Como Zoo with Jen & Heather!

Auntie Jen has to go back to work soon.  BOO!  So, we thought we would take the kiddos to Como Zoo to see the animals.  It was Tanner's first trip to the zoo and he did not see a thing - little man slept the whole time! 

It was also the first time for all of us to see the new Primate Area.  They have been working on it for about 2 years, so we were excited to see them in their new habitat!  It is pretty neat.  They have lots of room to roam now!  Orangutan's are mommy's FAVORITE zoo animal.  The babies are especially cute!

This is Shroeder's "wing span!"  Holy-Moly!  

 See the gorilla sitting right to the left of Kendall!  He was making some faces too!

 Dawson has a monkey on his head!  Good photo op thanks to Auntie Heather seeing this!

I had read that the zebras were having a hard time getting used to their new "rocks that move!"  It was so funny.  The tortoise would move and the zebra would jump out of her stripes!  Who would have thought that the tortoise would be such an issue!

 Watching the polar bear swim...

 then deciding he was "too scary!"  Ha!

The girls!

RC Cola!

 

Big boots to fill out some day!

Sleepy Tanner!

YMCA Splash Deck!

Took the kids up to the YMCA Splash Deck today for the FIRST time.  They had been seeing it ALL winter long and wondering when it was going to open.  Guess the snow & the cold wouldn't have stopped them from going - water might have been more like ICE though!

I knew that Carter wasn't too interested in going but it was hot so he came along and was my helper (though he sunbathed most of the time).  He did cool off occasionally in the water though - it did feel good just to cool off a little.

All in all, they had fun.  I love splash pads because it is way easier than watching all 4 kids at the beach!  Just to hard to keep an eye on all of them!

 Even though you cannot see his face too well in this photo. I just love it!  He came out pretty fast for a little slide! 

 About every 10 minutes or so, the water automatically turns off.  Then you have to go and push the button to turn it back on.  This is the face you get when you are mid-slide and the water shuts off!  :(

 Kendall was loving the waterslides - the yellow one was her favorite though.  At the end of the day she was playing in the spouts a little, but for sure she must have gone on this slide 30 times if not more!

 Whoops! 

 Reese was a little hesitant about the splash pad at first.  We tried to go down the slide together, but that is not allowed (we got in "trouble" for doing that!).  But, towards the end of the time she was having fun in the water spouts!  I just love her faces in these photos.  So real.  So. MUCH. FUN!

Carter's hair in this photo looks like an advertisement for some hair care product!  Oh-la-la!

Warming up in the sun!

 Dawson was so "cold" he had to hide under his towel!

 Brrr... so cold Kendall!

Another day of t-ball... confusion!

We have been happy with t-ball but for some reason this year it has been somewhat a mess.  Our coach seems wonderful (he is an elementary phy ed teacher) but had a vacation planned, then a family emergency and unfortunately it was not relayed to the parents very well.  So, luckily a few parents tried to help, but when there is only 7 kids on your team and one is gone (coaches daughter) it is hard to play a game with only 6 kids.  And there was a team added on late, so SLP had not added them to the schedule yet.

But, in the long run, I guess that the kids seem to be having fun so that is what is important!  No matter the chaos that seems to be occurring!

Kendall and buddy, Max!

Good swing Kendall!

 Wish you could see Max's face in this photo.  HE was so happy to be running in!

End of the season for Carter!

The boys played a really competitive game tonight - against one of CArter's friends from school.  The 2 previous times they played this team this season they won.  But, tonight, the other team just had a little edge on the ROX.  Carter's team lost by 2.  This is the end of the season for them.

Carter is really upset about it.  There were a few mistakes that were made by the team tonight - hence why I have been telling Carter all season (when he was constantly being put in the outfield) that playing the outfield and being able to catch are REALLY important as you get older.  He has felt that he was just being "stuck" out in the field.  His coach reiterated to me, after having told CJ a few times, that he is a GREAT fielder.  He can catch.  He is fast.  He can make the plays.  It is not a bad position! 

Next year Carter, next year!

Good hit!

Too close for me!  Other team winning!  :(

Another good hit!

Winning!  Yippee!

Outside fun!

A day of fun in the backyard!  The girls got this sprinkler for their birthday.  We haven't got to use it too much because of the lack of "summer" weather!  But today was nice enough to play in it!  Reese really did not want too much to do with it, but Dawson and Kendall had a blast.  Reese just wanted to play baseball with me!

The simple joys of childhood!

Playing ball!

 Where did you get those beautiful BLUE eyes from!?  Oh, yeah, DADDY!

Another Double header!

Both boys have a game tonight... luckily Carter's game is right across the street from Dawson's - so Carter just walked over to his field so I could watch a few more minutes of Dawson's game!  Love that!  No driving all over town!

He hasn't got to catch too much, but like his big brother, he really likes catching!

Way to stop the ball, Dawson! Little talker!

 

Another pretty moon night!  Loving the reflection on the pond!