Giveaway – Win Four Tickets to PBS’s Wild Kratt’s Live

Lila is six years old now and we’re officially living in the land of a million questions. Our curious girl wants to know all about the world around her! Some recent questions include:
“What would happen if there was no ozone?”
“If the world spins on it’s axis, why don’t things look flipped at the end of the day?”
“Why do butterflies fly in circles around each other? Does that mean they like each other”
Most of her questions are related to science and animals, so when PBS’s Wild Kratts Live reached out to let me know they were going to be in Toledo, I was excited to take her!
Wild Kratts Live Toledo
Wild Kratts follows the animated versions of the Kratt brothers and their friends on hilarious expeditions with wild animals from around the world, complete with animal-inspired gadgets and awesome Creature Power Suits that enable the adventurers to get close to the creatures.
Wild Kratts Live Giveaway Toledo
Every episode explores an age-appropriate science concept central to an animal’s life and showcases a spectacular wildlife moment, presented with engaging stories of mystery and rescue as well as the Kratt brothers’ signature brand of laugh-out-loud comedy.
Here are the details about the Toledo show:
Show: Wild Kratts Live 2.0 – Activate Creature Power!
Date: Friday, May 10, 2019 at 6:30PM
Venue: Stranahan Theater
I’m giving away four free tickets to the Wild Kratts Live show! To enter, just comment on this blog post with what animals your child loves. I’ll choose one winner on May 6. Good luck!
Disclaimer: I was given four free tickets to the show as part of a partnership with Wild Kratts Live.

Dear Lila: You’re Six Year’s Old!

Dear Lila,

A few weeks ago you officially turned six. I can’t believe how much you’re growing up right before my eyes. You are abeautiful little girl inside and out.

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For your birthday we give you the option to do a party or an experience and for two years now you’ve chosen an experience (which I secretly love).

We spent the weekend of your birthday, just you, me and daddy, in Chicago. We took you to all our favorite places from when we lived there like Pizanos Pizza, the Shedd Aquarium and the Water Tower Place. We spent a special lunch at the American Girl Doll store and swam at the hotel. You were in heaven!

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Daddy and I talked after the trip and both said how much we enjoyed spending time with you. You’ve hit an age where we can take you anywhere without any worries. We love seeing the world through your eyes and talking with you about all sorts of things like whether Santa is real or not (you’re on the fence), how you like your new house (you like your bedroom, but miss your neighbors) and who your best friends are at school (your cousins are still tops).

I also told daddy that I think I am going to really enjoy parenting slightly older kids (not that the young years aren’t sweet of course). I just love how inquisitive you are and how we can experience life together. I think six is going to be an amazing year for you.

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You are thriving in Kindergarten. Your teacher said you are a “joy to have in class” and that you are friends with pretty much everyone. You come home every day from school happy and seem to really enjoy learning. You are especially interested in learning to read so you can stay up in bed reading at night.

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This year you’ve also gotten more into sports and other extra curricular activities. In addition to golf, swim team and acting, you tried cross country and did so well! You placed as high as 15th out of 170 kids and I got a glimpse of our future as bleacher parents. :) You also have gotten into baton twirling and walked in your first parade this past weekend. I have a feeling you will excel in whatever activity you choose to do.

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You’ve become such a sweet big sister to your little brothers. They idolize you! When you’re at school they ask where you are and when you’re home they beg you to “chase me Yaya!” I’ve been so impressed with how sweet and patient you are with them. And often I catch you helping them navigate conflict over toys and sharing. They are lucky to have you as a big sister.

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At home your favorite things to play usually involve legos or art supplies. You also can never get enough of daddy chasing and tickling you. In the evenings before bed you will organize your brother’s to do a “parade” around the kitchen. We put on marching band music and you all throw pillows up in the air as if they were batons.


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We all love your playful, creative spirit, Lila. You make our family so fun and lively. Watching you grow up is one of the great joys of my life. I know how special you are and can’t wait to see all that you become. I hope you always stay as happy and silly as you are now at six.

Love always,

Mommy

 

 

Dear Boys: You’re Two!

Whitaker & Davis:

Yesterday was your second birthday! I really can’t believe how quickly time is passing by. It feels like just yesterday you were teeny tiny preemies keeping me up all night and now you’re strong, robust two year olds.

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I’ve had several people ask me if I’m happy the “hardest” years of having twins are over. I have to laugh and tell them that actually having twin two year olds so far has been the most difficult! You two are so curious, rambunctious and strong that you keep Daddy and I on our toes.

It seems like just as we’re settling into a good routine, you two find a way to cause some new form of ruckus. For example, this weekend Whitaker figured out how to escape the back yard by climbing under a gap in the fence and Davis sleuthed how to unzip the sleep sack, remove his pants and diaper and leave us a “surprise” in the crib.

I used to roll my eyes when people said boys are more physical than girls, but I’ve learned that’s definitely true when it comes to you two! Today we lowered both your cribs all the way to the floor in hopes it would keep you from climbing out. Nope, you both figured out how to lift your bodies up and over in one minute flat. So now, at just two years old, you’re in toddler beds (pray for us!!!).

When you’re not giving us grey hair, you two spoil us with snuggles, smiles and the sweet sounds of “MaMA! (said in an Italian accent) and DADA.” Before I had you, my friends who had boys told me to get ready for more mommy love. That is definitely true in our house! While you adore your daddy, you save your biggest smiles and hugs for mommy. you both love to sit on my lap or have me tote you around. I am usually happy to oblige.

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Here is a little bit about each of you individually:

Davis:

– You are obsessed with all things “choo choo!” Daddy and I built you a train table for your birthday and you will sit and push the little trains around endlessly. Also any time a train goes by our house you stop whatever you’re doing, get everyone’s attention, point outside and say ‘choo choo choo!!!!’

– I see a sweet, gentle soul inside you. You don’t usually react when another child takes your toy, or your brother bowls you over. You just look curiously and move on to the next thing.

– You tend to be more quiet than Lila or Whitaker. I think maybe you have a bit of that Batman-men introspection. I know you can talk, because I’ve heard you say a lot, but in general you prefer to stay quiet.

– The 0ther thing you are absolutely obsessed with is golf. The only time you get truly angry is when we tell you it’s time to put the golf stuff away. Daddy is really hoping you turn out to be his golfing buddy in life.

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Whitaker:

– You are one strong dude! I don’t know how you got to be so strong, but it’s not unusual to see you do a complete sit up when laying flat, pull your entire body up with just your arms or lift a basket filled with heavy blocks. I can see you being our future athlete.

– There’s no doubt that you are a momma’s boy right now. When I come to you in the morning your whole face lights up and you run over for me to immediately pick you up. It is THE BEST way to start my day!

– My other favorite time with you is at bedtime. I rock you and your brother and you will lay your head on my shoulder, suck your thumb and bunch up my shirt into your hand. I usually leave with a giant pool of Whit drool on my chest, but I love this special time with you.

– Lately you’ve been talking more and more. The main thing you like to say is “YEAH!” and “NuhUH” when I ask you a question. It is really helpful to finally know what you want, and I can tell you feel less frustrated too. Here are some of the other things you say lately:

  • “I wan wok” (I want to go on a walk
  • “I want cheechos” (cheerios)
  • “Watch choo choo” (I want to watch Thomas the train)
  • “Da too!” (Davis too)
  • “Is Lala” (It’s Lila)

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Being a mother of twins is such a special experience. Watching you both grow and develop in your own unique ways makes the process somehow super fulfilling. It’s also amazing to see your close bond in action. You seriously are never apart, and if you ARE, it usually results in both of you asking for the other. I can’t imaging how cool it would be to have a built in best friend for life. I hope you always stay close.

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When I think back on our path to becoming twin parents, I feel in my heart that you two were always meant for us. For whatever reason you were supposed to experience life together and in our family. When I look at you it feels like I finally have an answer as to why our journey to have you was what it was. If that makes sense. :) You were destined for us.

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I am looking forward to having two two year olds – despite the energy I know it will require. I can’t wait to get to know your little voices, personalities and spirits better. It’s going to be so fun to see who you both become.

Love you both forever!!

Ma-MA

Dear Lila, You’re Five!

Dear Lila Kate,

You turned five years old on November 18! I wanted to write you a post on your actual birthday, but of course things got a bit hectic. You and your brothers sure do keep me on my toes!

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This year for your birthday we celebrated at Disney World by taking you and your cousin Reagan to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. You girls were in heaven getting your hair done, nails painted, glitter put everywhere etc. I love that you are still into princesses, dresses, jewelry and other girlie things. I have heard little girls can outgrown that shortly after five, so I wanted to soak it up with you while I can.

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Four was such a transformative year for you. You began to really think about the world, your place in it and how you want to experience life. Your big emotions from age three calmed down and you began to do things that show me you’ve matured a lot. Things like saying sorry unprompted and really meaning it, sacrificing what you want for your brothers, offering to carry my purse to the car when my hands are full, bringing your dishes over to the sink without being asked and having fun playing games even if you lose.

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Nothing has made me more proud of you than when your teacher told us at parent conferences recently that “Lila is one of the nicest kids in class.” More so than knowing your letters, numbers etc, I care most about you learning how to be a good friend, to be kind to others and to love yourself. You make me so proud in this sense every day!

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You love your family so fiercely that sometimes daddy and I joke that no five year old has been more obsessed with their parents than you are. You would honestly rather be with us over any one else in the world. When I leave even to run to the store, you follow me out the door asking for at least five rounds of hugs and kisses.

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You often say “I’m never going to college! I’m going to live with mommy and daddy forever!” Secretly, I would be happy if that actually happened. I want you to experience all the world has to offer, but I hope you are forever close to us (even if it’s just in heart). You are my best little buddy and I love having you always by my side.

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Since the arrival of your brothers, your life has changed a lot. It would be very normal for you to feel resentful of them, but you have never once acted harshly towards them. At most you will tell me you feel jealous if I’m spending time with one of them or try to also sit on my lap if I’m holding one. I try to give you lots of one on one time to let you know that you’re very very special to my heart. You are such a fun big sister – always chasing the brothers until they fall in a heap giggling. They adore you so much.

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We’ve tried to keep your life unscheduled so far. You mainly go to school in the mornings and then are home with us the rest of the time. We do little outings to the library, coffee shop or park. I figure you have a lot of time to explore hobbies & sports and I like our calm, quiet life! You already show a lot of aptitude and interest in a few things like singing, art, music, golf, running, swimming and acting. I’m looking forward to when you really start finding your passions.

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I am told often that you are a carbon copy of me. Right now you love “looking like mommy.”  I hope as you get older that continues! You are very tall (just like I was) and are off the charts for height. You’ve already lost two teeth and have your “7 year molars” coming in. Being so tall so young wasn’t always easy for me, but so far you think its so cool that you’re “the tallest in class!” I am going to do my best to help you to always love yourself and to think being tall is a great thing (because now that I’m an adult, I see that it so is!).

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Leading up to your birthday I told you that I thought you should just stay four, since mommy didn’t want you to get older. You said “No mommy I have to turn five! But I’ll always be your baby, remember?!” The truth is I love watching you grow up. I know what a special honor it is to be with you every day as you experience life.

I still can’t believe you are five! It seems like not long ago I was dreaming about what being a mom would be like. Whenever I would think about it, I always dreamt I had a daughter. You are everything and more that I dreamed of and I feel so lucky that you are mine.

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Happy birthday sweet girl!

Love always,

Mommy