"Real LIfe"

After the events of the past few months, "real life" has been severely overlooked. Sure, the kids got to go hang out with grandparents, cousins, friends, etc., but I was not a part of it. Usually our summer consists of trips to our favorite beach park, the zoo (at least 4 times in the year by now), parks, picnics, swimming, etc. We headed into the last 2 weeks before school starts last week, so I have been attemting to cram in as many of these events as possible. Maybe it will make me feel more in control of my life? Perhaps not, but at least I will feel like I contributed to my kids' summer life :) Last week we went swimming at my parents' neighborhood pool...the kids had a great time. I have to admit it did feel prettty good after months of no baths (don't worry, I substituted with showers), or swimming privilages. Speaking of cramming, I had to do that to get into my swim suit! Here are some pics my mom took...

We planned a trip to the beach this last Monday....alas, Seattle weather set in and we were rained out. So, off to the library we went. That was fun, haha. Andrew had a great time, but Morgan and Tom were a little whiny...we have had a lot of this lately. End of summer attitudes are definitely here and the scheduled days need to set in.....

The next day, my sister and I were planning a trip to the local water park. Rain again, or so we thought. We decided to try Woodland Park zoo instead. The weather looked a little iffy, so we all brought jackets. Of course, with these conditions, the sun came out and it actually got a little warm. The kids had a great time feeding birds, holding butterflies, and eating ice cream. Morgan was happier than we've seen in a long time! She loved the animals and didn't want to leave. It was fun to be with the kids...I had a good time too, despite brief moments that my mind wandered, staring at a set of twin girls with curly hair go by. It is hard seeing others with the opportunity for insanity with twins that we lost...insert deep breath here. I was also painfully reminded my muscles have been stagnet for the last few months....ugh, I was stiff, but happy :) Here are a few, ha ha, pics I took...yes, I am obsessed with photos!

Micaela, Morgan, Andrew, Tom, and Connor...wild bunch o' kids!

Morgan loved the petting zoo with the bunnies and "dotes"

Morgan really likes "mingos" now that she saw this new exhibit

Tom likes the animal encounters they have around the zoo

Morgan isn't afraid of snakes or bugs...she really likes them

The 3 boys loved all the reptiles...especially the huge Boa Constrictor

Tom enjoyed watching the jaguar

Tom, Connor, and Andrew are hams! Andrew is making a face, "like I am drinking the blood" he said.

We have been taking pictures of our kids in this fox den since they were all in diapers...time flies when you are having fun!

Wow, I managed to catch all 5 of them at once...aren't they
cute?

Morgan and the gorilla have matching tongues :p What you can't see, and boy are you fortunate, is the gorilla the kids watched for a long time...she kept regurgitating her food and eating it out of her hand. YUM?! I didn't even watch so you shouldn't have to see it either! Apparently gorillas in captivity will do this sometimes because it makes the food taste sweeter the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, I think it was even the 6th time around....eeeewwwwwe!

Debbie gets a butterfly visitor

Micaela and Debbie

Connor was popular with the butterflies...he had 4 land on him

I caught this shot just as the bright orange butterfly left Andrew's back

Okay, not the most flattering of pics, but at least I am documented as being "there"

Andrew took feeding the birds very seriously :)

Micaela feeding the birds

Aunt Debbie gives Morgan a lift to feed a bird that refuses to get in her hand

Tom and Connor were stealing birds from each other Look! Tom got 2!
We "closed" the zoo down, ending our day at Zoomazium, an indoor play area. Morgan even got locked in...she was cracking us up trying to open these locked doors.

Maybe Andrew can help....
Morgan finally escaped and we headed for home...Tom and Morgan swing "Nye" together as they walk

Now "Nye" gets a piggy back ride from Morgan...they had a good day at the zoo

The zoo is fairly close to Children's hospital, so we stopped in for a quick visit to Summer. Debbie and little Tom got to hold her :)

Wednesday I was off to the hospital for a little baby fix. Summer is showing evidence of chubby cheeks, though she is far from chubby at around 3 lbs. 12 oz.

Exibit A-cheeks...check out the messy hair too :)

Thursday we went school clothes shopping for little Tom and Andrew. We got everything in one trip, yeah :) Friday another trip to the hospital and out to dinner with my hubby. Thanks to all our friends and family that take the kids !

Now that I have caught us up to date on summer, I .will update on baby Summer next...could we have picked a more confusing name?? Oh, yeah, how about Tom? argh :)