Day at the Zoo

March Merrill-Mommy date

Merrill and I headed to the zoo yesterday morning for our March date.  We decided to go early to take advantage of free carousel rides and free admission to the children's zoo (both are free the first hour that the zoo is open -- 9 -10 a.m.).  We also hoped to be able to take advantage of close and free parking if we got there early enough (okay, those were my decisions, not Merrill's, but I'm pretty sure she was happy with them and agreed with me ;) ).  We lucked out and were able to get a street spot right in front of the entrance as someone else pulled out.  Yay!  It's always good when we can make these dates as budget-friendly as possible!

We were the first ones on the carousel and our first ride (of two) was just us!

second time around -- this time on a Ne Ne Goose

The Children's zoo was a highlight for Merrill.  She spent a lot of time on the playground and in the indoor area (which I didn't get any pictures of...).  There were lots of cute animals to see and lots of things to climb on.  Inside we saw bunnies and guinea pigs and a hedgehog up close!  I have to say, the hedgehog might have been my favorite animal.  Wendy was incredibly cute and really did all of the children's book illustrations of hedgehogs I've ever seen justice.  I just couldn't get over it.  (and obviously, still can't!)

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture because Wendy was either being held by a docent or in her box and I just couldn't get a good shot.

As tall as a River Otter!

The one animal that Merrill really wanted to see was the elephant, so after the Children's Zoo we headed over to the River's Edge to see if the elephants were out.  It seems like we almost never make our way to this area of the zoo when we visit, so it was good to make it a priority.  And, lucky for us, several of the animals were out and about!  We saw the hippos lazing in the water, the rhino, hyenas, a cheetah AND the elephants!  We even saw one squirt water with his trunk (Merrill will tell you he/she squirted the water at her!) and one throw a rock into the water.  Merrill was mesmerized and because it was a slightly chilly Saturday morning, we didn't have to share the viewing space with many (sometimes any) other people. 

 

following animal prints to the elephants.  This zoo really is awesome.  

that's a rhinoceros back there

  

hyenas

 

We even had time (and the money we would have spent on parking) for a quick lunch after seeing all of the River animals.  What a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

Break-Through

No, I haven't had any great epiphany's on the meaning of life or anything, but Teddy's first tooth did break through on Friday.  An event worth remembering for sentimental mamas.  The bottom left tooth is now clearly visible -- if you look closely when his mouth is wide open... and the bottom right is nearly through.  He might have a toothy grin for Easter!

Egged

I took the kids to "egg" their first house today.  Gotta teach them young, right?!  Except we didn't use raw eggs, we used plastic Easter eggs filled with small, fun gifts.  And we didn't throw the eggs at the house, we placed them around the patio.  We had fun over the past couple of days collecting all of the gifts, stuffing the eggs, making cookies, etc. in preparation and we were all very eager to sneak over to our friends' house today while they were at work/school to play our trick on them.  (the dogs were a little anxious to see us, but they eventually accepted that we were not there to do harm :) ).  We made the egg placement pretty obvious and left the basket on their back stoop since they work and won't be home until this evening.  I didn't want them to be hunting around the yard for eggs in the dark on a work/school night -- that might have pushed the joke into obnoxious territory ;).  Sometimes it's fun to be a kid and do something silly for someone else just because.  And I think it's a good lesson to learn that "tricks" and "pranks" can be kind.  Hopefully these are the kinds of pranks my kids continue to pull throughout their childhood and adolescence (and hopefully they will let me join in on the fun now and then!). 

7-months

I've got a lot of updating to do on Teddy, pictures saved to post from the past month, etc., but I just want it on the record that he is officially pulling up to standing.  On his own.  Usually when I am on the other side of the room.  I am not ready for this! 

Millie Date

Yesterday was the day for my next monthly date with Millie.  It was supposed to be a road trip to a nearby town.  We were going to go see the Meramac Caverns, but Millie seemed kind of apprehensive about it.  I think she was afraid she might miss out on the leprechaun fun and was wary about going too far.  Or she didn't want to miss out on any Mommy time.  She seemed to just want to do something small and was mostly concerned about going to Red Mango.  So I suggested we just go the bookstore like I did with Merrill and then go to Red Mango and she was more than happy with that.  Millie also really wanted to take pictures, so we took our old camera and Millie took a bunch of the pictures on her own.  

Look - an actual bookstore!

Looking at books - at first Millie wanted to get a Fancy Nancy book - but I steered her away from those a bit since we have read every single one of them.  

I think the selection was a little overwhelming and Millie wanted to just grab a pile and go sit down like a a the library.  It didn't take us too long to find something though.  Millie had gotten a couple of the American Girl books recently and really enjoys them.  Then we found some American Girl mystery books - the problem then was to narrow it down to just a couple!!!!   We picked out 2 Rebecca books and walked in the mall for a bit and then found spot to sit for a little bit and read.  We also picked up some makeup for Mommy, at which point Millie said "Dad, people might think you are going to wear the makeup!!!!!"  She also had informed me the night before (and today) that boys smell.  So maybe a trip to Sephora wasn't such a bad idea...  The sass on this kid, let me tell ya...

These are Millie-eye view shots of some of the stores.  You can tell she likes fancy things!!

St. Paddy's Day Accessories - we also got some headbands for her and Merrill

Enjoying some Red Mango!  Millie opted for Cake Batter and Strawberry Milkshake (with sprinkles).

Reading some more at Red Mango.

It was a fairly short and low key date but very nice all the same.  It was rainy and Millie had been having a bit of a rough day so it was good to get out of the house for a bit.  I always like to share books with Millie - she just loves to sit and look and books and has an almost insatiable appetite for being read to.  These books are probably a bit old for her but she loves the stories and really pays attention.  I could not think of anything better to spend time and money on (and she didn't need to twist my arm much for the ice cream either...)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

After the excitement of O'Reily's visit, we still had the rest of the day to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  So, we got in touch with our Irish roots (watered down as they may be...). We did some Irish dancing, listened to some Irish music, ate Shamrock shaped sandwiches for lunch, baked zucchini cookies and had an impromtu gathering with my parents and LoLo's family with Irish cheese, Irish beer (for the boys), rainbow painting, and pizza.  All-in-all a great way to spend a Sunday.

 playing ring-around-the-rosie

 

all of our little leprechauns :)

 token naked baby at a party