Sunday, June 12, 2011

Summertime fun!

Summer fun has begun!
The Rousehouse is in full summer mode;
sleeping late, playing hard, having fun!

Today was a beautiful day so we decided
to head out to the DSM Zoo.
There was a special Dinosaur Exhibit
going on and Avery loves dinosaurs.
As we were walking through the zoo,
reading the "Dinofacts" and collecting
stickers for the Dinosaur scavenger hunt,
Avery kept saying (to anyone who would listen)
"I'm a Dinosaur Expert!"  Too cute!!

This trip was special and sad for a couple of reasons.
1. All big kids. So crazy!  All I had with me
was my bag with 1 water bottle and a camera!
2. Again, big kids.  I noticed a few changes from even
just last year.  ~ No one wanted to feed the animals,
not even the fish.  Who doesn't want to feed the fish?!?!
~ We spent 1/2 as much time on the playset as last year.
~ Claire was "too cool" for some of my pictures.
~ Claire spent most of her time reading all the info at the exhibits
instead of actually looking at the animals.  Not a bad thing,
just a big girl thing.
3. My kids.  We still had a great time! Even though they're
growing up and maybe don't want to do all the
same things they've done in the past, they're still my girls.
They still loved the rope bridge, the giraffes and the ice cream stand!
They still ran around, played tag, picked on each other,
helped each other and occasionally grabbed my hand
for a brief moment, just to make sure I was still there.

My girls ~ 2011

My girls ~ 2010

My girls ~ 2011

My girls ~ 2010

Avery, the Dinosaur expert, with her Diego hat!

Avery loved the dinosaurs, until they roared.
Then she was outta there!

Despite being a little scared, she couldn't resist getting
up close to her favorite dino, "T-asaurus Rex" as she calls him.
We spent quite a bit of time talking to and watching Rex.

We all agreed, cycle of life or not, this was gross!

I had to get a shot of Claire, doing what she loves the most ~

All three girls got to feed the giraffes.  I was very impressed
that they each did such a great job.  Avery was so
proud of herself and "her giraffe".  Ella walked right up
and fed this one like she did it everyday!

We are blessed to have so many fun and educational things
to do around here.  I love getting to go out and enjoy
life with my 3 sweet, beautiful girls!

Enjoy ~