Mr. Popper's Penguins Play

I took Tornado out on the town last night, just the two of us. I wrote him a note for his lunchbox that said: "Will you go out on a date with me tonight? Love, Mom," and I put little boxes with yes and no for him to check. When I picked him up from school, the note was in his lunch box, and he had very sweetly filled in the yes box. :) He and I had just read the book, Mr. Popper's Penguins, together. We had been meaning to read it for awhile, but when I noticed the play was coming to the Arkansas Children's Theater, I figured this was the perfect time.

We had enjoyed the book. The hard thing about reading a chapter book with Tornado is he doesn't like to stop reading. He always manages to talk me into another chapter...then another. Which I understand because I like to read books all at once, too. Who wants to watch a movie in segments? But my voice does get worn out.

The play was great (lasts through this Sunday the 4th, for those of you who are local and liked the book), and Tornado was CACKLING through it all because there is a lot of absurd (on purpose), over-the-top acting/slap-stick comedy. He gets to laughing SO hard during plays and movies. It's really a fun thing to watch, and I hate that I have to "shh" him so often. He makes excited comments so loud without realizing it. He kept saying, "This is funny! I like this!" and bouncing up and down in his seat. I hate having to curtail that kind of enthusiasm because I admire that sort of unabashed emotion. I'm such an even-keeled person, and it takes a lot for me to laugh that deeply. I love that he laughs so hard and so often (from the gut) since laughter is so good for your health.After the play, some of the actors came out on stage to answer questions from the audience. The whole ride home we talked about what questions we could have asked them, comparisons from the book and play, and our favorite funny parts.

Before the play, we stopped at The Children's Place and stocked up on pants for him. (We have to get adjustable/elastic waistbands for him.) After the play, we stopped by Whole Foods for groceries, and he got a Rice Dream Bar for the ride home.