine, Nanette, & Ruth

"No pictures, please." The elusive construction fairy.

April was the month for time with friends. Megan (my BF from college) was in town for a race, so she and her parents came by for dinner. Leah LOVED spending time with Miss Megan.

Leah, Miss Megan, and Hunter

Wacky photos with my wacky NC family: Norma, Megan, and Bob

March Photo Highlights

Ahhh, where a boy's curiosity will lead him.

Notice the fat lip. Hunter had given me a heart attack just days before this when he fell and bit his lip. Blood gushed everywhere, and I wasn't sure if he'd need stitches or not. I managed to stop the bleeding, but when he woke up from his nap, he looked like Hannibal Lecter! Not an encouraging sight for this Momma!

I'll have to remember this photo for when that day comes.  For now, though, I don't want to think about it!

Bucket head!

Daddy's helpers. Washing the dishes (with two helpers) can get a bit messy, but boy, is it fun! (Equally amusing were the comments from Scott: "No, don't drink that, Hunter!" "Wait! I haven't washed that yet.")

Their new "hiding place". Ahh, the things Daddy's do with their kids.