ZOO!!

We had such a great day today at the Jacksonville Zoo. We've heard all about it and finally ventured out today with some of our friends. Not only were there lots of different animals to admire, the landscaping was beautiful all throughout the zoo. This morning was nice and cool, and we made it out right before the rain began.

Waiting to see the animals.

I can't remember what these are called (They were on the "Africa Loop"). They were so beautiful and almost didn't look real.

Olivia's favorite animal

She made the elephant noise the whole time she watched it.

the big kids

climbing a rock

The babies...

(I think they were discussing hair bows.)

my baby and a baby giraffe

This was my favorite animal. The zoo staff sold lettuce and people were feeding the giraffes out of their hands. It was so fun to watch. The giraffes were actually close to us, but this baby wandered off.

We kept sticking Olivia next to the animals so that we could have a reason to take a picture. :)

We had to try out the carousel. Jay was proud that he got a picture with everyone looking.

Olivia under the bamboo.

The boys checking out the Komodo Dragon. I think they were disappointed to not find a fire breathing creature...it was just a big lizard.

Olivia, enjoying being out of the stroller.

I just wanted one picture of all three under the bamboo. No one cared about what I wanted.

Then I asked them to jump, so "goofy" came right on out. I'm not sure about Olivia, though. I think she may have been ready for her nap.

Isaac pretended to be terrified of the alligator.

Josiah pretended to conquer the alligator.

Deer prints! It was fun at one exhibit (the "Florida Loop") because in front of each cage, prints of the animal were in the concrete.

Until next time, Jacksonville Zoo.

An Exciting Day

All of our home school curriculum showed up on our doorstep last night. It was so fun to dig through the boxes and see all of the new things we will be reading and learning this year. --And I say "we" because I seem to learn just as much as the kids. I crack up laughing (in my head) at how excited Isaac is after he cried with relief when we were finished this Spring.

Oh so excited

dancing and giggling--open the box!!

This is how far we got into the house with the box before we tore into it.

Books and more books...it's why I love this curriculum so much.

These are the books we will read this year while cuddled up on the couch or a bed. This is the part that makes me excited. The part that overwhelms me is that I have to actually teach stuff...not just read. 36 weeks...I can do it. :)

Nana supplies us with lots of fun things from her classroom that she no longer uses. She gave us lots of books on tape a couple of years ago and they've been in storage this past year. Isaac can actually follow along now, so this is where I find him quite often.

Oh, and King Saul showed up at our table last night.

"Do You Love Me?"

Both of our boys love it when their sister wants to play with them. But Josiah especially loves it when his sister notices him. If she sits in his lap, his heart melts and he is won over. But she rarely chooses to hang out with Josiah because he always has his hands on her and she is a "look but not touch" kind of girl.

This morning Josiah came into my room so happy with a great story to tell me. He was grinning from ear to ear and said that Olivia let him pick her up "and she didn't even cry!" Well, Josiah didn't get enough, so he followed her around asking if she wanted him to carry her or if she wanted to play with him. She finally walked off and allowed him (yes, she is very much a princess) the privilege of interaction. As Josiah followed her out of the room, I could hear him say, "I love you, Olivia." And then a second later, I heard, "Do you love me?" I think she loves him more than he knows.

An Evening With Maggie

Maggie Moo's. It is a sinful place. I think about it entirely too much and tonight I dragged (or drug??) my kids down with me. It's an ice cream shop far too close to our new home.

The boys always order (well, they've only been there twice...but Jay and I always order...haha) the brightest color of ice cream in the glass freezer. Blue cotton candy. I watched as they chowed down and laughed and laughed at their faces. We were the only people in the store, so I decided I'd not make them wipe off their faces and I'd take a picture when we got home. Well, before we left, there were about 4 other families in there with us. I got lots of looks from parents as we left, but I persevered!

They have no clue they are covered in ice cream.

Olivia's ice cream lips looked as if she had put on dark brown lip liner. But most of it came off as she sucked her thumb and licked her chocolaty lips on the way home.

"Hey, Liv. Can you smile for me?"

"Uh-uh."

"Is she still there?"

"Fine. Just... get it over with."

After we took this photo, Josiah looked at it on the camera, touched his nose and said, "Oh!" Haha He finally figured it out. I love that cute smile--his smile, not mine.

Isaac looked at the photo on the camera and didn't notice a thing.

Trying...

Almost...

Urgggg...

VOILA!

Soccer and Sweet Friends

Most of today was spent outside. It's so hot and humid here in the summer that it's hard to make the kids go play outdoors unless we are at the pool. But today, I decided we had been in our house long enough.

We started the day off at the park and ended it at another park with some friends. The rain is the only thing that brought us back into the house. The kids made no protests about going to bed.

Moving this chair is hard work. Notice the sweat on her forehead.

Whew! Wipe it off.

Silly girl. This picture is for you, Buff.

Soccer in the cul-de-sac

The ball finally landed at Olivia's feet.

Oops. She kicked it the wrong way. I was impressed at how well she kept up with the boys. Her brothers love her so much. It makes me a happy momma.

Taking time out to pose for Mom.

His other top tooth is barely hanging in there.

High five...I think they missed.

They both have informed me that they want to play soccer this year instead of baseball.

I wonder if she'll play soccer.

Hey, friend. This is actually the first time that Olivia and Erin have really played together without fighting. They grew up over the summer. :)

My boys sure missed their friends. And Isaac apparently didn't get the camouflage memo.

So...

Did the rain mess up my curls?

You're good.

Two sets of curls. Two pink girls who love baby dolls and beads. Two princesses who rule the roost.