lions and tigers and bears

On Monday we had another one of our crazy adventures with Ms. Christa and Ms. Alicia and seven kids!  I love these ladies and their families and I love that they love having fun and making memories!  We've been friends for years and now our kids are growing up together and I'm really enjoying watching them become friends too. 

Our recent day at the zoo was one such crazy adventure :)  Thanks to Christa and her awesome season pass for getting us all in for free!!  Despite the spring break crowds and circling the zoo parking lots for over thirty minutes, we eventually found parking almost a mile away!  [and I'm not exaggerating.  We asked Christa's smartphone for walking directions to the zoo].  After a quick picnic by our cars to avoid bringing everything we owned into the zoo, we were off.  Two double strollers, three big boys walking, and a mile to go :)  The kids did great though.  Of course there were a few moments here or there, but those were expected.  Honestly, there were far fewer of those then there could have been and overall the day was very successful.

The first highlight was the meerkats.  I'm not sure why but the boys really took to them.  They were super cute and Ryan's mentioned them several times the last few days.  From there, the giraffes were the next big hit.  They were hanging around right by the fence, so close to us!  There was even a baby giraffe snuggling with his mommy.  By far the best of the day was the panda bears.  This was Ryan's third time at Zoo Atlanta and the first time I've ever seen the pandas awake.  They were so playful and totally showing off for us!  One of them even walked right up against the glass twice while we were watching.  The kids loved it!  Ryan hasn't stopped talking about the panda bears.  And he even remembers the details, such as they are inside now because they don't like being hot in summer [they have an indoor area that's kept at 61 degrees].  The elephants were the other big success.  They were also in great spots for viewing and one came right to the fence and looked straight at us.  The kids were so cute lining up on the fences and trying to get as close as they could.  And calling out "Hi!!" to the animals.

In addition to the animals, we enjoyed ice cream, riding the train, taking lots of photos, reading the map, and all sorts of other fun.  Ryan really took to the park map, telling us which animal was next and always trying to plot our course.  There were a few times I wanted to grab the map away and tell him to focus on the living animals in front of him!  But he's so super book-smart and inquisitive and that's just who he is and I am constantly amazed by him!  Ryan asked immediately to ride the train, so I showed him the train on his map and how it was at the end of the circle we were making.  We cut it a little too close though; we barely made it on the last train of the day.  I shudder to think what would have happened if we'd missed it; I would have been the worst mom ever for letting him down like that! 

The kids had such a great time at the zoo and hanging out with their friends.  The three big boys stuck together like glue and had so much fun, while Abs and her friend JJ shared a double stroller.  And then when they finally got to walk, they hung out together too.  Abby wore G's monkey backpack/ leash for awhile [don't judge me!  I know before kids I used to think leashes were only for dogs too!].  Abby was so cute with her monkey and really enjoyed the freedom he gave her.  And when JJ got out of the stroller, we had her hold onto the monkey tail.  The girls thought this was great fun and it relieved a tiny bit of the stress associated with having the two of them loose! 

After shutting down the zoo [you'd be amazed at how long it takes all those kids to walk up to the front of the zoo and then to all use the bathroom one last time], we made our mile long trek back to the cars.  When we got home, it was straight to the tub, a quick bite to eat, and bedtime.  What an exhausting day!  But such a fun day with lots of wonderful memories!

a little bit of life

We've spent the last few weeks loving the beautiful weather!  I just love love love spring and sunshine and being outside.  This past weekend was devoted almost entirely to yardwork and I must confess that I really enjoy it.  For better or for worse though, there won't  be quite as much yardwork as normal for me this year :)  Instead I did what I could in the yard and then sat in my chair in the sun and ate ice cream and read a book, it's tough being pregnant!  Thank you Coleson for making our yard looking super awesome!!

Our playdates have also turned outside: the park, the zoo, kiddie pools in the backyard [in early April!!!].  And while not a spring-themed playdate, I must mention that we had a girls' playdate at Catchair one day last week while Ryan was at preschool.  It's been fun getting to know our new small group, esp since this one is almost all girls - who would have thought three or four years ago that there'd be more girls then boys in our lives?!  Abby loves her little friends, Olivia and Emma, from our small group and I love that she has girl-friends her own age.  They are so cute playing together and they had a blast at Catchair and then at Chick-fil-a. 

We've also picnic'd at Central Park with Ms. Alicia, Ms. Christa, and their kids.  Speaking of Abby and girl-friends, Abs and her little bff, JJ, were sooo sweet holding hands and running through the playground.  I love watching those two interact!  And we had Madeleine and Baby Alex over to play in the backyard one day.  [I forgot to mention it's spring break, hence the large number of recent playdates].  Yesterday we set up the two kiddie pools and in the morning we played with Ryan's friend Seth from preschool and his family.  Then we headed back out again after naptime and splashed some more.  We've eaten outside several times, including hosting our small group social / cookout.  What a nice evening with friends, good food, cornhole, and a spectacular lightening show in the distance.  We joined Grandma & Grandpa for lunch one day and a walk / bikeride with Riley.  Hmmm, Coleson accused me yesterday of being a social butterfly, perhaps he was right!  Have I mentioned that we love being outside in spring?? 

The rest of spring break includes the fun and excitement of Cousin Maxim's arrival!  Ryan's had today on his calendar for weeks!  We're also looking forward to plenty of Easter fun.  Ryan had his Easter egg hunt / party at preschool last week, but I'll include that in an Easter blog later :)  Happy Spring Break and enjoy the sunshine!!

Happy birthday Cousin Maxim!

In honor of Maxim's Birthday ... a post about Maxim's birthday weekend!  But first ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAXIM!!!

So Friday [after a crazy afternoon that included a sick visit to the pediatrician followed by a drive to North Fulton hospital at 5:30 on a Friday for a $98 prescription], we drove to South Carolina to party with our favorite nephew.  Saturday morning we celebrated with Maxim at the bouncy houses.  The kids had a great time!  Ryan loved the bouncy houses, the rock wall, and having all sorts of family & other kids to play with.  Abby loved the ride-on toys and pushing Maxim's little neighbor-boys all over the place.  And of course she tried out a couple slides and the obstacle course.  Pregnant Mommy loved the pizza and cheetos best :)

We enjoyed spending Saturday with all sorts of family: Nana & Pop-Pop were there and Granddaddy & Jo-Ann and Maxim's Auntie Sara came up too.  Ryan had fun playing with Layla at the party and Uncle Tyler was there too [and brought the awesome airplane carrier ship thingy that the boys played with all day long!].  Saturday night we ate at the Runway Cafe at the airport.  The kids had a great time watching the planes, in particular one plane that was showing off his touch-and-go skills.  What a great day it was!  Sunday we drove home so Daddy could get to FL for some work stuff and we celebrated Grandma's birthday with her that evening.  Happy Birthday to both Maxim and Grandma!!



Big Boy Bunk Beds!

At almost exactly four and a half years old, we figured it was finally time to get Ryan a real bed!  Poor guy has been sleeping in his converted crib/ toddler bed for way too long!  He looked so big in there.  So nine months after we first saved the info on these beds, we ordered them :)  We are nothing if not thoughtful and confident about our purchases!  [or lazy or life just happened or we weren't sure the gender of the new baby or what might happen to room arrangements or plenty of other excuses].  

But anyways, Ryan and Daddy put the beds together last Thursday.  Although they weren't done in time for sleeping in, so Ryan and Abby had a slumber party in her room!  When Ryan woke up Friday, it was like Christmas morning.  He was so excited to see his beds!  He's a great kid and super cautious and pretty calm by nature, so we've been comfortable letting him sleep on the top bunk.  The railing's really high and he's very careful to use the steps correctly.  He loves it up there!  We've also been working on rearranging some of the stuff on his walls.  I finally got his name moved over this afternoon, so it is centered on the new bed.  We're also going to swap out the Baby Snoopy quilt on the wall for some big boy decor - probably a couple of Georgia Bulldawg prints :)  

Sweet Dreams my Little Man! 

Cars

Abby loves to watch out the window while we drive ... and every white car we pass is "Daddy Car!"  Almost all black SUVS are "Nana Car" and the occasional big, blue SUV will be "Asher Car!"  She also spots "school bus" and "fire truck" when we pass by.  Her words and perception amaze me!

Chatty Abby

A few of the fun things Abby's said today:

*Seeing as it's a beautiful, mid-70s, sunny day, I dressed Abby in a pair of Ryan's old brown sandals [I'm going to a consignment sale both this week and next, so I don't want to buy her girly sandals until I check out the sales].  After excitedly wearing them for a moment, she announced "khaki shoes, khaki shoes!" and has been calling them that ever since [she hasn't taken them off yet :)]

*While babbling and talking to herself in the car this morning, she said "oh my gosh, oh my gosh"

*After lunch she ate a bag of animal crackers.  With each animal, she'd hold it up and ask me "what's that?"  As if it weren't impressive enough that she's asking questions now, after I told her one of the animals she responded "awesome!" 

I'm a Soccer Mom!

Ryan had his first soccer "game" on Saturday.  I wasn't sure who was more excited about it, him or me :)  We wrote soccer and drew a soccer ball on his calendar for the 10th when we changed it to March and he's been counting down the days!  His team includes his friends/ neighbors Anna Wynn & Sam and Daddy is the assistant coach.  The head coach, Coach Alan, was great too, so we're looking forward to a super fun season. 

The games are literally three minutes away at the elementary school and are Saturday mornings for the next couple of months.  They spend the first half hour practicing and then they play a little scrimmage "game" against one of the other pre-k teams.  There's no score keeping or anything like that; it's more of just keeping the ball in bounds and the kids running in the right direction!  Ryan did so well, he was so confident, and had a blast.  And I must confess I love being a soccer mom! 

P is for Pajamas and Pancakes

Unfortunately, we've spent the beginning of March battling stomach bugs and colds in the Chase house.  As a result, Ryan missed two of three days of preschool last week.  He loves preschool and he didn't take the news that he couldn't go to school very well.  Especially when he missed Pajama day, poor guy.  In honor of the letter P, his class had a pajama / pancake / P-themed day planned and he'd already told his best preschool buddy, Hudson, that he'd be there in his Bob the Builder pjs.  In attempt to make it up to him, we celebrated family pajama and pancake morning at home.  Abby, Mommy, and Ryan all dressed up in our favorite pj's and I made them chocolate-chip pancakes, sausage, and strawberries for breakfast.  We then read a couple of bedtime favorites - Pajama Time by Sandra Boyton [of course!], Bedtime Mouse, and Don't Wake the Bear.  Ryan loved hollering the rest of the sentence for me: but .... "don't wake the bear!"  I tried my hardest to find our copy of If You Give a Pig a Pancake with no luck though.  While I'm sure it wasn't quite the same as preschool, hopefully Ryan enjoyed it well enough!  So glad to say that everyone's been healthy for the last three days or so; I sure hope we're done passing around our bugs!

Driving Miss Abby

After dropping Ryan off at preschool this morning, Abby & I headed to Cumming for the Baby Doctor and a couple errands.  Shortly after leaving preschool, we passed this meadow where three or four horses live and they were gathered around a huge bale of hay chomping away.  Abby sees them and hollers: "Cows eat it! Cows eat it!"  [which would be even more impressive if they were cows, but alas at her age cows and horses are one and the same].

It was a fun experience having just Abs in the car with me for so long today.  Without her big brother to do all the talking, she was quite vocal.  I caught her several times covering her eyes and playing "peek boo" with herself.  And she sang her version of the ABCs a few times.  She gets "A,B,C" without any trouble and sort of ad-libs the rest.  Today she was singing: "Next time won't you sing"  That's what, five words in a row, proud momma here!  And she asks for her toys by name; the one that most impresses me though is she says "dinosaur" just as well as any adult.  Unfortunately she had brought dinosaur inside a couple of days ago, so we had to talk about how dinosaur was "home" and "upstairs."

advanced reasoning at not-even-two-years-old

So this morning Abby's sitting in her chair for breakfast and she starts pointing out the back door saying "outside, outside."  I told her no, we can't go outside, it's really cold and really windy.  She looks right at me at says "jacket!" 
I think I'm going to have my hands full with these two smarty-pants of mine!