At The Zoo (again)!

So we have annual passes to Lowry Park Zoo...and we go a lot. Here are some pics from our latest adventure.

We got to feed the giraffes this time... usually they won't come over.

This giraffe was friendly... and hungry!

You don't realize how big they are until you're standing next to them... they're HUGE!!

Squish, of course, was wide-eyed about everything!

And that wore her out quickly.....

My favorite animal... the Okapi... it's like a mix of a giraffe, a deer and a zebra.... the coolest looking thing you've ever seen.

A quick snuggle at the Okapi pen... because it was REALLY hot!

African penguins... who somehow didn't mind that it was 95 degrees out... maybe it was the pool!

The Asian Rhinoceros.

There was a fan here... we camped a while!

Squish gets a wax animal everytime we go... so far she has a giraffe and an elephant. The wax animal of today.... the African Penguin!

Then a quick lunch at Panchero's...

...before going home to pass out underneath the fan!!

It was a really fun day... but really REALLY hot!!

Squishy and the Airplane

While at the air museum... of course we had to get Squish her first airplane.She loves this little plane!

Daddy hopes this means she will love all airplanes... and grow up to be an astronaut or something...

Mommy just thinks its bright and colorful...

Either way, one thing is certain....

Squish loves her airplane!!

I love this last pic because it looks like she's telling you about her plane. She's like, "Now as you can see, the twin prop turbine engine provides the kind of air velocity neccessary to sustain the wind speeds of higher altitudes..."

Maybe Daddy was right after all???

Future Gymnanst?

Squish has this adorable new habit of just constantly being in a split when she sits up. I think it is easier for her to balance like this... but it's just too cute. I had to share!
You would have to carry me off in a stretcher if I even ATTEMPTED to sit like that. The flexibility of a baby is remarkable... what the heck happens to us later in life?

Is There Anything Sweeter?

Is there anything sweeter... than a Daddy who takes the time to read to his daughter...

To let her know how important she is to him...

To tell her with his actions, "You are so very special to me."....

And, "I delight in spending time with you."...
Is there anything sweeter?

Simon and The Squish!

We have the worlds best cat!

He is sweet... and gentle... and loyal...

He doesn't mind little hands that grab his fur...

And little fingers, that search inquisitively...

And little bodies, that pull....

And crawl....

...right over top of him....

We love our kitty!
And our kitty loves us!!

Fantasy of Flight

So anyone who's known my husband for more than 5 minutes knows that he is slightly obsessed with airplanes (some boys never grow up). So, what better way to spend Father's Day than at an Air Museum. So we went to Fantasy of Flight in Lakeland, FL and spent the day immersed in airplanes!I have to admit, despite the oppressive Florida heat and the fact that I spent 3/4 of my day in a hangar... it was pretty neat. Even Squish seemed to enjoy it. This plane was actually in the movie, "Flyboys", (which we've seen a dozen times...my husband loves it) and we got to meet one of the pilots who was actually in the movie.

Personally, I would have rather met James Franco... but that's just me. Hubby was way more excited about the real pilot and plane. lol.

Here is my husband discussing the pros and cons of this particular engine with his father. No, I have no idea what they are talking about.

This engine was apparently EXTREMELY impressive... something about 26 cylinders.

I thought this one was pretty... like a starfish. Apparently, comparing machinery to sea life is insulting in the mechanical world. Who knew they were so touchy?

And, of course, we couldn't leave until we had spent a good long time staring at the P-51 Mustang, my husbands all time favorite plane. Funny, he also likes the car.... no relation of course.

All in all, it was a great, fun and relaxing day. We arrived home hot, sweaty and exhausted and all promptly fell asleep (especially little Squish).

Here she is shredding paper in her car seat. Like 3 minutes after this photo I turned to see she had drooled on it, turning it into paper mache, and smeared it all over herself (she even ate some of it). Oh well, a little fiber never hurt anyone.

What Was I Thinking?

Ever have one of those moments when things don't exactly go how you had them planned in your head? So I decided to do arts and crafts with my five month old. I wanted to do something really special for my hubby's first Father's Day, so I decided Squishy and I were going to make him a picture of footprints and handprints.

So I laid down newspaper.... and got washable paint... and rags... and water... and paper... and put them all down in the kitchen.

Then I added my 5 month old daughter. At first, she thought it was hilarious.... she giggled as I painted her foot and we made footprints together. However, after about the 2nd footprint she got bored.... she tried to grab the paint... she tried to grab her paint covered foot... she tried to grab the brush.... she pulled up the newspaper on the floor... and I began to realize that this was not going to go like I had hoped. THEN.... I tried to get a handprint. REALLY BAD IDEA! Now, I had a 5 month old with a paint covered extremity who is trying to grab EVERYTHING. She took her paint covered hand and grabbed her clean foot.... she grabbed me... she tried to put it in her mouth. I quickly realized my mistake, and art time was over. I threw the baby in the bathtub... threw everything else in the wash or the garbage. And that was that. However, I did manage to salvage one page of foot prints, even after destroying the kitchen.

I wrote on it and framed it... and it ended up turning out pretty darn cute!

And then I got to see my husbands face this morning on Father's Day, as he opened up his present while Squishy sat on his lap. And I remembered why I did it!
I love you, baby! Happy Father's Day!

Something Cute!

Please excuse the slooooooow evolution of this blog... I am still trying to figure things out. I have a friend helping me so hopefully it will be up and running soon. Until then, here are a few pics of Squish to tide you over!

Such a ham! What can I say!