Arbor Day - The Holiday I Missed
Can you believe I forgot to include Arbor Day on my list of holidays that we do not decorate for?! Today was the day. And not a day too soon for Noah who definitely considers this a True Holiday right up there with Valentine’s Day. We mistakenly thought LAST weekend was the big A and bundled up the fam to head out to the festivities when I realized I had screwed up the dates. So the anticipation has been….intense….for Noah. He came running down the stairs yelling “Happy Arbor Day” to anyone who would give him the time of day.
Our community holds a rather ambitious celebration. And even though it is as Cold as a Cast-Iron Commode* I still dragged out all four kids to celebrate The Trees. I left the camera at home thinking how many pictures could I possibly capture in a cement parking lot in the freezing cold? Dumb.
In addition to The Trees, apparently our community mascot, a large spongy acorn, was celebrating a birthday - which involved free cake and cupcakes. He invited a few dozen of his favorite costumed friends including Dora herself (wearing the infamous Backpack), Spiderman and the Houston Rockets mascot whose name I can never remember. I’ve never seen so many costumed characters in one place at one time outside Disney! Noah and Addison just love them!
There were also a bunch of those inflatables that the kids jumped through, slid down and threw themselves around on. We really are going to have to check out one of the local indoor inflatable places soon. The kids had so much fun.
There was also a petting farm full of the most friendly animals ever! I’m usually not a huge fan of the petting farms but this one was really nice. Noah just loved the baby goats and Addy thought it was so cute to see the baby goats nursing. She was amazed to be able to pet a real live chicken. She also just loved the piggy. Its the first time she’s seen a lot of these animals up close and personal so it was pretty exciting for her.
But of course the main reason we went, other than the free cake and cupcakes, was The Trees! I think we ended up taking home at least few dozen trees of all different varieties. I really wanted some pecan trees and a few more magnolias but we also got pine, elm, maple and other varieties.
Best of all? ALL FREE!!!!!!!!!! I’m going to have to file this away as reason #5467 why I love it here. Of course now I have to plant them out in the Cold as Cold as an Ex-Wife’s Heart*. But we’ll live. At least it isn’t snowing.
* I am practicing southern phrases. I have the strongest Michigan accent you will EVER hear. I didn’t even know there was such a thing until I moved here and am repeatedly reminded of this every.single.time I speak to people. So, in an attempt to fit in, I’m adding some new phrases to my repertoire. They might lose something with the wrong accent, I’m afraid.
January 19th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I love that phrase! I have been accused of having an upper midwest accent as well (and I’m quite sure I do to those in the south). And when we lived in FL I was constantly harrassed for using the term “pop” vs. “soda”. It’s amazing how things change in different parts of the country.
January 19th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
haha. I say pop too
January 19th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
ok, you got me…a petting zoo and free trees?? Yep, add another reason why I want to live in your area.
January 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Wow do they celebrate everything where you live? I have never been to an Arbor Day celebration.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Michiganders have accents?? Hmm..didnt know this. I haven’t been out of michigan very much, but thats very interesting, I wonder what we sound like?!
You must live in the coolest place, I mean it seems like there is ALWAYS something going on or being celebrated.
January 20th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Sounds so fun!
Burrrr it’s been chilly! Colder than a witches titty in a brass brasseire! My BIL is famous for all his Southern one liners. Yes, we all have Michigander accents but I have been told (last night in fact) that I am starting to lose it and gain the Texan accent. Mason has the accent. I think. he sounds like it to me.
You still say Pop??? I have been saying soda since I moved here. I started practicing in MI LOL. When people say Pop even I do a double take and say “where are you from?” LOL
January 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Nicki, I get constantly harrassed and thoroughly interrogated everytime I open my mouth here as well… “You must be from Texas?” is asked 99% of the time.
BTW, I grew up in the panhandle of Florida, 10 minutes from the AL state line and we said “coke”. Not “pop”. Not “soda”. “Coke.”
Me: “I’d like a coke please.”
Waitress: “What kind would you like? We have Coca-cola, Sprite…”
Me: “I’d love a Mug root beer, thanks.”
January 20th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Oh, the things you’ll learn to say now that you’re in the south! We’re very descriptive down here. LOL.
Sounds like you’ve been busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kickin’ contest. Or maybe a one-armed paper hanger. Happy Arbor Day!
January 21st, 2008 at 11:18 am
Hi Nicki
Delurking to let you know I love your blog and your kids are just adoreable!! I am from the UK where it is cold and wet ALL THE TIME, so I would just love to live in Texas!!!! It sounds so wonderful. Really!
Take care
Debbie
January 25th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Do you say ya’ll? That should be number one on your list. I use the one armed paper hanger often. I also love “dumber than a box of rocks.” Also work on lengthening your vowels. My “i” can last for days!