Monkeys at the Zoo!

We took another jaunt with our friends the Lindleys (minus Canyon who was making sure security was tight and right at the TX/OU game) to the Dallas Zoo. This time, Brian was able to join us. We were so excited to show him the Giants of the Savanna exhibit. The weather was gorgeous and breezy with no humidity. Perfect weather. The kids had a blast but the adults (3 to be exact) were most definitely outnumbered. Although the experience was exhausting, we most definitely had a blast.

Sigh and Swoon.

Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails...

and I think they forgot to add bugs to that list too. Ethan's teacher told me that he has been hanging out with his little friend Madison at school and they catch bugs, lizards, geckos etc. during recess. Well, my child has been stuffing them into his pockets. Ew. I'm just grateful she found them before I did laundry. Double ew. Anyway, he collected a gecko, without my knowledge, as we were coming in from being out all day. I couldn't figure out why he was so quiet and busy in his room. I went in to check on him and lo and behold, he was clearing out his bug catcher to keep his "findings". Yeah, below is what he caught.

Yes, that would be three geckos and a grasshopper in his bug catcher. I wonder if God is giggling at me being so grossed out. He knows that I get the heebie-jeebies from this kind of thing. *shivers* Ugh.
However, this face is what makes it all worth the grody-ness that I deal with daily.

What I love about Sundays...

What have I done?!!?!?!

For some unknown reason, about three weeks ago, I decided to go back to school for my Master's degree. I love learning and I think education is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself. It doesn't mean everyone should attend college but, I do think they should continue a life-long learning of their own accord. I tried to think of the reasons I should NOT go and man, I could come up with a lot. What I failed to see were the reasons why I SHOULD. Well, the school district made me an offer I could not refuse. It is an amazing deal and I would be stupid not to take it.
You know, the funny thing is, I used to hate the first day of school. The nerves, the waiting and wondering, the meeting of the teacher, the unknown...all of it frightened me.
I've often wondered why I picked the teaching profession. Ha! Yeah, weird. I do know that after I got over the inital shock of the first days of school, I realized how much I loved being in class learning. The more difficult the material is/was, the better. I'm not sadistic, I just love the idea that I can use my brain to make a positive impact on others. This time, it will be different. I am nervous, excited, and ready to do this. I have retired my My Little Pony Lunchbox, however, I do have the same desire to see where the next three years will take me. I want my boys to see that not only am I a mom, wife, and a teacher, but I am also a person with goals and achievements. I hope to instill an example of a life-long love of education in them, as well. Aside from that, I want to be the first person in my family to graduate with a Master's degree. I'm ready, but those butterflies in the pit of my stomach sure are going crazy.

Waco Zoo and the Giggles

Sounds like a band comprised of Muppet characters, doesn't it? :) We actually drove the 1.5 hours to Waco to go to the Cameron Park Zoo. We heard it was a pretty nice zoo and was fairly new (built in 1993). We had fun. Honestly, we agreed Tyler has a better zoo. Don't get me wrong, we still had a wonderful time and enjoyed the day walking around. On our way home, we had a chance to stop at Fazoli's which I LOVE. I haven't eaten there since the last time we were in Lubbock. I swear we need one here. On our way home we ended up taking the boys to Collin Street Bakery. That was probably the highlight of their trip because, well, what kid doesn't love walking down a long case of freshly baked cookies while trying to decide which one or ones to choose?
It was a bit of a drive but, the boys are wonderful travelers and can hold their own on any length of a car trip. For this, we are blessed. However, we are all so glad to be home.


Very Grouchy Butterfly


They posed behind the ladybug boardsfor posterity. Poor kids.


Look, Mama. It's a wahfall! (read: Waterfall)







The best cookies...ever!

Under the Sea...sorta

I finally got up off my duff and developed the film from our waterproof camera we purchased in Florida. Yeah, I have NO idea how we managed without digital photography "back in the day" because this was a pain. However, I could not resist posting a few of the pictures from Discovery Cove. Enjoy!


My little Jacques Cousteau



He's got the hang of this snorkeling thing now.






Yeah, it's a shark. Yeah, it's real.