Zoo Trip

Sam was determined to go to the zoo while he was on vacation. I like the zoo, too, but Sam is a zoo fan through and through. Here are our pictures from the day. I was tired from my trip to Chicago and didn't have the motivation to take alot of pictures.

Jack and Ben in the van on the way. We were stuck in a traffic jam due to a fender-bender and what is more entertaining than taking pictures in the car?













At a stand-still, why not take a picture of the Arch? The view from the interstate.
I can't remember what these little things were called, but I thought they were precious how they snuggled together.

Jack posing with the artificial snake.

I believe this is at the Elephant display.

Poor elephants just paced around - the same path over and over.

He just doesn't look happy. But look at that enormous poop on the ground (how can you not be happy about that?)

A different elephant. She had a toy up on this tree that she would stop and play with. Bless her.

At the Seal fountain close to the entrance.

Mr. Lion looks like he has alot of stress in his life.

Jack enjoying his dip-n-dots at the end of our day.

Ben and his crazy milk-drinking (look at it all over his face).

Ben also enjoyed a cheese sandwich with his milk. It was a fun trip. We're going again with Jack's preschool class next Friday. Oh joy.

Lexington - Misc. pictures

Once again, I'm slacking on the blog. Sam's been on vacation and I haven't been on the computer much at all. Here are the last of the Lexington trip pictures.


Nate and Ben getting ready to open gifts for their birthdays. They are one day apart.
The three bigger boys waiting patiently

Aunt Jen and Memom with Ben and Jack

Memom made a vanilla cake for Ben since he didn't like the chocolate one I made. It went a little better.

Jack and Nicholas loved having icing all over their mouth. According to them, it was the funniest thing in the world.

Nicholas

Madison, Ben and Keightley watching the other kids play outside.

I had forgotten...

I had forgot how hard it is to have a pre-toddler. Ben wants to eat dog food, get into the toilet, eat landscaping dirt and rocks. He's also at a stage where playing with anything BUT a toy is much more fun. These days, I'm worn out after breakfast!

Lexington - Ben Loves Keightley

. . . or maybe I should say, he loves to bother Keightley. Keightley is settled down with his bone to chew and here comes Ben. This entire exchange between them was so cute.

Getting on his level a little better -makes for a better view

Back to watching closely and this is where Keightley had enough of baby stalking.

Ben watching Keightley move to the other side of the living room. What to do...what to do...

Keep stalking the dog of course.

Aaahhhh. This is a good spot, too.

A Jack Story

Thursday night I had a neighbor and her two boys over for pizza. Sam was working late and her husband was out of town. We do this often. The boys are always so busy. The house was understandably a mess with toys, dishes from dinner and I was exhausted. Sam calls around 8pm to tell me he's finally on his way home. I have Ben in bed and I start cleaning up while we're on the phone. I casually say to Sam, "I've got a huge mess to clean up." Jack is snuggled on the couch in his pj's with a snack - watchin' a show before bed. He heard me on the phone, gets up and puts his snack in the kitchen and comes in the living room and starts to help me clean. I was so taken back by it and kept thanking him and praising him. He said, "we're a team!", just so grown-up like and as if he wouldn't have it any other way. He's so sweet. He even asked me, "what else needs done?". Ahhh, what a guy.

Fast forward three hours and he throws up all over his bedroom floor. I love parenthood.

Lexington - Monkey Joe's

We have a Monkey Joe's here in Illinois but we have never been. I had this vision of a dirty jumping place that was germ-infested (but that is not why we haven't been. I mean we've been to plenty of germ-infested McDonald's play land's out of pure convenience). My fantasy could not have been more wrong. Monkey Joe's was clean and well organized. I loved it. They even advertise what type of sanitizer they use to clean the jumpers. I was impressed - being the germ-a-phobe that I am.

There's even an area for little jumpers. There was a constant challenge keeping the over 3 year crowd out, but they have referee's for that.
Aunt Neen and the boys in line.
Ben was fine if he was close to me. He seldom ventured too far.

Jack and Madison

Madison in action

Memom taking a turn with Ben.

Jack climbing the big ladder.

Lauren had a blast. This girl can have a good time wherever she is.

Nicholas and Jack jumping and clearly having too much fun.

More jumping.

Chit-chatting and holding Ben since he was missing his nap.

Lauren and Ben sitting and watching all the other under-3-year-olds.

More of Lauren and Ben.

Getting our shoes on to head home.