Zoo Day

We got a free family pass from the library to visit Zoo Atlanta and chose to do so yesterday.  It was a beautiful and breezy day--perfect for Molly's first time at a real zoo!  The bulk of my time right now is being spent on all the things I want to get done around the house before Jack gets here THIS WEEK, so while this post is heavy on pics it's light on narration...the only way I could crank it out...

First stop...the flamingos!

Next we ran into some zookeepers wielding a snake and Molly was fascinated.  She asked to touch it but they weren't allowing that.

We got a great view of the elephant.  She was in her "farm" (Molly called the elephant barn a farm)

She was quite fond of the toucan and enjoyed watching it eat grapes.

So many of our zoo pictures are of the back of Molly's head but this one I told her to show me how happy she was to see the giraffes:

Molly's most anticipated animal was the zebra.  In the end it did not end up being her favorite:

Here we're supposed to be looking at the gorillas but there was a plane flying over with a banner so it won;)

Molly thought the baby gorilla was "so cute":

I think she's "so cute":

The orangutans:

Intently watching...something:

The red panda:

Um, this thing is found in Georgia...

Molly thought the reptiles were totally awesome...eww...and loved looking for each snake in its tank.  This one could totally eat her!:

Checking out the turtles:

The greatest part about the zoo was the free parking and the freedom to bring in your own food.  Coupled with our free tickets it was a FREE day of fun!  We ran into the picnic tables just in time for a nice long walking break for Mommy and a lovely lunch for all.  (My nose gets bigger every day I stay pregnant!):

Re-fueling:

Checking out the map after a potty break.  She was very intent on figuring out where she wanted to go next:)

Concentrating:

Again, I realize this is the back of her head but it represents our fun time watching the panda bat around his ball.  One of the highlights:):

Look at that sweet Joey!:

LOVE this!:

My favorite two marsupials:

Looking at the kangaroos:

Brushing the sheep:

She did not want to touch the goats, just this sheep:

Waiting to ride the carousel:

Totally uninterested in riding on one of the animals...sigh.  She just wanted to sit on the benches.  Oh well:

Pretty as a peacock:

We got home just in time to take a long family nap.  What a wonderful way to spend our last weekend pre-Jack!

Memorial Memories

Well, my eighth school year at Eastside finally came to an end last Friday.  The timing was just about perfect as I don't know if I could have spent another day at it out of sheer discomfort.  It's just easier being uncomfortable at home, ya know?!  

MiMi and Pop came in for a visit over the long weekend and that was perfect timing too!  They were just in time to help us cross many things off of our "Before Jack" list (it's real, on the wall, in the kitchen).  They worked from the time they arrived to the time they left and it was a HUGE needed and appreciated help.  They finished painting baseboards, putting the second coat on Molly's room, switching outlets and switch plates, completing a much needed under-sink repair in the kitchen, painting the fireplace, hauling off the old second fridge and setting up a new freezer in it's place--whew!  Makes me tired just typing it all out!

In true (as-of-late) fashion I didn't get the camera out much at all until the end of the visit.  But here's Molly proudly showing off MiMi's handiwork on the newly white fireplace.  Such a smooth, clean place to sit now!:

We intended to take our first dip in the pool for the season on Memorial Day but the rain came at the same time as we walked out to go so we had some rainy driveway fun instead:

This week has been busily spent getting ready for Jack and crossing many more things off the list.  We had our pre-op appointment (my due date is the 28th but I'm scheduled for a repeat C-section on the 21st of June) and the doctor estimated him to be about 8.5 pounds right now with 3 more weeks til delivery.  She said, very nonchalantly, that he'll probably be 10.5-11 pounds at birth.  I've never been more conflicted as far as wanting him here but needing him to hold off so I can get things ready.  I'm thankful for these days sans-school to prepare and even more thankful for these sweet hours I'm getting to spend with my baby girl before she grows up for good before my very eyes.  She's the best.  And she's ALL ABOUT her baby brother!  Kissing him, talking to him, rubbing him, telling me he's kicking her (when he's more still than he's been all day:), filling me in on all the plans she has as a big sister once he's here...  Looking forward to watching this all play out;)!

Sophi's 5th Birthday: Pink Pajama Pancake Party AND a Pizza Picnic in the Park

Say that 5 times fast:)  Sophi's 5th birthday happened right as school was ending and we were privileged to hang out with the big birthday girl not one, but two days in a row!

The first night was a pancake supper.  Pancakes (plain, chocolate chip, blueberry) and all the fixings!:

The favors were a hit!  Hula hoops and a mylar balloon picked especially for each birthday guest:

Because of the menu, candle-blowing was first on the agenda, after the special pancake decorating for the birthday girl:

One very happy almost 5-year-old:

 What a beautiful big girl:

With her best big brother and big sister:

Little sis and cousin looking on:

Poor girl fell asleep just waiting for everyone to finish so she could open her gifts:):

Lots of pink pajamas going on:

 Ninja star tutorials on the back porch with Uncle Ryan:

The next day was Sophi's "real" birthday so we met in the park after church for some pizza and play time:

 Maggi getting her swing on:

Rosy cheeks and static...both playground staples: 

On a mission:

The birthday girl and her sweet friend:

 Making the merry-go-round go round:

Happy birthday dear Sophi!  We had a blast celebrating with you:)