the Petting Zoo

We have a pretty cool little farm near our house where you can walk through and pet all sorts of miniature animals.  We've always enjoyed it and I've taken Ryan several times.  The only downfall is it's crazy expensive!  So when poor Abby came along, Mommy couldn't justify the cost of three people [we could seriously go to Catch Air eight times for unlimited play for the price of the three of us to go once and even if you try to pet the animals slowly, you're still done in about half an hour]. 

But I had a feeling Abby would love it and so I decided a couple of months ago that I would take her for her birthday.  And that's just what we did.  While Ryan was in preschool last Wednesday, Abby & I had a mother/daughter date to the petting zoo.  And wow, did she ever love the animals!  I was so glad we went!  She was right up there petting little sheep and goats and baby cows.  She would pet them and feed them and say hi & bye and wasn't even bothered when the big bullies of sheep tried to pin her in the corner to get her bread.  She didn't care too much for the pig [and seeing as he was standing in his super nasty water trough, I was okay with that].  She also didn't like the turkeys, but I remember that from taking Ryan; those things are ugly, big & apparently super scary to kids!

So happy early birthday to my sweet Abby girl!

Tacos and Rock Stars

Last week Ryan had his first taco!  Mommy, huge lover of Mexican food, is very excited about all the possibilities this opens up :)  I took the kids to Moe's for lunch last Monday because it was where I wanted to go; Ryan of course wanted Wendy's & a cheeseburger and nothing to do with his usual quesadilla.  So when we got there we looked at all the pictures and he settled on a taco, although he was adamant about no lettuce on it!  He ate every bite, as did Abby with her quesadilla.  It was a very fun lunch with my babies!

In other news, Abby is becoming quite the princess of fashion.  Both kids love wearing the sunglasses that the Easter Bunny brought them.  They look amazing of course.  However, Abby takes it to a whole new level.  She likes to pick her own headbands in the morning with no regard for colors or matching.  She will also usually add whatever bracelets [or anything else that will fit her wrist] that she can find.  And the occasional necklace too.  Keeping in mind she did this all by herself, here's one of her looks from last week:

Easter Weekend

Happy Easter everyone!  We celebrated by hanging out some more with Maxim and crew on Saturday morning.  After playing and eating lunch at Nana & Pop-Pop's, we headed back to our neighborhood for an egg hunt.  The kids had a great time and I was very impressed with how well the egg hunt was done.  Abby was all about it!  At one point she set her basket down freeing up both hands to gather the eggs as quickly as she could!  Ryan and Maxim did great as well.  Despite trying to slow him down to save eggs for everyone, Ryan collected twenty-four eggs!  I think the neighborhood must have supplemented the egg donations as they were everywhere.  We enjoyed playing on the playground for a few minutes and visiting with our neighbor friends.

Saturday night we went to the Easter service at church.  Ryan was a little out of whack what with going to church on Saturday and all, so he just came into the service with us.  It was great fun having him in there with us actually.  We loved watching him get into the songs and wave his arms around!  He sat calmly during the service and colored with some supplies Ms. Ericah brought him. 

Sunday morning the kids went to Nana & Pop-Pop's while we volunteered at church.  Then we joined up with the whole family for brunch and some Easter games.  The egg toss got a little out of control [surprise] and we all had a good laugh watching Coleson and Nana chase each other around the yard.  We also had an awesome cheering section - the kids were so cute waving the flags from their golf set.  Ryan then went home with Grandma & Grandpa to plant flowers while the rest of us napped :)  They then joined us for a yummy steak dinner, thanks!

Happy Easter to all and happy spring! 

fun with Maxim

We spent the past four days with cousin Maxim and it was been a blast!  Maxim and Auntie Sarah arrived in town on Thursday and we met them in Cumming for Catch Air & Pizza Hut.  The kids had a great time playing together and Abby immediately took to Auntie Sarah, her new bff.  She would even throw herself out of my arms for Auntie Sarah!  After play, play, playing and eat, eat, eating we all came back to the house for naps and quiet time.  Later in the evening Auntie Sarah left for a movie and we had a sleepover party with Maxim, yay!  After a quick dinner, we rode bikes for awhile.  Abby's tricycle officially became an outside toy and she did pretty well for her first real attempt at pedaling.  As long as she was on a slight downhill and Daddy was following behind her, she was fine :)  Then all three cousins enjoyed splashing in the big tub and convincing them to go to sleep after such an exciting day was no problem at all!

We started Friday morning eating breakfast at McDonald's and playing in the playplace.  Yumm, pancakes!  We then enjoyed walking Target [remember those earlier posts about swimming pools and playgrounds?  didn't happen!  just in time for Maxim's arrival the weather went overcast and down into the 60s, boo.].  Friday night featured a double date dinner for Mommy, Daddy, Auntie Sarah, & Uncle Christian.  A delicious dinner at Pure was followed by walking downtown Woodstock during a street festival of sorts.  Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa for keeping our babies for us!  They had a blast dying eggs; Abby had the blue hand to prove it! 



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!"