Beanie's 4th bday: annual zoo trip

As we've done now for 4 years in a row, we went to the zoo today, on Beanie's 'actual' birthday.

Since it opened at 9, and we're used to all getting up and out of the house, it was no big deal to get up and ready.  Grandma Young met us here to ride up with the girls at 8:15 sharp and we headed up.  When we got REALLY close, it looked like the skies were going to open up and DUMP on us all day--it was scheduled to rain (40%) and we all had our fingers crossed, but it was in the 90's yesterday, so I was wishing for a sprinkle.

We got there and it was looking impending--but it rained literally :30 seconds.  We put the girls in the wagon and hightailed it for shelter--and the front gate.

Checked in, I was racing towards each next grove, in case the rain came--but it never did.  It was the most bizarre thing.  We went to all the inside places, the fish, the manatee, etc. thinking we'd need cover, but by 10 it was just overcast, even breezy, and beautiful.  We took turns racing the girls through the zoo, and the flamingos, apes, Gibbons (where we witnessed why monkey bars are they way they are) and had a great time.

We headed to see the river, while we waited on the boats to open--but growing impatient, we doubled back and fed the lorakeets instead. 

Next, the kangaroos, and then the carousel.  She got to ride 4x, while the rest of us rotated in and out.  Cora was not a fan of sitting on the horses, so she rode with me on the bench and that was super :)

Cora wasn't herself, but she was a trooper.

Beanie picked out a flamingo (to go with the larger one she sleeps with every night) and Cora picked out even tinier flamingos as her take-home.

Grandma surprised Amara with a G I A N T penguin, just like the ones we saw!  She snuggled with him on the way home.

We were all warm and getting tired by 11:30 when we hit the car.  Grandma headed home and we grabbed some lunch before getting home for naps. It was such a great day, and I just love these "family" times with everyone, and feel so L U C K Y!!

Amara's 4th birthday!

Never really knowing how to pick a birthday theme, Amara and I started discussing options in the Winter.  Would it be party rock?  Some cartoon she never mentions?  I tossed out several concepts and the one she landed on was a blue theme.

She and I started planning and ordering decorations, thinking of ways to incorporate blue into her party.  Eric (of course) suggested bleu cheese dressing, but we went in a different direction.

Instead we had blue snow cones, a blue cake, balloons, paper decorations, table clothes, and candies.

Next, the guests.  Between Eric's and my families, we have almost 20 right there.  I also wanted to add in (for the first time) a few friends that Amara selected--and she picked Alex, Irelyn and Landon Hinkle from her Primrose class.

After a fun time on an inflatable ride a few months ago, we decided that we'd get one for her party, so Eric and I picked that out too--little did we know, at the time, that it would be in the 90's for her big day.

No matter though, as we set up a fan, mister, tent for the little ones, and plenty of water outside.

When it was present time, Amara tore through her presents with fervor!  I had no idea what was from whom, but I've sense pieced it together (for the thank you notes). 

Next up, cake.  Misty mistyscakery.com always does a great job, so I knew she'd be the one for our blue theme, complete with blue cake on the inside. 

Grandma Jahn took Amara for a bit while we got the party ready--Carolyn helped me, while Eric tended to a sickly little sister, Cora.  It was great to surprise Amara with a fully decorated house, complete with cake when she came home.

She had so much fun playing outside with her friends, they took turns riding the jeep and scooter, running the obstacle course, and eating snow cones.  What more could we ask for?

A very tired birthday girl crashed after all her guests left, but before, she made sure they all got their blue hand kites to thank them for coming.

Tbirds tball

Amara is a Colorado Rockie, and daddy is an assistant coach ;)

There's a great little organization called jump start sports who gets the smaller kids involved early.  She signed up while it was still pretty cold out, but now we're into the season.  It's 6 weeks, she plays at Windsor park in GC (where mom and dad like to remind us that dad played on 61 years ago, and was also where mom's water broke with me--while at one of Tim's games).

Eric ran batting drills with the kids, and Amara did really well with him.  He said she listened to her pretty well.  She also liked running the bases--she actually said that was her favorite part.

When she got her turn at the plate, she hit the ball, then actually chased her ball--carrying her bat, helmet, all of it.  I'm not sure when she dropped the chase OR the bat, but she eventually made it to first base.  At this level, they aren't playing for outs, rather each kid goes through the motions of hitting, running, throwing, etc. 

They spend about half the practice on fielding, batting, and running, then each team bats through their lineup.  It seems like a pretty good setup.

Once the kids all showed up, she was happy to see that her friend Johnny King from Primrose was on her team and Irelyn was on the opposing team, the Mariners.  We were talking about the game at bedtime and she said "Irelyn gave me a high 5," referring to when all the kids line up and tell each other 'good game." It was sweet.

Both grandmas and grandpas came and aunt Kristin too.  We needed the help--I bet there were about 10 kids there for every grown up and Cora was convinced she was part of the team--insisting she needed to be on the field.

At the end of the time, we all headed home. Grandpa Jahn had grabbed a few hot dogs and cheez-its for the ride home, we finished dinner, quick showers and to bed. I don't think I heard a peep from either girl--granted, it was Friday and they are always whipped, but they were REALLY tired after all that practice.

Picking berries at Hann's

Strawberries came on early this year, REALLY early.

The first weekend in May we headed out to get our very own berries and have a great time.  We headed to Hann's, where we've been going the last few years, and it was already getting busy.  We got our bucket weighed and went to the fields to get our prize.

Within seconds, the girls were BOTH already cramming their faces with the fresh off of the vine goodies.  Amara did a really great job listening and picking ONLY the ones that were completely red, whereas Cora was content to just be handed hers--I think the hay being almost as thick as she was tall in some spots intimidated her. :)

When we had enough, we went back in the barn to weigh our berries.  We didn't get a ton, so we got a few other pecks to supplement, and grabbed a few for Grandpa Jahn too.  It was fun, too bad it's been so hot--they won't last forever, but they sure are tasty!

Amara insisted on holding the berries in the car--and I'm sure I found at least a dozen stems back there :)

Mother's day weekend (part 2)

Sunday, which was actually Mother's Day, was a continuation of fun events carried over from Saturday's events.  We started off with breakfast at the house.

Later we headed up to Build a Bear, for our first ever trip.  Right away, Amara spotted a rainbow bear and daddy spotted a purple hello kittty (Cora is slightly obsessed with right now).  We watched as Eric walked down the row with Cora, to see if any animal would catch her eye and sure enough, she spotted the kitty and had to have her.

After building our pets, we picked out some purple PJ's for Amara, got birth certificates and headed to the space play area.  Amara made quick friends with a little girl there, and they played follow the leader for quite some time.

Aunt Annie's pretzels are a must, so we grabbed a few and headed for the car.

play area

Yogurt at Cuzzins has become a regular occurrence for us too, so we headed there before back down south--and while it was overcast and had rained on and off all day, the girls ate their yogurt under the patio umbrellas like little ladies.

We stopped by grandma and grandpa Jahn's before heading home, for a quick visit, and then some down time for everyone.  With such a packed day and weekend, we were all quickly ready for bed.  As I put Amara to bed, and kissed Cora goodnight, I was overwhelmed by how adorable these little girls who call me mama, mom, mommy, or even Mrs. Micki--really are.  We had a great day and weekend--special thanks to E for coordinating and making me feel special.

Mother's day weekend part 1

Mother's Day weekend this year was JAM packed.  We started off Saturday by picking up Amara, who had spent the night with grandma Jahn. We took the opportunity to give her the cards and gift we had for her, then we set off on an excursion of our own, strawberry picking.

After berries (and nap) we decided to get outside and enjoy the weather--in the form of an at-home carwash.  Everyone got involved and we all got soapy and wet--we put the girls specialties to work and made light work of washing our two cars, too cute.

After our busy day, we decided to take it easy--we picked up a pizza from Wedgewood and headed to one of our favorite parks.  The girls had a blast swinging and they pretty much had the park to themselves.  They weren't nearly as interested in eating as they were playing, which is fine, and becoming pretty much the norm for the hot weather we've been having ;)

A quick trip home for bath and to bed, more planned for tomorrow, but a great lazy weekend with my family and I couldn't ask for more!