Girl Scout Sleepover at the Columbus Zoo...

 Carsyn's Brownie troop went on an overnight field trip to the Columbus Zoo (same one Logan's troop went on two years ago).  The girls had such a great time, and the weather was fantastic!  I learned my lesson from last time, and brought an air mattress.  The only problem was that we only have a queen size, so of course Carsyn wanted to sleep with me--that girl moves A LOT!  But, I slept pretty well.  It was a fun time!

 Brownies...

Rois, Sam, and Carsyn...

Carsyn and her besties this morning...

Goofing around...

 My sweet third grader...

 

What fun!

 

 

Les Misérables...

Right after Mass this morning we drove to Columbus to see the the national touring production of Les Misérables. The girls were really looking forward to it. A few months ago we were in the car and decided to listen to the musical soundtrack instead of letting them watch a DVD--change things up a bit. They loved it--they acted like they'd never heard it before, but that's completely not true. It was so funny because Carsyn insisted that Cosette sounded just like Pocahontas when she sang. Well, when we got home I googled it and found out that it was the same person--crazy. I also found out that Les Miz was coming to Columbus, so we got tickets! It was fabulous, and the girls had a great time.

Ready for Mass...

Outside the theatre...

Ironically, when we got home the Les Miz 25th anniversary special from London was on PBS. The girls and I actually watched the entire second act; they were mesmerized. Did I mention that Nick Jonas was playing Marius? It was pretty cool.

Go Blackhawks!

So, honey, you've never been to a hockey game before? Really!? That's crazy. We have to go! Last season I really wanted to go when the Blackhawks were playing at Nationwide Arena, but we either had commitments or were on Spring Break. So, this year I was determined to go. It turned out that the first home game of the season for the Columbus Bluejackets was against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. It was also the Jackets' 10th anniversary as a franchise (I guess they have us beat by a year ; ). Barry got us some super-good seats. We were center-ice, seven rows back. Surprisingly Columbus actually has a lot of loyal fans, and they didn't like it too much when we stood up to cheer for Chicago goals. It was a great game--hockey is always better in person! We were really hoping to see Patrick Sharp score a hat trick. He had two goals, but no more. It was also sad not seeing Big Buff out there in a Hawks jersey, but we still had a great time! Next time I want to take the girls. Go Blackhawks!

Puck drop...

Barry's first game...

Two goals for Sharp...

Can you believe a Bluejacket fan offered to take our picture?

Blackhawks win...

Overnight at the Columbus Zoo...

Yesterday evening Logan and I packed up our overnight bags, sleeping bags (well I used Maren's because I don't have one of my own), and pillows for her Brownie troop's sleepover at the Columbus Zoo. The girls had such a great time walking around the zoo at night, seeing and touching animals in the classroom, and most of all having a huge slumber party. There were 20 girls and 10 moms. We all had these little half-inch-think mattresses that slid out from underneath you while you "slept". I say "slept" because I'm not sure that I actually got any sleep. But, the girls sure had a ton of fun.

The Girls Scouts...

I hope that little guy isn't sleeping in here...

Logan and Meghan getting ready for bed...

The elephants were so active in the morning before the zoo opened to the public...

We finally got to see the polar bears...

Turtle Talk at the Zoo...

Carsyn brought home the kindergarten class pet yesterday--a turtle. Thankfully not a real one. Of course she wanted to show it a good time (and the weather was nice-ish, and daddy was home from Washington,) so we went to Columbus for a fun day at the zoo. The girls had a great time as usual. They were a little disappointed that several of the animals weren't out because it was still pretty chilly. But they got to see most of their favorites. Carsyn couldn't wait to show her turtle, the other turtles! On the way home the girls insisted that we stop for dinner at Cracker Barrel. They'd only been to one, one other time. I'm not sure if it's the pancakes for dinner or the gift shop that is most attractive to them. Anyway, it was fun day--for the girls and the turtle.

Arriving at the zoo...

Carsyn was totally up for posing today...

They're in there somewhere...

There's another turtle...

Ready for some fine dining...er, I mean Cracker Barrel...

Lunch at California Pizza Kitchen...

After mass this morning we drove over to Columbus because I had to return something at J. Crew. It stinks that there isn't one closer to us, that's why I have to shop online so often ; ). Anyway, it ended up being a great excuse to treat ourselves to a yummy lunch at our favorite restaurant!

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

A Day at the Ballet...

Today we took the girls to see The Nutcracker. It was the Balletmet's production at the Ohio Theater in downtown Columbus. Maren had never seen a full performance of The Nutcracker, neither had Daddy. Maren loved it (secretly so did Daddy ; ). Afterward we had an early dinner at Buca di Beppo--yum!

Who's ready for the ballet?

Outside the Ohio Theater...

Maren and Daddy across from the State Capitol...

The Columbus Zoo...

It was such a gorgeous day today, so we decided to do something fun...outdoors. We drove over to Columbus and took the girls to the zoo there. It's a really nice zoo. It was not very crowded, and the weather was perfect. The only down side to the Columbus Zoo was being surrounded by Ohio State fans ; (. But, that's the norm on any Saturday during football season around here. Afterward we went out to eat at California Pizza Kitchen--it had been way too long. It was a great day...until we got home to watch the dvr'd Notre Dame game, only to see them lose to Navy : (!

Going to the zoo...

Maren and Daddy checking out the seven-month-old baby elephant...

Logan looking at the tigers...

Carsyn and the gila monster...

The girls...