This weekend was one of big outings for Hip Chick. As noted in prior posts, this was our daughter's birthday week, but we opted against a formal birthday party. With Big Sis over for the long weekend, we treated the girls to lots of fun.
First up was a trip to a local aquarium on Saturday. Our hippie was quite the water baby prior to her DDH diagnosis and we thought she would enjoy a different kind of aquatic experience for her birthday outing. Each display drew new exclamations of, "Look, big fishies!" She was engrossed by the stingray tank, shark walk, and tide pool. She was thrilled to pet a living starfish.
After the aquarium, we ate lunch at the nearby Rainforest Cafe. This restaurant is a big hit for kids. It was electric with buzzing crowds, simulated storms, shooting stars, and animated animals.
She could not believe her ears the first time the elephants trumpeted!
The tigers were also a favorite.
We indulged in souvenier cups for the girls. This must be one of the largest souvenier cups I have ever seen.
Very successful day. With our portable booster in tow, we were able to easily navigate the extended outing. The only difficulty as changing her diaper. I have previously remarked on how we gauge outings by ease of diaper changes. Unfortunately, the only diaper changing center was very narrow and awkwardly placed adjacent to a mirror and next to a garbage can. I pulled out a quilt and changed her on a clean area of the floor. Regardless, it was still a very successful day.
The next day, Sunday, we received a generous invitation to a friend's fish fry. I was nervous and needed a bit of pushing from Daddy. We live in North Texas and the fish fry was just over the state line in Oklahoma. I was concerned about the length of time in the car, distance from home, and the fish fry's outside location. But I drew a deep breath and relented. I can't wrap her in bubble wrap and force her inside forever.
The girls enjoyed a fun afternoon. The car ride was briefer than I expected and well tolerated by our hippie. Our Pink Princess enjoyed big girl time riding a four wheeler with the older kids. Little one enjoyed swinging on a large bench swing in the afternoon breeze. Food was tasty and the kids picked a couple of strawberries from our friends' garden before driving home. We were able to change little one's diaper in our friends' house and she was able to ride in the car without needing a diaper change. Another successful long outing in the spica cast.
We ended Memorial Day weekend with one of our riskiest outings to date... Hip Chick's first "big movie." We were fortunate in that the arm rests for our local cinema's seats pull up, which left plenty of room for her to sit in her spica cast. She felt grown up when we allowed her to share in the family's tub of popcorn and was very happy during the previews. What we didn't plan for her was her overall lack of volume control.
Daddy rose and left the theater once to refill the girls' drinks. Hip Chick seemed to think he was lost and yelled, "Oh, NO... Daddy, come here!" until his return. When the lead character fell, she shouted, "OH NO... she BUMPA HER HEAD!!" at least a half dozen times. A couple of outbursts later, we finally left to save our neighboring patrons' ears. Perhaps she enjoyed the movie experience a little too much!
In total, it was a good weekend. May our summer bring many more adventures.
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