kaleidoscoping chaos...: DAM IT!

Jocelyn and I are back from Vegas. It wasn't a last minute romantic get-a-way without the kids-it was sort of a work, professional development trip for Jocelyn and they welcomed spouses, so I tagged along. Jocelyn was a 2011 Fellow with The Leadership Council for Legal Diversity (LCLD). Their mission as stated on their website is:

The LCLD, which was formed in May 2009, is an organization of corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners dedicated to creating a truly diverse legal profession.
Our vision is to significantly advance diversity and inclusion in our profession.
Our mission is to continue the work of the "Call to Action" initiative by having our organizations hire, retain, promote and engage the best talent. A critical and necessary element of having the best talent is having diverse talent.
We commit to work together to take action to drive material change in our institutions, with others in our circles of influence, and in the profession generally.

It is a great organization doing some great work and Jocelyn was fortunate to be among the first class of its Fellows. The 2011 Fellows organized a reunion trip to Vegas and invited the 2012 Fellows as well. There were activities all weekend and it was a lot of fun. The people were extremely cool. One of the theories behind the work they are doing is that it's all about having "powerful shared experiences" to create long term positive and successful professional and personal relationships throughout your career.

So we went on a helicopter ride over the Hoover Dam!!! Whoop Whoop!

There were a bunch of activities to choose from and one of the things that Jocelyn and I did was the Hoover Dam excursion which was super fun-walking around the dam. But then a few of us decided we all wanted to fly in a helicopter over the dam, see the new bridge and get a better look at Lake Meade. Score! I had never been in a helicopter and it was great! Just like floating in a bubble in the air-seriously.

We got back this morning (yes we took the red eye last night...). Kids were bouncing off the walls happy to see us! We were and are completely thankful and indebted to grandma for watching them! THANK YOU GRANDMA!

Jocelyn went to work... and I got out that kaleidoscope and opened up our bags handing out the "when mommy and mama go away you get presents" stuff. To say the kids were excited, is just a total understatement.

First they both got helicopters... these little ones that move by themselves if you pull them back. Hours of fun... that is until the almost three year old pulls the spinner off... Jonah was completely intrigued by my story of riding in the helicopter.

Then I gave them a book and pamphlets about the Hoover Dam to explain where I took the helicopter. Amazingly, they were both into that too!

This afternoon we got out some sand, water, a bin and a piece of wood. We added some plastic fish and boats for good measure. We created our own dam. And the whole thing was going pretty well, with Jonah reenacting Mommy's helicopter ride over the dam... Eventually it just deteriorated into sand and water play -- they both loved loved loved it! All is good.

Then after some hot and soapy baths, I gave them each one more present that was completely age inappropriate...

Jonah got this 3-D puzzle helicopter which I had hoped to make with him and put on his special shelf... well we made it and then he played with it and now it is in pieces in the garbage. But he enjoyed it. I can't complain.

Vera got this really adorable Native American doll to start her doll collection of dolls from around the world... I had one when I was little. It will go on her special shelf. She gave it a hug and Jonah ripped the two little feathers of its headband...

This was just today. Vegas - Part 2 tomorrow...