Are you my mother?

Are you my mother? has been a favorite of mine and also of my mom's for many years. Today I took the kids to the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes Barre to see a 50 minute theatrical production based on that book. There were four actors - a man who played the part of the dog and three women who played the parts of baby bird, kitten, and hen (plus the one who played the hen was also mother bird). The others were just included through sound effects (cow, boat, airplane, and "snort"). The kids enjoyed it. I had planned to take the kids to another site up in that area (in the fall when we saw a production at that venue we also took the kids to Steamtown National Historic Site). I had looked into a variety of museums, parks, touring a coal mine, etc., but in the end I decided to take the kids to Red Robin for lunch (our annual April trip since they give me a free birthday meal), do a little shopping, and take them to the Children's Museum in Bloomsburg (where we have an annual membership) on the way home. The play was free aside from the $1.50 parking I paid. The auditorium was packed with school kids on a field trip.



Last April when I took them to Red Robin I only bought two kids meals, but I definitely needed to buy three this year as each child polished off his or her meal. At Red Robin the drinks and sides are "bottomless" meaning unlimited free refills. Oliver didn't have any refills, but Ian had refills on his lemonade and Nadia had refills on both her apple juice and fries. After lunch we did a little shopping to make use of coupons I had for Sears and JCPenney. At JCP I bought Nadia three pair of winter pj pants (two different sizes) plus Ian a pair of jeans and a pair of corduroy pants for next year, and the grand total for those five items was $15. At Sears I got Nadia two nightgowns for this summer. We left the house at 8:15 AM and didn't get back until 5:00 PM. It was a full day! Oliver and Ian slept in the van after we left the playground. Oliver got a bloody nose there somehow. The kids are definitely a fan of field trips, especially when it means they don't do any of their usual school work although I did read them three picture books about Russia this evening, and Nadia read a couple of chapters in the third All-of-a-Kind Family book. We listened to the CD of their musical for kids' choir in the van to help them learn the songs. Nadia sang "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" to my mom on the way there. I also worked with Ian on his four Bible verses for AWANA tomorrow night because if he says those he will have finished the regular book AND the extra credit book. Woohoo! Tomorrow is the last night of "regular" AWANA as the following week they will have their annual Grand Prix and Awards ceremony. Nadia and Oliver have painted their cars. Ian has been waiting for Paul to finish sanding his, and then he can paint it as the cars MUST be turned in tomorrow night.