Petting zoo, snuggles & a cute little frog

Hello!!  Sorry it's been so long since I posted.  We went on vacation and it's taken me a bit to jump back into my daily routine.  But I'm back and ready to get ya all caught up on what's been happening over here :)

Chaycers went to a birthday party at a petting zoo a few weekends ago.  He had a fun time feeding all the animals.  Although those goats can be little stinkers!  One of them grabbed his bag of food and ate the entire thing!!  I couldn't believe he ate the paper bag...silly goat.  

Feeding the goats

He liked it!

Peacocks are so pretty.  They even had a leucistic peacock...kinda like an albino, but has dark eyes.  

I thought this golden red pheasant was cute.

More goats to feed :)

Chayce and Ash are my super snugglers.  They love to wrap their legs around mine and just get as close and cozy as possible.  I love it!  Here they are snuggling together...makes my heart smile :)

See...the leg wrapping!  And Ash doesn't mind a bit :)

We had a garage sale in the middle of July.  I had been putting stuff aside for the last year to sell, but I also knew I needed to take a closer look at all of our stuff.  So I took a week and went through everything!  It felt great to declutter and reorganize.  Man did we have a lot of stuff to sell!  Honestly it was a little embarrassing.  Just so many toys and games...way too many for three little boys to play with.  It felt soooo good to get rid of a bunch of stuff.  And of course we didn't sell everything, but instead of bringing it back in the house we gave it all (minus one small box - I let the boys take one last look at what was left and if it fit in the box they could keep it) to some families at Chris's work.  He loaded up his truck and when he delivered it to them they were so grateful.  Made us both happy to be helping them out :)  

Here's half the driveway full of stuff.

The kids were such troopers during the sale.  One day they found this teeny tiny frog.  

Here he is in Ash's hand...look how little he is!

Ash liked him a lot!

Such a cutie!!  

Trip to the zoo

I took the boys to Brookfield Zoo last Saturday.  We didn't have any baseball games so, our weekend was totally open which was nice for a change.  And since we have a zoo membership it was free to spend a few hours there.  I packed us some lunch and snacks and lots of water and we were off.  It was sooo nice out!  Perfect day for being out and about.  

I was looking forward to showing Ash the animals because he loves to read about them in books.  He would get excited and point to them when he saw them which was cute.  And he really liked when the dolphin would swim by.  There was a baby bison born the night before so, we got to see him which was kinda cool.  Here are a few pics of our trip...

We saw lots and lots of geese families.  

And quite a few peacocks!  Here's Ash chasing one :)

We watched this polar bear walk around and around his pool for like 5 minutes.  

Ash watching the polar bear.

Sliding at the park...he loved it!

Chaycers and Vann just before we left the zoo.  Cute boys!

Okay so the zoo.  I finally decided I'm done going there.  Yes we had a really nice trip.  Yes the kids enjoyed it.  But I have such a hard time looking at the animals all cooped up.  This has bothered me since the first time I went to the zoo many years ago.  So, I finally decided that's enough.  I'm done going there.  I told Chris we can take Ash when he's a little older, but that's it.  He said that's cool.  And the boys are okay with it too.  How do you feel about going to the zoo?  Do you love it or does it bother you too?  

Zoo Time

I didn't have any daycare kiddos on Friday so, I decided to take the boys to the zoo.  We met Paige and her boys there.  It was a fun time!  The weather was perfect for it and it wasn't very busy so, it worked out great.  

Vann and Chayce

Sweet Baby Ash

There were peacocks everywhere!  Just walking around...not bothered by people at all.   

We packed a picnic lunch and ended up eating it by the bison.  There were also lots of peacocks, geese, ducks and other little birds walking around.  It was fun!  One gross thing did happen though.  A few bison came right up to the fence where we were sitting and one started peeing.  No big deal.  Except that the bison behind him drank it!  I'm talking while he was peeing...he licked at it like it was a water fountain. 

After we ate the kids played at the park.  Ash tried his best to climb up this little wall.  

At one point he had himself pushed up so, no feet were on the ground, but I was worried he would fall so, I didn't get a picture.  

Chayce and Vann poking their heads through the animal wall before we headed home.

Juggler, Zoo and Fire Truck

We went to the library Wednesday night for a fun free event.  It was a juggling story teller.  He was great!  He kept the kids enthralled for an hour easily.  He had them interested and involved with his juggling, miming, silly voices and actions while he told his stories.  

Linda's in the stripes, next is Viv's blond lil' head, Vann's in red and Chayce is in blue next to him.

We decided last minute to go to the Brookfield Zoo yesterday and I'm so glad we did!  The weather was perfect, the kids enjoyed getting out of the house, and I got to chat with my friend, Donna, a bit.  It was a nice day!  I forgot to snap a pic of Ash, but he did great there...just relaxed in the stroller the whole time :)

Vann, Chayce and Nick learning about a leopard skull.

Nick is a little younger than Vann, but he's like a foot taller!  

Checking out the dinosaur

The firemen stopped by our new neighbors house last night to check a possible gas leak...turns out everything was fine...and the boys got to explore the fire truck!  The fireman made Chris get in the pic with baby Ash...he was thrilled, you know how much he loves photos.  Where's Chayce you ask??  He wasn't feeling a picture so, I didn't force him.  He was tired after our zoo outing so, he wasn't quite himself.  

Ash's first picture with a fire truck!

So, these jammies are from when Vann was a baby and they are my fav!  I should see if I have a pic of all three boys in them...I bet I do...it'd be fun to compare their cute little selves :)

He likes looking out the window in the basement.  Especially when Molly is out going potty.  He really gets jabbering then!

My sweet baby :)  

Cosley Zoo

I took the kiddos to a little zoo not too far from us this morning...Cosley Zoo.  They have ducks, cows, pigs, horses, owls, llamas, raccoons, deer, stuff like that.  It's great because we can walk through the whole thing it like an hour and then sit down and have a picnic lunch before heading home.  I was a little bummed because part of the zoo was under construction so, there weren't quite as many animals to see.  But the kids had fun and we all enjoyed ourselves so, that's all that matters.  

Looking at some ducks

Chayce was being a stinker...

He's trying not to smile...Mia's not paying attention either...

Chayce, Vann, Nate and Mia

So, that was our fun this morning.  Now that all the little kids are taking a nap, I'm gonna go relax with the big kids.  I was up later than normal last night because a bunch of my girlfriends got together for some yummy food and lots of chit chat.  It was so nice to get out and spend some time with all of them!  But I am a bit tired so, I think I'm gonna kick my feet up for like an hour and rest.  Hope you're having a great day!