Snow in 80 degree weather!

As part of our local mall's introduction of Santa, they hauled in 30 tons of snow to the parking lot for the kids to play with. Connor was all excited about going and playing in the snow. I told him he needed to wear pants, a long-sleeved shirt and boots (he was wearing shorts and t-shirt because it is still so warm). He refused to wear boots and is just wearing flip flops in these pictures. I knew he'd be cold but I think it was important for him to experience it and learn from it, right? He did complain a little bit about cold feet... and hands and snow being thrown at him but overall, I think he had a fun time.

We made a very small snowman that I was about to take a picture of but Connor smashed it too fast. Trying to gather up more snow for a snowball.
"Mommy, my hands are cold!!"




After the snow, we went inside to see where Santa was and to play in the play area. It was a fun morning.

Our dragon loves to read

Connor is taking on the studious pose of a picture he saw in this month's Friend magazine. In the book reviews section, there is a drawing of a dragon reading a book. Connor, upon seeing this picture, immediately went and put his dragon costume on and grabbed a grown-up book from the bookcase. I just had to grab a picture to document his creativity.
Connor's expression is priceless-- "Mom, take the picture already!!"

YWIE

We had YWIE (Young Women in Excellence) this week. Because I'm a YW leader, this has been a big part of what I've been focusing on the last few weeks. We chose a jungle theme and decorated a room for each value where the girls presented their projects as well as our main room for the speakers and refreshments.
One of my advisors made the banner and drew this great alligator. After it was all over, she gave it to me for Connor's room. He likes having it in there.
We went on a jungle safari tour to all the different rooms to hear about the girls' projects. Here are a few of the girls presenting their projects. It was a way fun night.

Ranch Tour

For a playgroup last week, we visited a ranch with unusual animals. We were able to see alpacas, llamas, sheep and goats. The owner raises these animals for their wool which she uses to make crafts.

We were amazed to see the animals out roaming free. The kids were able to walk right up to a llama. An alpaca ate right out of their hands without a fence between them. There were several caged animals too that weren't as friendly.

Connor was too afraid to feed the animals. He said that "they will eat my hand!" I was able to show him that it's fun and that their tongue just tickles your hand. He wouldn't go for it though. Actually, just the girls seemed willing to try it while the boys were more interested in chasing the animals and each other.

After seeing and feeding these animals, the kids were asking about regular farm animals- "where are the cows? pigs? horses?" There weren't any of those but they did have a few chickens, ducks and geese.Here's Scotty covering his ears because the geese were honking so loud. The owner said they make great guard dogs because they honk like crazy whenever anyone comes near them.Here's Connor and his good buddy Hayes. They have since moved to New York. We miss you guys already!!

Halloween

It's fun that Connor is finally at the age when the holidays are fun for him. Halloween has been a real blast this year. The whole month we've made decorations, projects and talked about costumes. He was going to be Batman (a costume my mom loving made for him) but as it got closer, he decided he wanted to be a dragon again (same costume as last year- it still fit perfectly).


Connor has learned from who knows where about gross stuff. He came home from preschool one day talking about what is yummy and yucky to eat. "What about spaghetti and eyeballs? ewwww!" "What about peanut butter and eyeballs? ewww!" He would go on in this manner throughout the evening. He actually is still doing it. So hilarious.



He had many opportunities this year to enjoy an extended Halloween celebration. The Saturday before Halloween, the YMCA did a trunk-or-treat complete with climbing wall, inflatable slides and a neat jousting arena. Connor and his friend Scott doned the suits and tried to knock each other off the platforms. They could barely lift the sticks; it was so cute! (Too bad I didn't have my camera!! I thought it would be dark with nothing to take pictures of).


Our Ward Halloween party was another fun time. The YW did all the carnival activities again this year. It was busy getting it all ready but so worth it for how much the kids enjoyed it.
Connor visiting with some of his buddies that we walk with in the mornings.


Eating a donut from a string.


Holding the eyeball ping pong balls in the pumpkin toss. (Eyeball fascination)

This mummy really creeped him out at the trunk-or-treat we had. It's eyes (another eyeball reference) moved when you came near it. He was frightened of it at first but talked about it for days afterward.
Carving the jack-o-lantern. This is the pumpkin Connor picked from the pumpkin patch on our trip to Apple Annie's.
Displaying the finished product. Good job boys!
Looking into the eyes (no eyeballs here) of his jack-o-lantern.

The last Halloween festivities actually took place on the 31st. We went to a dinner party at Connor's friend Scott's house. Then to another trunk-or-treat and home for a little trick-or-treating. I think Ammon was just as excited (if not more, huh honey?) than Connor to go do all this. Ammon's a real "sweet" guy.

Wool Festival

Connor and I checked out this Wool Festival at a farm near our home. The family owns various types of animals (alpacas, llamas, sheep, goats) for their wool. They dyed the wool all different colors, made them into various crafts and clothes and were giving weaving demos. Connor could care less about the wool; he wanted to see the animals!

Here he is near a llama. This llama was really interested in Connor. Everytime Connor would move, the llama would follow him. We learned it's a little aggressive when a worker came by to warn us that "he's mean." Yeah, we moved on pretty quickly after that.


Already sheered goats in their pin.


Sheep waiting to be sheered. This one Connor is looking had a bit of an attitude. Connor said "ew, he's ugly!" to which the sheep butted the fence. A bit sensitive about his looks I guess. Connor was a little afraid of the animals after that. Check out those antlers! Good thing there was a fence between them is all I can say.
Then Connor saw this sheep being sheered. Doesn't look like it hurts the animals but it sure looks uncomfortable!

Connor checking out the wagon feeding bins. The sheep ran away from the food as he approached.

'Night After Dark' at Tohono Chul

We're always succors for free events, especially when we've been to the place before and know the goods are good (and the regular price is high). That was the case this evening in attending Tohono Chul Park's 'night after dark' event. It was really well done and well attended. Lots of free food, music, hands-on activities and demonstrations.

It was Ammon's first time going to Tohono Chul so Connor had fun showing him around. Above you can see the mosaic of pictures showing what we did- turtle petting, wind chimes playing, seeing night owls, a real bobcat, garden walk, and finishing the evening making a recycled art project. Fun family times.

We love the zoo

We went to the zoo a few weeks ago again with one of our playgroups.

On the baby elephant statue by the elephants (too bad there aren't any in the background).

What did Connor see behind those bars?

A tiger, as you can plainly see.
Cool polar bears. Because of the heat here in Tucson, it is kindof rare to see them out. We were lucky (probably because the temperatures are getting cooler here- finally).

Touching a snake in the hands-on learning center. Connor said "it feels slimy." The docent said they're not really, contrary to popular belief.

Connor wasn't too afraid to feed the giraffe this time. He actually was so quick at feeding her that I missed getting a picture. Here he is as he's taking his hand away. I decided to film him feeding the lettuce this next time (see video).

Connor was able to get really close to a zebra. That zebra came right up to the fence and everyone around was so elated.

Gymnastics World

Geesh, I'm quite a bit behind in my blogging these days. Something about it being the end of the year with all these holidays, parties and YW activities. All good though.

So a few weeks ago now, we went to Gymnastics World for the playgroup I organize. Connor had an absolute ball!

This is a cool styrofoam pit that the kids had fun playing in. I jumped in with Connor too and was amazed to discover that I couldn't reach the bottom. I asked a worker how deep it is and she said about 6'. Then she warned me it might be difficult to get out. In fact, she told me a story about a very pregnant woman who got so stuck that they had to call the fire department to help get her out!! Yeah, that gave me confidence that I could get out! I had to hold onto a pole on the side to pull myself out.

Here's Connor going to get out. He had no trouble. Maybe it's something about being small. (That's what we'll chalk it up to).

The gymnastics teacher helping Connor swing out over the foam pit. He loved dropping in.

Another hit, this huge long trampoline.

Swinging on the rings. Connor seems to be quite athletic. Looks like it's time to get him into some sports. It seems Ammon is already grooming him to be a runner so we'll see what we can agree on! I'm hoping for something interactive like soccer.

Later in the day I took him to the brand new library that opened near our house. Connor enjoyed the built-in discovery games and cool book selection. Pretty fun.