Happy Birthday at the Zoo!

For Mark's big 31st birthday, we headed to the zoo. Nothing like a little family fun to remind you that your birthday celebrations have changed! In reality, Mark loves a zoo, and it is always nice to be able to share some of Anna's firsts with Daddy. (And yes, if you're calculating, Mark's birthday was several weeks ago... oops). We ended up choosing the Colombia Zoo since the weather was more favorable and we wanted Anna to be able to see the animals a little closer. The Asheboro Zoo is closest to us in distance, but we had both been to that particular zoo and knew that the animals could be very far away or not even visible... which is great for animal rights and such, but terrible for toddlers who just want to see a lion.

Since Robert just posted some awesome photos of their family zoo trip, try not to be disappointed by my poor selection. All I could get was the back of Anna's head for the most part... posing with animals must be more of a four year old thing.

Despite bringing a stroller, Daddy's shoulders were the preferred method of transportation.

She liked the tiger, I promise!

This picture just oozes excitement, huh? Haha...

Waving at a giant tortise!

On Daddy's back, watching elephants!

Smiles for the giraffes!

We paid for some overpriced lettuce and Anna and Daddy got to feed the giraffes!

Kids are fearless...

Giraffe snuggles are the best!

I wanna see that goat!

Little Mama

Anna Kate has slowly increased her love for her baby dolls and stuffed animals. If you've been around us, you know about "Baby Sven" who is well loved and usually without clothes. She has also entered a new stage of wanting to take a toy (stuffed animal, doll, figurine) with her where ever we go. Even if it is just downstairs. Every morning it is, "Mommy, can _______ come downstairs with us?!" and then she will tote that particular item around all day. Side story, she begged me to take Elmo into the Y one day. I usually say no to her, figuring a new and "owned" toy might cause some raucous in child care, but I figured we could try it once as I had seen lots of other children enter with toys (namely the little girl the day prior who had an awesome buffalo with her, to which Anna asked "what is that?" and then "whyyyyy?"). Also we have a lot of Elmos. If one disappeared we wouldn't be taking a huge loss. Turns out, Anna supposedly does really well when she has something from home with her. They said she was overall much more happy go lucky and played with other children. Way to go Elmo!

Long story, here's some photos. This day, I was trying to wear Anna out and have her go for a walk before her nap (spoiler, it didn't work). She wanted to take her babies, and Elmo, so I grabbed the baby doll stroller and we headed out. We made it to the top of the driveway. But I got some cute photos!

All ready to take her babies for a walk!

Gotta stop and check on everybody!

And, we are off!

The. End.

Mommy Fun Day!

Now that school is back in session, summer is almost over, and everyone seems to be busier, Anna and I have been trying to have some fun outings! Sometimes it is just a trip to Discovery Place Kids or the library, but this particular day, I decided to take advantage of Anna's love of Clifford books and head to the Imaginon Library in uptown Charlotte. I was surprised when I checked the drive time and it was only 35 minutes, which is about what we used to have to drive from our old house to get anywhere fun! Anna loves libraries, and now she calls this one the "museum library with Clifford". It was a great outing!

We also got to see the Charlotte Lynx! Big day!

We were a little early, so we explored outside while we waited!

Cutie!

With her bud, Clifford. She couldn't be bothered to sit still long enough to smile for a photo.

Driving the ferry to Birdwell Island! (side note, it is adorable when she says "Birdwell Island")

Not part of the exhibit, but this transportation lover was excited about it!

We had packed a lunch, so we headed over to the airport overlook to see the airplanes take off while we ate!

It was hot, so we stayed in the car. Anna played with a girl in the car beside us and loved sitting in the front seat!

Splash Pad! And Other Fun!

While Anna Kate loves water, she has never been a fan of the splash pad. I don't know if it is the element of surprise, the fact she manages to fall every time she is at one, or just that it isn't water you swim in, but she has never been terribly excited about them. She may tell you she wants to go play at the splash pad, but she really means she wants to sit and watch the other kids play in the splash pad. For some reason, one day the other week, this changed, and she played! A little bit- she still doesn't like the larger elements, but she was excited about the smaller water features!

The bucket helped. Next summer we will bring some things to play in the water with.

Check out that face. You know what she was doing? Coming at Mommy to throw water on her!

And just because I'm finally getting some pictures off of my phone, here are some other gems!

Anna posing beside her chalk friend, Anna.

Finally got the courage to get out the paints Aunt Laura got Anna for Christmas... she loves them! And is only minimally messy :)

Could her concentration be any cuter?!

Blueberries at Nanny and Paw's taste best right off of the bush!

Helping Mommy wash the car! By staying out of the way and washing her "car" and rubber ducky!