Enjoying the Simple Life

After a wild and crazy weekend in Las Vegas and knowing that the following week would be a full and crazy sort of week the Nutt House enjoyed more of a low key, easy going week this past week, which we found to be enjoyable. 

Just chillin'

We saw our week full of our normal activities with preschool offering the first adventure of our week in the form of a field trip to the Arizona Science Center.  This is always a place that the Nutt House enjoys and with so many friends in tow this was no exception.  As the weather has been warming up the water exploration area was a must as we started our time at the Science Center.  The kiddos found themselves darting from one water station to the next capturing balls at every available moment so they could toss them into a water whirlwind, shoot them with water, or just watch how they moved in the water.  Our musically inclined Kaden found the water driven musical instrument station to be a favorite this trip as well.  While in the body area we were fortunate to be there in time to see a demonstration on the brain.  This served as a great learning opportunity and since this was a school field trip the demonstration was even more beneficial.  The kiddos especially enjoyed the chances they had to participate as they learned about how chemical reactions affect the brain.  Though we weren’t able to visit the entire museum due to time constraints a good time was had by all and we cannot wait until we are able to go back once again.

How I adore this group of preschoolers

In addition to school we found ourselves back in the throes of our standard classes with Kaden participating in his My Gym classes and swimming lessons.  Speaking of swimming lessons, Kaden has had a different teacher for a few weeks, Ms. Amy (his normal teacher was in an accident and is out for a while) and it has been impressive to see how he has reacted to this new teacher.  His skill sets are really starting to click and he is getting close to graduating to the next swim level.  Watching the progress, he is making has been quite a joyous occasion. 

Circle time at My Gym

Kaden with Ms. Amy

Kara has been busy at dance, preparing for a competition that is coming up next week.  Her solo has changed quite a bit with her boat prop being taken out and with the change in dance we wanted to make sure every other element that could impact her score is as spot on as possible so we’ve adjusted the hair style she’ll wear to three messy buns in a fo-hawk type style.  Kara’s hair isn’t the only thing we are changing up, we’ve decided to work with her make-up, which meant that at the ripe old age of 5 Kara went in for her first make-up consultation this week.  Ugh!  I found myself repeatedly questioning this decision as we drove to the make-up store and while the application was taking place.  However, seeing the joy she was experiencing, like she was a real princess being pampered as she rightfully deserved and witnessing the end result which led to less make-up but the addition of fake eyelashes I had to admit, I was grateful for the lesson.  I picked up some good tips for applying her make-up, took great joy in the fact she doesn’t need as much make-up on, and got to have a front row seat to Kara acting like a true princess. 

I firmly believe Kara wants to forever follow in the footsteps of Ms. Carolyn

Only slightly excited for her make up application

Finished little diva

Later in the week Kara wanted to return the pampering favor, so I was treated to a special manicure where Kara filed and attentively applied nail polish to my fingernails and in some cases to my fingers as well.  Overall, she did quite the job and thanks to the right color being selected I am happy to report that I still have some of the polish on my nails still to this date!

Somehow we snuck into our week a trip to the library, an activity we have always enjoyed but for who knows what reason we have not made the time for in the past several months.  As this was a spur of the moment stop and we didn't have a bag with us to carry out a large amount of library books I adamantly told the kiddos they could each get 3 items and had plans to stick to that 3 item limit myself.  Ha!!!!  The luring sirens of the library called to us and with no lesson than 20 items carefully stacked high in my arms we headed out of the library with a great deal of jubilation for all the new to us stories we'd be able to enjoy over the next week or so.

The big event of the week for the Nutt House came Thursday evening when we attended Disney On Ice, Treasure Trove.  The Nutt House always has fun at Disney on Ice and this time was no exception, in fact, it may have been one of our best experiences yet.  Kara made sure she was appropriately dressed for the evening, going as Snow White and found herself elated when after intermission the first Disney princess story to be told was that of Snow White.  Kaden was not left out of the night as most of the first half of Treasure Trove told the stories of characters he enjoys such as Toy Story, Peter Pan (which Kara enthusiastically cheered for Tinkerbell during), and Lion King.  Here at the Nutt House we count our blessings that one of the benefits that Brent’s job has to offer is box seats to many of the events at the Talking Stick Arena, such as most of the Disney on Ice experiences we’ve been able to attend, basketball games, the circus and more!

Waiting for the show to start
*please ignore the red eye* :/

Toy Story

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell!

Lion King

Aladdin and Jasmine!

Finale!!

We found our week wrapping up Saturday on a good note as instead of our standard Saturday morning breakfast entrée choices such as pancakes or waffles we took advantage of the fact we had more time available and the entire Nutt House worked together to create a masterpiece of strawberry crepes with sausage for breakfast.  While we try to engage in many bigger memory creating moments as a family, the smaller moments such as this - working together as a family to create a meal together, hang out watching a movie, or our rapidly becoming a family tradition – family game time are the ones I hold dearest to my heart.  I could never say enough how much I love and feel so blessed to be a part of the Nutt House.  It truly is the greatest of all great things!

Making of the crepes

They were delish!