Safari, Gardens and Other Fun!

After hearing lots of good things about the local drive-thru "zoo", we decided to give it a try last weekend. Honestly, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Probably not somewhere I would go without a child, but still really hilarious (especially if in an old car so you don't spend the entire time worrying about horns and antlers bumping you). For the low price of $1, you get a cup of food - absolutely a necessity! Unfortunately, one of the deer got a little frisky, and I dropped one of the full cups all over Jesse's floorboard. Annabelle loved everything but the Emu's, and I agree that they were a little aggressive. Jesse compared them to the raptors in Jurassic Park...you turn away for a minute, and one darts its head into your car.

This guy was very friendly, but I was a little intimidated by the size of his teeth. Zebra bite - no thank you!

Jesse was much more brave, and did most of our animal feeding!


This was the scene in front of and behind our car most of the drive. Dr. Doolittle?




Checking out the pigs and kangaroos.


She preferred most of the animals at a distance, but loved seeing them!

We have been cleaning out, organizing, throwing away, and finishing up projects. It has been so good to just catch up and not be in the middle of any huge projects! Annabelle's big girl room and the nursery are finished! Photos soon - I love them both! The need to nest is so real and makes me a little obsessive. I keep thinking that I will go into labor with all the laundry dirty or no groceries. Our house has never been so clean. I feel like we finally moved in completely.


Watching Daddy work in the garage.

Annabelle and I went to the Botanical Gardens again the other day and enjoyed their Trail of Scarecrows. Our membership there is really the best money I have spent in a while. We both love it, and never get tired of going on nice days.



Loved the Curious George scarecrow, but not so sure about sticking her face in it.


Picnic lunch...thinking serious thoughts over her cheese stick.


Our favorite of the day...Charlotte's Web. This is by far Annabelle's favorite thing to watch. We have the original version of the movie, and it is fantastic for kids her age.


Before school picture one morning.


Same day as before, but after school. Things get a little crazy around here most afternoons!

The sunglasses are usually worn on top of her head, holding her hair back. She started doing this at the beach this summer, and it makes her look like a teenager every time!

Back soon with nursery/bedroom pictures. And then hopefully, new baby pictures soon after that! Counting down the days!

To remember!

I haven't written an Annabelle update in a while, and I know it with this baby girl coming very soon that I need to get caught up!

Age: 2 years, 4 months

Things you say:

• "Let's put it right there...in case we need it." - this applies to anything and everything!
• You ask your daddy "What's a matter, big guy?", and you also call him Daddy-o
• You have been calling us "fellas" - as in, "Come on, fellas" (we have no idea where you got this)
• You have been telling us "I have an idea..." when you want to do something.
• You say "actually" when you have a different idea/opinion with us. Today you asked me what color my shirt was...when I said light purple, you said "actually, mama, I think it is blue."
• The other day you asked for animal crackers for breakfast. When I told you no, you told me "but mama, I have been needing some animal crackers for my whole life."
• "Get in here in my life" when you want one of us to come to where you are
• I taught you to say y'all. You keep saying "what are you all doing, y'all?"
• Your daddy loves a large variety of music types. You know/sing the notes to John Williams' Superman Theme, and the other night you sang "I love rock and roll" - hilarious.
• You ask "what time it is?" a lot. We tell you the actual time and then what time in your day that is (i.e. playtime, snack time). Now you say random times frequently.
• "Snug as a rug in a rug"
• The funniest thing you say right now is "that ridiculous" (the word ridiculous was learned from your Nana). You know the exact context and tone to use that phrase, and it makes us laugh every time. A couple of nights ago you asked to go to the swimming pool. Your daddy said "It's closed - we can't go swimming again until next summer." You immediately replied "that ridiculous!"
  

Favorites: baby dolls, puzzles, climbing, swinging, playing outside, bubbles, watering plants with the hose, string cheese, peanut butter & jelly, spaghetti, pancakes, green beans, cooking/baking, playing with your animals & doll house, books, "driving" daddy's car, lollipops, and going on "adventures"

You have conquered your fear of sliding at the park! You are so proud of yourself, and I can't believe how masterfully you climb, slide, and play on the huge equipment.

You love to feed the dogs by yourself and know the exact amount they need.

You have been going to preschool (2 mornings a week) for 4 weeks now. The first day was great, but after that we have had a difficult transition. You talk about it very happily and love seeing your friends there, but the morning separation has been a challenge.

You are really interested in talking about our wedding rings and that we are married. You say "Daddy gave a ring to Mama because you got married, so now Mama is married to Daddy and Daddy is married to Mama."

We can't wait to watch you be a big sister in a few weeks!