We started at the zoo in Idaho Falls. On the way there I joked with LeRoy that we were taking our zoo to the zoo and then I got pictures of my monkeys looking at the monkeys. Nathan especially liked the one that kept jumping on the window right next to him.
Nathan and Justin had fun walking among the goats and giving them mohawks. Hyrum loved all the animals, reaching for them and calling out to them "kitty", but once he went in with the goats he didn't seem too excited anymore. Nathan's favorite animal was the llama because of his favorite book "Llama, Llama, Red Pajama".
The last pictures we got of Levi and Erika at this zoo they had to stand on tippy toes to reach the lion water fountain. Nathan liked the animals that he could actually sit on but was a little warry of sitting on them by himself.
Then it was time to go to the big kid activity. With our tickets for the derby cars we also got tokens for the arcade. It was funny to see every one of the kids spend their tokens on the driving games instead of all the others that were there. Nathan was in heaven with a "huge car to drive".
Then it was time for the derby races. Justin wasn't tall enough for the big track (which I was so thankful for!) so he had his own race with a bunch of other kids. Derek, Erika, Levi and LeRoy all went on the big track and I had a hard time watching. They aren't supposed to run into each other but at the speeds they are going and the turns in the track it is part of the race. With the exception of Derek's accident which stopped the whole race for about 5 minutes, they all had fun. I have a hard time watching my kids do something that has so much potential for injury but they all had a good time together and that is what matters.
If you watch this video you get an idea for how loud it was, which really bothered Nathan at first, and at the end of it you can see how LeRoy ran into Levi going around the corner. Derek came flying around this same corner at full speed and did not even make the turn but instead ran into the side wall. We think he got confused with the gas and brake pedals which caused him to smack into the wall at full speed. As soon as he hit the wall his body was thrown forward, then lashed back and he was out cold. His eyes were open but he wouldn't move or respond to the guy on duty or to me. It took a couple of minutes to figure out what had happened and he seemed to be in a bit of shock. Once he was responsive again I wanted him to get off the track but he wanted to finish and LeRoy thought it wasn't that big of a deal so he stayed. He did spend the rest of the race at the edge of the track going quite slow and he let everyone pass him for the rest of the race. After he walked off the track and I asked him if he was ok (because he still looked like he was in a bit of a daze) he started to cry. He was trying to be a tough kid but it scared him pretty bad and he had seatbelt bruises from it. I'm not sure he will do that one again for a while which would be fine with me!
After we got home we colored eggs. To understand the value of this family activity you need to know that I have never colored eggs in my whole life. In 18 years we have never done it in our family. LeRoy stopped at the store to pick up eggs and coloring kits, the kids and I prepped the kitchen for the 'art project' (as they called it) and we had a fun time. It was fun to see the kids help each other out and share ideas.
5 comments:
what a fun-filled day...i hope Erika had shoes on in the car ;)
I totally forgot about coloring eggs this year until yesterday-the didn't remember either, so it must not have bothered them. it's pretty fun to do isn't it?? what great photos of your family!
That all looks like so much fun (aside from Derek's accident of course). What a good way have fun with all ages of kids.
By the way, how did you make your large photos of small photos? I have a lot of pictures from Easter that I want to share, but I would rather do it this way than put each one on individually.
You do so well making sure your family gets this yearly(or more) day together. It looks like it was really fun.
Good Job MOM!!! and dad for the eggs(which is so funny when you know the whole story)
While watching the video I jumped when LeRoy hit Levi! I can't imagine what was going through your mind actually experiencing it and having the other accident with Derek. I am glad he is ok though.
I loved the photos of the animals and kids! Very fun and congrats on actually doing the egg dying thing! I hope you enjoyed the entire day!
I can't believe you did all those things. You mentioned that your family had gone to Idaho Falls together but nothing about the activities and good times had by all. Seems it wouldn't be normal if something didn't go slightly wrong(so sorry Derek).
I really missed coloring eggs this year but we didn't realize Peru wouldn't have the kits and after that I didn't try very hard. Our Easter tradition is to make Cream Tuna Eggs which all of our kids love. That was the extent of our actual Easter fun.
I just remembered the kids chocolate eggs are still in the freezer.
We did do stuff with the embassy the weekend before. The boys had a night-time Easter egg hunt with flashlights and Andie got hers the next day. And with their school parties they got plenty of candy and commercial Easter.
Anyway, I agree with Mom that you do a great job including the different ages of your kids and it seems fun to all share in the simple things.
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