Here...Kitty Kitty

Today we went to the zoo. We needed to get out of the house and run off some energy, and it was finally sunny. I figured some of the animals would not be on display, but what I didn't know was how many.

You see our zoo is under major construction while we add the "Trails to Africa" exhibit. The Birmingham Zoo is going to be a national leader in the care and conservation of threatened elephants. This new area will be a mixed-species exhibit featuring elephant, red river hogs, giraffes, rhinos, wildebeest, impala, kudu, zebras and ostriches (many of the animals that Steve and I saw on our African safari 5 years ago). I really enjoy visiting the zoo with my children, and can't wait for it to be completed! Since they are just in the land clearing stage right now, I assume it will unfortunately be another year before it is finished.

Until then, we will continue to visit the sea lions, primates and large cats. As you can see from these photos, they do NOT scare my kids. In fact, they like to get up real close to the glass and "scare" the tigers. Both of them were laughing so hard every time the tiger came to the window. And truth be told, I think the tiger liked the attention because the window was covered in slobber due to him licking it.

Princess Bennett

Today is a "dance day", and as soon as Bennett wakes up she is eager to put on her outfit. When she was pulling together her dance clothes, she grabbed her tiara to wear. To really show it off, I put her hair up in a bun. She then practiced some of her moves for me. I thought she looked like a little princess, so I had to share some of the photos.

Preston's First Haircut

We have been watching Preston's hair grow slowly into a mullet, so it was time to get it cut. We debated about where to take him for the "first time," and ultimately decided to take him to Steve's barber shop. That way he can take Preston with him whenever he needs a cut.

We decided to go early this morning, before it got too crowded. We were a little worried about how he would do, but it is amazing what a sucker can do for that child. He sat on Steve's lap for the experience and did really well.

The first two photos are his "before" shots. The only time he got a little freaked out was when Jill brushed his bangs forward and cut them. I guess he didn't like to see the scissors that close to his face (and who can blame him?). In order to make him calm down and quit crying, we gave him another sucker and he was all better (nothing like being double fisted)!

Busy Bees....

Ok it is about noon as I am writing this, and I just want to give you summary of what we have done so far today:

5:30 - Steve and I awoke

6:30 - Bennett & Preston awoke, then watched a little of a cartoon

7:00 - Both kids had light breakfast while Steve and I enjoyed our coffee

7:10 - Started 1st load of laundry, and put away laundry from last night's load

7:30 - Vacuumed first floor

7:45 - Washed bottles and sippy cups and started dishwasher

8:30 - Got dressed for breakfast out

9:00 - Ate yummy breakfast at Chappy's

10:00 - Preston had his FIRST haircut (read next blog)

10:45 - Bought liquor at ABC Store

10:50 - Bought lock for pantry (read previous blogs about my frustration with Pres)

10:55 - While driving home we spotted 3 ponies and stopped so the kids could pet them

11:15 - Got home and turned on shower so we could get the hair off of all us

11:16 - Preston entered shower fully clothed while we weren't watching (serves us right...)

11:20 - Showered

11:45 - Bennett painted and I unloaded dishwasher, while Steve drilled the pantry door (Preston helped)

12:15 - I began writing this blog, while the kids are running wild

Perfect Afternoon!

Today I enjoyed a delightful afternoon! Steve picked up the kids from school for me while I went shopping in peace. Not only was it relaxing, but I found a couple of things.

When I got home I expected both kids to be fast asleep, but they were both up (sigh...). Preston had fallen asleep during his lunch at school, so he was wide awake! Bennett was waiting for me, so I put her down, wrapped Pres up and we went for a walk with Spencer. It was sunny, yet a little cool...perfect weather to be outside exercising.

I was hoping Preston would fall asleep, but he took in the scenery, sang and babbled the whole time. I tell you...my little guy is a piece of work. As you might notice in the photo, he has a fat lip and a cut on his eye. He got each of them on the same day, but from two separate accidents. There is no doubt in my mind that he is going to make me completely gray by the time I turn 40!

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Since Bennett was about one year old, we have been saying prayers with her. Rather than saying the "Lord's Prayer" with her, we decided to choose a shorter child's prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

Should I die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take

For the past month or so she has been able to half recite it on her own. And I must admit, it is amongst the sweetest words spoken from her. She still gets tripped up some, forgetting the third line half the time, and always saying "soul to keep" at the end of both stances, but she almost has it.