Whirlwind Week!

Tony and I made it to and from Vegas safely.  We had a GREAT time.   Who knew it could be so much fun to go and watch two grown men beat the crap out of each other!!   Saturday night, we attended the Hopkins vs. Calghaze (sp?) fight.   Things really got going just before the main event, when the celebrities started to roll in!  Now this was my idea of fun... stargazing.   We saw (okay through binoculars... thanks Uncle Pete)  Simon Cowel, Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Arnold Schwarzenagger, Whitney Houston, Seth Rogan (Canadian content!), Ray J, Jay-Z, Shaq, Luke Perry, Maury Povich, Robert Shapiro (OJ fame)... Michael J. Fox (no visual on him, but he was announced... again Canadian content) and of course Jim Buffert (I think I got that right)... you know the "Let's get ready to rumble"  guy.   There was one other guy they didn't announce, he was getting his picture taken with people, but I couldn't get a close enough look.  The crazy thing with Shaq  was that Tony was watching the Suns play in San Antonio when we left the hotel and then there he was... private jets... what a wonderful thing!

Speaking of our hotel... wow!  I highly recommend the Venetian... beautiful!  We did some shopping and some gambling.  I did pretty well at single deck, face down blackjack. Unfortunately, my winnings only allowed us to break even... someone, who shall remain nameless, didn't fare as well!  We took a couple of pictures, but they are on my other camera, I'll try to post again later. Nothing from the fight though.  When we went to Elton John last year we had to check our cameras (like you would a coat) so we opted to skip it for the fight.  Turns out we could have brought it.

When we returned, mom and I got busy preparing the garage sale.  It consumed most of our week, but allowed us to spend time together and I definitely could not have done it without her... and dad too, he hung out with the boys so we could pull the sale off.   We had a great Thursday, the weather was beautiful and lots of people.  Friday, we had to keep the garage doors shut and had people come in the side door.   The wind was crazy and cold.  People still came, but we didn't fare as well as Thursday.   Since we still had a couple of big items and a good selection of kids clothes we opted to open Saturday too.  Originally we wanted to keep Saturday free, but what the heck.  When all was said and done, we packed up 3 boxes for goodwill and made just shy of $1200 which recoups the cost of our flights in July!  I think that was worth it.

With this week being so hectic we didn't take many pictures, but here are a few.  Hopefully, I'll get better at posting once school is out.   17 days!!

This sale wasn't easy.  I am so sentimental and a bit of a pack rat, but our boys are so fortunate, to have so many people who love them buy them toys.  It was time to thin out the well loved and make room for bigger boy ones.

We were amazed to find that we had 7... yes 7 strollers.  We are now down to a more respectable 4 (regular, sit and stand - double, and 2 umbrella).  Not sure what happened there.  I know one was from Disney when we forgot ours and had to buy one, the rest....

Mom shows off some of what was left... after we packed up a few boxes.

Ryan playing in the dark with his flashlight.

Sean playing trains, with the tunnel he and Papa made in January.

Ryan reading his new fav... Chugga Chugga Poo Poo  The Potty Train

Not much luck at this point.  Hopefully when school gets out I can be more consistent.

Sean (yes he is in his underwear... spilled at supper... therefore stripped down) was snuggling with Nana when Ryan decided to join in!

A quiet moment with Nana... watching Backyardigans.

Reading the paper with Papa.

Taking a break from working.

Papa Joe (Ryan says it now!), Sean, Ryan and Stanley playing in the backyard.

Another fun visit, gone too fast.  Now we look forward to the big one in July!!

Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car

  Yesterday morning Sean and Ryan woke to the news that they would be going on a big car ride in the afternoon.  We would be going to see the Wiggles!  They were sooo excited.   Sean had some idea, what to expect since he went with us 2 years ago.  Ryan wasn't sure what all this talk was about, but thought it sounded like a good idea.    After picking Sean up early from school, we were on our way.   Both boys cooperated by sleeping, Sean for an hour and Ryan for most of the 2+ hour drive.   Our first stop was a local Chili's for chips and salsa and dinner.    We arrived at the arena in plenty of time to find our 4th row seats (not counting the really, really good seats in front of our 4 rows!!) and steer clear of the concessions.   Ryan desperately wanted popcorn... and everything else he saw ...  "Mommy, me too... I want".   Fortunately for him he is a resourceful little guy and he managed to make friends with the nice daddy behind us who bought his kids popcorn and offered him all he wanted!   

Once the lights dimmed and the music started the boys could feel the excitement.  The looks on their faces when they started singing Toot, Toot Chugga Chugga big red car...  made the long drive so worth while. 

The boys goofing around with stickers, waiting for the show to start.

I see them!

Okay, Mommy looks a little more excited here, but I was reacting to Ryan's 

reaction... unfortunately not captured.  Notice how he is pointing with some question... not sure if he is really seeing the Big Red Car.

Sam, Anthony, Jeff and Murray in the Big Red Car

Anthony singing and welcoming the crowd

Barely on the stage 5 minutes and Jeff was asleep

Good thing he had thousand of kids to help... 1,2,3 WAKE UP JEFF!

Not long into the show, Anthony (Blue Wiggle) and the others made their way through the crowd.  Sean went to the aisle to say hello.  Unfortunately by the time he passed our row he had to hurry back on stage.  Notice how he is looking straight ahead as little Seany has his hands up beside his mouth yelling for him.   He was soooo sad.  However, when I pointed out how lucky he was to see him that close he settled.   He then said "Mommy, it's really them!"

Anthony, back on stage playing the drums.  Ya, your right... he's my favourite!!

Sam (Yellow Wiggle, Sean's favourite) took over for Greg not long after we saw them last.  Sean believes this to be Greg's brother.   Greg is still with the group but no longer tours due to some sort of illness.  Sean was quite concerned as to whether or not Greg stayed in bed to get well.

Captain Feathersword (recall Sean's Halloween costume) makes his upside down entrance.

Wags, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur and Henry the Octopus

Sean with Dorothy dancing in the background

Due to the late hour (6:30 show... late for Ry Guy) Ryan became Wiggly in his own right.  He made his way between Mommy and Daddy's laps.  Here he shows his ticklish (very ticklish) side to Daddy

Murray playing his guitar.  At this point kids who brought their Wiggles guitars played them and others were playing air guitar

Captain Feathersword after another failed attempt to keep the blow up Murray in the air

Murray thanking the crowd

Another great show.  These guys are high energy and keep the kids engaged.  They are smart enough not to have an intermission.   Their show is long enough you don't feel ripped off, short enough that you know they are considerate of the age group they are entertaining.  I know, I sound like an infomercial for them, but if you have young kids and you have the chance... go. 

Until next time Wiggles!