Today was one of those days where you say to yourself: "THIS is why I had kids. This totally rocks. I'm awesome." I try to cram sweet activities in all weekend, and usually they are fun and we have a good time together. I think Tim has been getting a little sick of doing kids' stuff, because when I offered to go solo today he did not even hesitate. So, I packed up our trusty Maclaren stroller (that I cannot believe is still functioning after this summer!), my backpack, the mei tai and headed for the bus stop. Though our initial ride was a little rough, Tallulah cried during most of it, not sure why exactly but the bus was super crowded and I didn't want to take her out of the stroller, after that our entire day was smooth sailing. We rushed from the bus stop down to the Overture Center for "
Kids at the Rotunda," a weekly artsy kids' show that we went to a handful of times last year. When I saw the performance this week at Dancin' Drum, I knew we had to go since Atticus is obsessed with both of these things. It did not disappoint. Atticus was in heaven. He screamed his responses to the questions and patted his lap and clapped and danced. Tallulah was a little less enthusiastic (his enthusiasm was hard to beat) but she clapped and danced along too. Guy was a little upset after he didn't get picked to go up and play with the first round of kids on the drums, but played a wooden block with pizzazz and was picked for the second round to play the juju drum. He had the widest smile across his face the whole time. Tallulah wanted to go up with him, so we took a stint playing shakers (not maracas?) but I didn't get any pictures of that because I was too busy making sure she didn't hit a kid on the head (ironically, she got whacked and started crying so we left the stage).
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| She reallllllly wanted this juice box. |
After the Rotunda, we walked over the new Central Library's kids' section, where they were doing themed crafts to go along with the Rotunda performances. We made tambourines with paper plates and macaroni and a straw whistle thing, read lots of books, went to the potty three times, and checked out four books (a miracle! Atticus has about 60 and we narrowed it to 4 with little hassle). The newly-renovated library was light, airy, and had some sweet toys and these amazing this straw hutches for reading inside. I didn't get very many pictures there because we were doing a lot of running about, and I figured we'd be back many, many times.
When everyone started getting hungry we walked a block down to the Farmer's Market which was wrapping up for the day and spent $7 on a baguette, an eggplant, a giant sugar cookie and a few apples. We grabbed falafel for lunch which the kids initially chowed down on but then Atticus noticed the inside was green and remembered how he doesn't eat green stuff except broccoli (looking back I should've just said it was broccoli!) He had a blast running up and down the Capitol's lawn chasing birds and screaming at the top of his lungs.
We finished eating and meandered our way through the market over the children's museum a few blocks away. The kids spent their time in Africa Land, playing outside with the chickens, and holding cockroaches and meal worms. The rooftop is amazing, lots of gardens and a small stream even. The weather was glorious, perfect fall weather. Not a cloud in the sky, crisp and sunny.
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| I have decided all children's clothes should have Peter Pan collars. The end. |
We left the children's museum with no fight and went to board the bus to FUS, the bus ride back was much better. I thought Tallulah would fall asleep but she just wanted to read books and charm the undergrad girls sitting next to us. We arrived 45 minutes early to the service (I wasn't sure when the bus was coming, and we happened to catch one right after we got to the stop) but the time went by fast on the gorgeous backyard playground attached to the church. After a relaxing service (the kids both love their classes and Tim and I get to sit together and hold hands) we stayed for the second Saturday potluck and devoured delicious organic/vegan/local casseroles and quiches and salads (thank you, upper-middle-class liberals who attend church with us!) We contributed homemade cookies because we always make a meal and there are never enough desserts (it's true, there were only three things today) but plenty of main courses. The day is coming to a close perfectly, Tallulah passed out on the way home, Atticus is drifting off to the new library books we brought home, and Tim and I have a date with Amelie when he is in bed.
Happy Saturday, everyone!
