A Day Well Spent

Due to Parent/Teacher conferences Caden didn't have school Monday, Tuesday or Today. So on Tuesday we decided to try to meet up with some friends from school to go to the Zoo. Our target was to get there around 9, but my kiddos made it almost impossible to get out the door.

Instead we ended up getting there around 11. We only got to see Kim & Brooklyn for a few minutes before they headed out. We thought we were going to be solo for the day, but shortly afterwards we ran into Killion. Caden was excited to see his old friend (from his 'other' school)

We had a great time (minus Caden falling and scraping his knees only to scream like a girl until some nice boy with a first-aid kit attached to his belt offerred him some bandaids), and the animals were surprisingly cooperative. It has to be this wonderful weather we are having. I LOVE Arizona in the Fall!

The Zoo

Somehow I convinced myself that it would be a great idea to go to the zoo (twice in the past two weeks...crazy, I know.) Besides it being incredibly hot, we managed to have quite a good time.

Our first trip ran into lunch time. I didn't have time to pack anything before we had left the house so I opted for the overly priced concessions available. I walked up to the window, and tried to decide what was worth paying for. I finally opted for a small pizza. I figured it would at least tie us over until we got home. I placed my order, and chatted with the employee for a minute. She told me it would take about 5 minutes before it would be ready.

I started to push the stroller over to some picnic tables when she turned around and handed me two souvenir cups for the kids! They were filled with Icee's, and the best thing about it is they are good for FREE refills of fountain drinks throughout the zoo for the life of the cup! I was shocked that she just GAVE them to me! I got the kids settled, and went to pick up the pizza. That is when she handed me two kids meals, each with a hot dog, animal crackers, and a rice crispie treat!!! It was one of the nicest things ever! A meal that would have easily cost us $20-$30 only cost me $8!

Sydney had a panic attack while we were eating. The tables we were at were right by a pond/lake. So there were alot of ducks and birds around. These little fellows were obviously used to alot of visitors because they weren't afraid of us at all. In fact they got quite close...too close for comfort for our little Sydney. Some of the birds would just land with their mouths open. I felt bad for Syd, but had to laugh at the same time. She insisted on sitting on my lap, screaming at the top of her lungs, and then started tossing all sorts of her food to try to get them away. My poor kids are so pet deprived...they just don't know how to deal! :)

We even made a stop at the splash pad that they have within the zoo. Sydney was a little hesitant at first, but was able to have a bit of fun in the water. I think I need to send them outside in the sprinklers more often...they aren't too big on getting water in their face. Caden barely even got wet. Hopefully he will get braver as the summer goes by.

So even though it is hotter than hot...you can still have fun at the zoo. They open at 7 am, and since we have a membership, we can go for just a few hours, and still have lots of fun! As a bonus...it totally wears them out! If anyone is brave enough to go...just let me know...and we can meet you there!

Fun at the Zoo!

I had gotten a zoo membership earlier this year. Since our summers here are sooooo hot we haven't been there for a while. Julie ended up getting a membership too, and the membership she has is big enough that our friend, Heather can come too! We are hoping to be able to get alot of use out of it, and go possibly once a week. We thought it would be fun to go this Thursday. Her oldest, Mason, was out of school for Fall Break and the weather here has been cooling off. So we planned on it last week.

When we arrived it was if everyone else had the same plan. I had never seen the parking lot that packed! Thank goodness it isn't like Disneyland where you have to wait to get on rides, but there was plenty of people there. It also happened to be one of the hottest days this week (104 - yuck) Despite it being hot and crowded...the kids still had alot of fun. I am really looking forward to going more often.

Here is the clan...Easton, Jayden, Tanner, Gemma, Mason, Sydney, and Caden (doing what he does best...avoiding the camera)

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears...oh my!

Yesterday, I was selected to participate in a study, and went to go pick up the product that I would be using. Delve is located down the street from the Phoenix Zoo so I thought that we would go there while we were there. It was so much fun...I just wish that I would have brought my camera!!! The last couple of times that we have done things, I have forgotten it and have missed out on some great pictures!

I actually ended up getting a membership. I had gotten one a few years ago, but when the renewal came up I just let it expire. Now that Sydney is a little older she can really appreciate the fun that comes with visiting the zoo. It was a little hot, but not too bad. The zoo even has a little water area that the kids can play in. Caden didn't want play in the water this time, but hopefully he will in the future.

We spent a good part of the day there, and got lots of exercise walking all over the zoo. I really am looking forward to going there more often. I know it sounds crazy here in AZ where it gets so hot, but as long as we keep hydrated we can have alot of fun. It was so fun to see how excited they both were when they found the animal in each exhibit. It was like playing "I Spy".
We didn't get to see every animal, but we did see a fair share of them. It will be something to look forward to.

We also bought a Family Season Swim pass for the local pool. My kids have always been a little leery of the water, but with alot more exposure I hope they will like it a little more. We have signed up for swim lessons so they will be spending alot of time in the water! Maybe this year I will actually get a tan! I know it is not the best for you, but I look so much better with a tint. :)

I am trying to get some sort of routine down for me and the kids. I have decided that we really need to go do 'something' each day. You see, I am pretty boring. Besides getting out of the house to go the gym...we pretty much stay home. I have come to the conclusion that the reason why my house always seems like a train wreck is because we are home ALL THE TIME. I want to set something up so the kids always know that " Hey its Monday! We are going to _____ today. I figured we could go to the library, swimming, zoo. I am trying to think of other things, but would like to have one specific place where we will go each day. I figure that if we spend some time each day out of the house...it will make it a little bit more manageable.

What are some fun things that you do with your kids?