Tess' big prize

Tess came home from preschool last week with this guy:

Who is this, you ask? 

A famous composer?  No.

A Dick Purtan bobble head?  No.

Actually, it's supposed to be Albert Einstein.  (Technically, he is/was a has-been Happy Meal toy that was still in the package when he arrived.)

However, it's not who he is, but what he is, that's important.  Tess came home explaining that she got him at school.  End of story.  Good luck trying to get more details when she's not into dishin' them out.  It wasn't until the next day that I learned from Tess' teacher that Tess "won" him after getting five stickers, five days in a row, for sitting quietly on the circle rug at reading time.

Cool!

So later when I picked Tess up, I asked her some more about it and told her I was SO proud of her. 

Me:  "Tess!  I heard that the toy you brought home yesterday was really a prize for being a good listener!  I'm so proud of you."

Tess:  "Yeah.  I got five stickers and then got to pick him out of the treasure box."

Me:  "Wow!  So you were sitting on the circle rug being quiet, is that how you got your stickers?"

Tess:  "Yeah.  But Mom, the teachers all call it a circle rug... but it's really an oval."

Touche, Miss. Smarty Pants.

Getting ready for the bunny...

We're getting ready for Easter over here!  Yesterday, we colored eggs (well, at least everyone age 4 and up) and Tess loved it.  Here is a look at our finished products:

Tess' attempt at writing her name with the invisible crayon

Grandma Muriel, Papa Art and Uncle Mark are in town.  To celebrate the sunshine today, we went to Bunnyville at the Zoo!

Yes, we broke into the snacks about 30 seconds after we got into the front gate

Little Miss. Diva and her Posse 

Later, Grandma and Tess made a special batch of Easter cupcakes.

The final masterpieces! 

And the official taste tester.  I'm pretty sure she liked 'em.   

Happy Birthday to Debie!

Tess' Birthday - Part II

Almost two weeks ago, Tess had a great time at her birthday party with her Grandpas, Grandmas, Uncles, her soon-to-be Aunt and her BFF Kadie!  (Oh yeah, Nora, Dad and Mom too.)  It was a Wizard of Oz themed party (per Dorothy's Tess' request) as well as an unintentional Final Four party.  The highlights were the cake (of course), opening presents, Papa Larry car rides and party punch for the adults.  By the end of the night, it's entirely possible that the adults forgot that a birthday party had even occurred earlier in the evening (thank you, party punch).  Regardless, a good time was had by all.

Over the Rainbow banner hand painted by Tess and Mom

Tess, Kadie and Judy 

Special BFF table 

Nora's special shirt for the occasion 

Nora's second special shirt (courtesy of Papa Larry) 

Kadie's card for Tess 

Tess thanking Great Grandma

Tess' not-so-favorite present from Mom & Dad.  "What??? Underpants???" 

Mini-BFFs 

Nora, Uncle Brendan, Tess & Aunt Debie 

Mini-BFF love 

Nora reading a book with both of her Grandmas.  Such a lucky girl. 

More mini love 

Someone must have fed Norman a lot of pizza... or party punch. 

Papa Larry's car rides.  And no, I don't think he needed his hips re-replaced after this, surprisingly. 

Chasing Papa 

Um, this can't be good. 

Finally! Sunshine!

Today we took advantage of the beautiful day and made an impromptu trip to the zoo for a walk and lunch.  As usual, Tess loved the animals and Nora loved lunch!

Mr. Vulture 

I spy something in the tree 

Um, not really sure why Nora completely lost her mind when

we sat her on this rock, but she did.  BIG time.

Time for a nap and time to head home.