The Giving Tree

This evening the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum had a special event for youth and families. "In honor of Earth Day, families hear Shel Silverstein's story The Giving Tree and then plant a tree seed in a decorative container created using recycled materials"  Pre-registration was required and the event was FREE.  Gotta love that!  Kevin and Ryan gave Rose The Giving Tree book this past Christmas, so of course we had to go..

We decorated recycled plastic containers with materials that have been donated to the museum, examples include fabric, beads, tissue paper, Popsicle sticks, yarn, etc. Once our container was decorated, we planted a Sugar Maple Tree, Wisconsin's Official State Tree.  To learn more about Wisconsin's Official State Symbols, check out the Symbols of Wisconsin.

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

Rose named her tree, "TREE".  When we got home from our Earth Day event, Rose wanted to eat her corn dog sitting next to her tree.  So, we had dinner outside next to Tree.  Hopefully Tree will live until we close on our house next week so we can plant it at our new house.

Prairie Chicken Festival

I had grabbed a Steven's Point Visitor Guide book one day coming out of a store and was looking through it to see what activities there are to do in Steven's Point during the year.  Steven's Point is only 30 miles south of Wausau, so I figured it's close enough to go to activities in Steven's Point this year too.  As we are new to the Central Wisconsin Area, I am always looking for fun and new activities.  When I came across the Prairie Chicken Festival held April 17-19, 2009, I was intrigued.  Never heard of a Prairie Chicken, let alone a whole festival based on it.  Well, of course we had to go!  Much to our surprise, it was not a festival of eating prairie chickens, or purchasing prairie chickens to bring home as pets to raise.  It was, however, a "Celebrations of the Grasslands", bringing awareness of grassland conservation on behalf of the Prairie Chicken and other grassland inhabitants. 

We pulled into the festival grounds, which consisted of an old farm house, a tent where they were giving bird banding demonstrations, a tent of children's activities (Rose had fun making buttons and binoculars), a few picnic tables, and a food vendor of BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches.  Needless to say it was a low key afternoon, but it was fun and interesting.  We did run into an acquaintance from church, so that was nice to sit and chat with him for while.  Not only did they have these activities at the festival grounds, there was a silent auction, book sale, and author reading and presentations at a near by elementary school.  Of course we had to stop by there too, because we were all about experiencing the entire festival.  Well, we did miss a few things - the 4:00 am Prairie Chicken Viewing in the blinds and breakfast to follow.  Also, we missed the Prairie Chicken Calling Contest, wish we could have been there for that.

All in all, it was a good relaxing day and we may have to go to the Prairie Chicken Festival again next year.

Rose with her binoculars

Rose playing I Spy on Daddy

Renee, Rosie, and Andy at the Prairie Chicken Festival

Boomer Bob, the Prairie Chicken 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Easter Sunday was a fun filled day remembering the death and resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ, going to church, hanging out with friends, and coloring easter eggs.

Rose woke up early Sunday morning, came into our room so we could find what the Easter Bunny brought her.  We went to the couch to find Rosie's easter basket and gifts.  Then off to church for the 8:00 service.  Rose stayed with us for the worship part of service and really enjoyed dancing to the worship music.  She was also showing the little girl next to us her Elmo easter bunny eggs. After church we headed to some friends house for easter brunch and they had an easter egg hunt outside for the kids.  Rose was more excited about playing on the swing set than the easter egg hunt, but she did find some eggs.  After nap time, Rose and Andy colored easter eggs.   

Here's what the Easter Bunny brought

Rosie showing off her WALL-E toothpaste

Look!  It's Max & Ruby 

(its her new favorite TV show, the Easter Bunny brought her a DVD)

Okay, I'm ready to start baking

Here is Rosie in her easter dress, she looks so thrilled to have her picture taken

Easter Egg hunt

Rosie and her friend Trent playing in the sand box

Using the magic crayon to write on the easter egg

Look at all the easter eggs we colored, can we color more?

Downtown Wausua

Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day so we decided to explore downtown Wausau.  Okay, so we didn't get to do all of downtown, we walked down 3rd street, had lunch at The Mint Cafe, bought me (Renee ) some new shoes (I am spoiled) and stopped and had ice cream.  Yes, it was warm enough outside that ice cream sounded good.

Rose and Mommy on 3rd Street

Rosie and Daddy on 3rd Street 

Rosie and her ladybug chocolate

Not just any chocolate, Moonstruck Chocolate

Night Time Prayer

I have to share this because it is far too cute.  

Last night while we were saying our night time prayers, here is what Rose prayed.

"Dear God, 

Now I lay me down to sleep, 

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

Watch me in the moonlight hours and wake me with the morning sun.

God bless Mommy, Daddy, Rosie, Kevin, Ryan, my friend Choele, my friend Hannah, my friend Kayla and Laura, my friend Grandma Ellie, my friend Papa Ron, my friend Uncle Dave, my friend Aunt Sharon, my friend Auntie Lisa, my friend Papa Paul, my friend Grandma Donna, my friend Diane, in Jesus Name, Amen.  Dear God, Uncle Andy to, he's the fun one, Amen."

Uncle Alan would be proud, since he is the one who taught her to say that Uncle Alan is the fun one.  Oh my goofy brother, we think both her uncles are fun. 

Tuesday night gymnastics class

Tuesday night Rose has Gymnecricket class at the YMCA.  When we started the class, Rose was really reserved and not quiet sure of class, but as we go each week, she has been coming out of her shell.  Rose is more adventurous in trying things and loves practicing her forward rolls and walking on the balance "bean" (as Rose calls it).  Here are some pictures of a class from a few weeks ago.

Beginning the forward roll

Finished for forward roll

Walking on the S curve

Coming to the end of the S curve

Entering the tunnel

Rose practicing her V-sit

Working on her Pike hang

Walking backwards on the "balance bean" on the ground

Good Job Rose, here is your stamp

Gym-Sport; Thursday morning fun!

Our Thursday morning activity is going to Gym-sport, a local gymnastics center here in town.  On Thursdays the center opens up from 10:00-11:00 am for kids 5 yrs and under to run around on all the gymnastics equipment and get some energy out.  We look forward to it every Thursday.  

Rosie playing hula hoop with Christopher, a little boy from Toddler Time and Gym-sport

Jumping on the little trampoline

Hanging on the bar

Running on the "big cheese"

Running on the trampoline

Toddler Time

The local YMCA has Toddler Time on Wednesdays.  It's one of the activities Rose and I do on Wednesdays.  Wanted to share some pictures with you.

Balancing a bean bag on our heads and walking around a circle

Now walking around the circle with the bean bag under our chins

Bean bag toss into the cirlce

Playing catch with the big red ball