Girls' Day Out

Bethany and I enjoyed a very special outing the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Grandma Teri invited us to join her and cousins Carrigan and Brittney for an afternoon at the theater!  She took us all to lunch and to see "The Velveteen Rabbit" at Tempe Center for the Arts. A group called Childsplay put it on and it was quite a treat.  Bethany had never been to see any live theater and I am such a fan...I was excited to have an opportunity to introduce her to it in such a fun way. Due to having two small brothers that came along not long after she did, she also hasn't had much experience eating in restaraunts so she was super excited about that! 

We got all dressed and even did our hair (she doesn't enjoy this as much as I do, so it's always a big treat for me when she lets me fix it!) so we could go out as a bunch of Ballard Gals!

When we got to Ruby Tuesdays, Bethany very excitedly ordered a Mango Lemonade...two of her favorite things smooshed into one! Mmm-mmm.

Ever since she was a baby, she has loved chomping on the lemons from my water! We always get good sour faces out of her!

We went on to our play, after getting lost on a detour (some crazy people were doing the iron man thing and messing up our route to the theater!) and forgetting our tickets! It's always something!  But, it all worked out fine and we loved the play. For those unfamiliar, the story revolves around a stuffed bunny and his journey to becoming "real"...achieved after being truly loved by a child. So sweet. The theater company invited all the children to bring a favorite stuffed animal and even handed out lap tickets for them. What a creative idea! I thought for sure Bethany would bring her stuffed (though, after a couple years of her dragging him around and using him as a pillow, I use that term quite loosely) dog, Darby. But, she randomly chose this other puppy we had around the house. She did pretty well during the show...kind of hopped around from her seat to my lap to Grandma's lap...but she had fun and followed the storyline well. (I know because she asked a LOT of questions..and not so much in a whispering voice...) It was a great experience and a really neat facility. I will definitely go back with JC and hopefully the kids someday.

Here, we have wandered outside after the show. They have a fantastic area behind the building with a pool, waterfall and walkways with a great view of Tempe Town Lake. 

The girls did us a favor and sort-of posed for ONE picture. Kids must get so tired of being told to sit still for cameras so often! But, aren't they all so pretty?

Carrigan took Bethany to walk down to the lower level.

and they looked down over the lake, spying on some ducks.

Bethany was a bit mesmerized by the waterfall coming off the pool. I don't blame her. The whole place had a very urban, yet peaceful feel.

And then they were off! Bethany grew tired of her poncho-esque outerwear and gave it to Brittney...but apparently decided she must have it back and the chase began.

...and continued...

...and...continued.

They were so cute, running around, having a grand ol' time. I'm so glad Bethany has fun cousins to play with! So many of my childhood memories center around cousins so I'm happy to have that same opportunity for my kids.

True to her word, Grandma got us some ice cream on the way back home. We also picked some up for the boys for being such good sports and letting us girls go off and play. When we got back to our place, they were eagerly waiting outside for us (not sure if they missed us or just wanted the ice cream)...

"Look Mom, ice cream!"

Grandma shares with Ben, which he appreciates...

...VERY much.

I love this picture because he is cute. 'Nough said. (Well, also because he looks a lot like JC in it...which, I suppose is where the cuteness comes in...and because he is attempting to ride a little scooter. I think it was the first time he did that. So cute.)

As you can see behind him, everyone kind of took to bike-riding/ice-cream-eating.

Ooh, looks like she's digging right in. That's my girl. Cone and all. Ben appears to be a bit of a moocher when it comes to the ice cream.

The group gets brave and rides a couple houses down. I love living on a cul-de-sac and not having to worry too much about them wandering a couple doors down. (Doesn't hurt that all four houses at the end of the cul-de-sac are people in our ward so we know them fairly well)

And...back they come. Ben leads the way, feeling very involved and very grown up.

Here, James stares at the handprint in the top of his ice cream cone. Such things never happened before he had a baby brother. (Ben examines the ice cream on his fingers. Such things have always and probably will always happen, being a baby brother.)

What a fun day. Boys' day in, girls' day out, ice cream for all!!!!  Thank you, Grandma Teri!!!