A Trip to the Zoo

Wednesday the kids and I headed to Montgomery to the zoo.  It was a great trip because pretty much all of the animals were awake and active, which usually isn't the case.  We went as soon as they opened to try and avoid the horrible heat we've been experiencing lately.  Maybe the animals were active since it was morning??  Not really sure, but the kids really enjoyed it!

The jaguars were especially frisky!  We watched them for at least 20 minutes.  They were wrestling, jumping from the branches into the water, and throwing a ball around.  It really was interesting to see.

 There was also a new wind tunnel thingy (don't you love my description....I don't know what else to call it).  It was meant to show how high the winds can get in the African terrain (I guess??). Not really sure, but it was worth the $2 I spent to see the kids!  I got a good laugh that's for sure!

At the beginning....they were all smiles.

Then came the really high wind, and Daniel lost it!  Georgie and  Jack loved it.  Can't say the same for Daniel....

The zoo also has added a new canary conservatory.  Funny story (wish I had a picture) that happened.  Before you enter there are a list of rules, mainly stressing to remain calm and quiet.  You can feed the canaries with a stick that has bird food on the end.  You basically just hold it out and they will come sit and eat.  I got the stick, then the bird.  When I asked Georgie did she want to hold it, she quickly replied, "NO!"  So then to Jack, who also turned down the offer.  Here comes Daniel...all smiles, "Me want to hold the bird."  So I pass the stick to him.  When I do, the canary flaps his wings a little and the D-Man went nuts.  You've never heard such a scream.  About that time, canaries are flying EVERYWHERE!  It was pretty funny I must admit!

This was the first time I've seen the alligator awake and moving.

The train is always a huge hit!

We also fed the giraffes.  Georgie and Jack both fed her, but Daniel was a little skittish after the bird incident, so he just watched.

What a little nut he is!  

Georgie siting in front of the many huge fans around the zoo.  Gotta love 8 year old teeth!

The bear also kept walking in front of the glass looking at the kids.

Camp Butler

Last summer I started "Camp Butler" (a Mommy Camp if you will) for my children.  We have geared up again this summer and the kids are actually excited about all of the things we have planned.

I am not real good at schedules, but with three little ones home with me all day, everyday we needed a little structure.  We have certain activities planned for specific days of the week (Library on Wednesday and Friday, Pool on Tuesday, etc.)  Each day we are trying to do things around the same time, like scheduled meal-time and snacks, crafts in the morning, quiet time after lunch, etc.  I know this is just the first week, but so far so good.  I actually think they like knowing what to expect each day. 

I purchased The Summer Bridge Activity Workbooks for the children and so far I really like them.  They contain 12 weeks of activities (2 worksheets per day) and are designed to review what they learned in the grade they just completed and preview the the skills they will learn in the upcoming grade.  

I also made a behavior chart for each child which will hopefully help encourage good behavior (and let's face it, most days we need all the encouragement we can get). 

 
Week One of Camp Butler has been great!  Be on the look out for a post soon!! 

Pre-K Awards Day

Today was Jack's Pre-K Class Awards Program at Tallassee Elementary School.  It was a wonderful conclusion to wonderful year for Jack.  I am so proud of him and how much he has grown this past school year.  He has been blessed with such loving, caring teachers and has been surrounded with a great group of friends.

They performed several of their favorite songs....

Jack was most proud of the award he received....

"Best All Around"

Paw Paw, Memaw, Papa and Nana all came to see Jack.  He was so happy ALL of his grandparents were there!!

Two of the sweetest kids around that Jack adores!
Bry, Ryleigh and Jack  

Aunt Beth got to come too!

Jack with his best bud, Camden

I am so very proud of Jack and so happy God chose me to be his Mommy!

Mud Slingin'

Last week we received a lot of rain for a couple of days. All that wonderful rain left a giant mud puddle in the back alley behind our house.  The kids kept wanting to ride their bikes through it and I kept telling trying to discourage them.  One afternoon Michael was outside with them when he comes in the house and tells me to get the camera.  This is what I found.  They had so much fun splashing and getting good and dirty.  I must admit it made me smile because I remember too playing in a giant mud puddle with my childhood friend Nancy for an entire afternoon when we were about Georgie's age.  It is a very find memory of mine and hopefully they will remember their sweet Daddy letting them run and play in the mud.

Dance Recital

Saturday Georgia Anne participated in The Pointed Toe's presentation of "Dance for Your Dinner".  It was a wonderful show and I know I am just a teeny bit biased, but I must say Georgie did a wonderful job.  She is such a little ham and loves the attention!  (Not really sure where this comes from, because the thought of dancing in front of a packed full auditorium of people would be enough to send me clear over the edge!)

For their baton and gymnastics routine Georgia's class performed 

I Want Candy.  I have to admit I LOVE these outfits!  They were so cute and looked so good on stage.

She was so proud when she nailed her round-off!

 For ballet they performed Little Bumble Bee.  I think these are the sweetest little group of bees ever!

Then finally for tap the bees made a reappearance in Honey Comb.

Here is a photo of Georgie's advertisement in the program.

And I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I took to get the shots we used for the program.

Pre-K Field Trip

Mrs. Collins, Jack and Mrs. Creel

Last Friday Jack's Pre-K Class went to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts for a class field trip.  Daniel was excited he got to go as well.  It was a lot of fun to get to spend time with Jack's teachers and friends.  They are such a good group of kids!  

The kids all brought bread to feed the ducks.  Needless to say, a loaf of bread per child means the ducks, turtles and fish were all very well fed!

Mrs. Collins and Jack (He loves her SO much!)

Daniel, Valerie, Jack, Ryleigh, Camden and Avery

Valerie and Jack trying on masks.

Daniel's favorite was the bird mask.

Having fun at the race car exhibit.