Zoo Birthday

One month ago today, I celebrated my 33rd birthday.  Well, to be truthful, I typically celebrate the whole month of April, but the actual day is the 24th.  My sweet family said that I could do anything I wanted for my birthday, so I chose the OKC Zoo!  Layla and Jenna called in sick to school, Trey took the day off, and we all headed north to see the animals.  

Quick side story...the pictures from this day were amongst the hundreds of pictures I "lost" a few weeks ago during an upload.  I was devastated.  Thankfully, my brilliant husband was able to retrieve them from a super secret folder on my Mac and then decode them so that I could access the files.  There are still a few pics that I can't get to upload to this post, but don't worry, there are plenty below!

This was only the second trip to the zoo for the girls.  They went a year ago and it wasn't a very pleasant experience, so their parents hesitated taking them back.  A whole year has passed and I just knew they were ready and would love it!  

Our first stop was the Children's Zoo.  When we entered the petting zoo portion Layla jumped right in.  There was a silly goat resting on a bench, so we told Layla to sit next to it.  She thought we said to sit ON it, so here she is trying to saddle up!  

Layla: "Here I come, Mr. Goat."

Layla: "Oh!  You said sit BY the goat.  I get it now!"

Jenna was a little more hesitant.  She preferred to be inside the barn where the animals were caged.  

Jenna: "See, sissy, it's much safer in here."

Layla: "Oh, come on, sissy.  These goats wouldn't hurt a fly.  Right, Daddy?"

Layla: "Feeding time!"

Jenna: "Here goes nothing..."

After several stops along the way, we made our trek toward the elephants.  This was our first visit to the new Elephant Habitat and our first time to see Baby Malee who celebrated her first birthday a week or so prior.  

"We're off to see the elephants!"

"We're almost there!"

Jenna: "Ooh, Daddy!  They're spectacular!"

They certainly are!  And, their habitat was just amazing!  

At the very tiptop was this beautiful waterfall.  Layla thought it was the perfect spot to pose with her Mommy.  Okay, maybe that was my idea and I forced it on her.    

After checking out a few more exhibits, we headed toward one of the playgrounds for a picnic lunch.  

Of course, Layla immediately found the slides...she loves them!

And Jenna found this frog!  

"Higher, Daddy, higher!"

Layla: "Ooh, I wanna go on there!"

Jenna: "I ride!  I ride!"

(direct quote)

Yes, of course, we let them ride.  Unfortunately, the carousel pictures are the ones I can't seem to upload.  I, meaning Trey, will continue working on them and, hopefully, they'll be posted soon!

UPDATED (5/25/12):  YAY!  Trey saved the day again...here are those carousel pics!  

We decided the carousel was a great finale to our trip, but, of course, we couldn't leave without a couple of souvenirs!

Okay, I have to include this picture of my turkeys looking at a turkey to tell another side story (how else am I going to remember these things in 20 years?)  There is no denying the girls are strikingly different in size.  As they were trotting around the zoo I kept thinking to myself, geez, Jenna already needs bigger shorts.  During a diaper change right before going home, I realized their shorts were switched!  

Poor Jenna was stuffing her 3T body into a 12-18 month pair of shorts!     

After a nice nap, Trey and the girls took me out for a birthday dinner.  Of course, we can't all be looking at the camera at once, so here is Jenna looking forward...  

...and here is Layla looking forward!

After Dinner...

Those who know me well, know that cookie cake with white icing is my all-time fave!  What a perfect way to end a perfect day!  Thank you to my sweet family for a wonderful birthday!

Circus Party

One of the cutest little boys in town celebrated his first birthday about a month ago.  His mommy, my dear friend, Lindsay, threw an amazing circus party to commemorate Austin's big day!  Poor Lindsay was so stressed out about the rainy forecast and inevitably had to change the party from a backyard bash to an indoor affair at the last minute.  I felt so bad for her because I know exactly what it's like to worry about the weather ruining all of your plans, but, nonetheless, the party was PERFECT!  Layla and Jenna had such a fun time and forgot all about the fact that they were missing their afternoon nap.  Believe me, there were no complaints from them!

Lindsay had all sorts of fun activities set up for the kids...the girls' first stop was the photo booth.  

Jenna: "Check out all this clown-gear!  I don't know if it's really my style, but I think it would look good on you, sissy!"

I thought Layla needed a little encouraging.

Layla: "Your kidding, right, mom?  

Jenna: "No pictures!  Oh great...now I'll never be able to run for President."

Sponji the Clown made these balloon animals for the girls, even though the girls wanted nothing to do with Sponji the Clown!

One thing they did not shy away from, however, was the food.  

Time for games!

Seriously, check out Jenna's form...I think we've got a future pitcher in the family!

 Layla: "Bullseye!  Man, I'm good!"

Jenna: "Anyone up for a round of bowling?"

Layla: "I'm game!  You get the ball, I'll set up the pins!"

 The biggest hit of all was the tub of water with rubber duckies.  

I'm talking 'soaking wet shirts, water all over the floor, actually getting into the tub' kind of fun!

Eventually, the girls discovered popcorn.  

Unfortunately, instead of getting a bag of popcorn from the actual popcorn stand, the girls stole the ones meant for decoration off the tables.  Luckily, Lindsay didn't mind at all.  

Jenna: "I can't believe in all our two years, we've never had this stuff!"

Layla: "It's salty, buttery, fluffy...simply marvelous!"

Well, look who's getting brave and sharing her popcorn with Sponji!

I mean, really, perfect form even while holding popcorn!

Now, onto the face painting...

Jenna: "Now remember, less is more."

I'm telling you...face painting has come a long way!  This lady was doing the most intricate and detailed designs.  We opted for simple hearts since we weren't sure just how long Jenna would sit still.  Little Layla, decided against the face paint.

Jenna: "Ooh presents!  Let's see, which one of these is for me?"

Layla: "Now I know this one is mine...everyone knows how I feel about Elmo!"

 Okay, I think it's time to get out of here before the girls start opening presents!  

One last stop at the party favor table!  Red vines and a stolen decorative pom (sorry, Lindsay)!

Thank you so much, Austin, for inviting the girls to your birthday party!  They had such a blast celebrating with you!!!

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was so lovely this year.  Our little family headed to church where we met up with Lolli, Pop, Aunt Devin, Uncle Tony, and Cousin Emory.  After the service we all headed back to our house for lunch and Aunt Delo joined us as well.  After sifting through all the goodies in the Easter baskets, we were able to sit back and relax the rest of the day.  It was perfect.  I didn't take many pictures of the day's events, but for documentation purposes, I wanted to include these two that I had previously shared on Facebook.

Our Family

Dearest sisters, together as friends, ready to face whatever life sends.  

Joy and laughter or tears and strife, holding hands tightly as we dance through life. 

(author unknown) 

The Easter Bunny

Yes, we are totally those parents who feel it is absolutely necessary for Layla and Jenna to visit Santa and the Easter Bunny even if they don't necessarily want to.  What's even worse is that Trey and I actually find it slightly comical when they are having their melt down in the middle of the mall. As traumatic of an experience as this may seem in pictures, the whole thing lasts less than a minute and the crying immediately stops once their turn is over.  I mean, come on, do you really think they will be scarred for life because I made them sit on a bunny's lap when they were two? Doubtful.    

I ended up displaying one of these pictures in our house during the Easter season.  Every time the girls would see it they would point to the picture and say, 'I sad.'  Even though the picture is no longer around, and hasn't been for several weeks, whenever they are upset about something they will often cry out the words 'Easter Bunny'!  Okay, so maybe I have scarred them for life!      

I actually consider this a step up from our visit with Santa...Trey and I didn't have to sit in the picture with them!  See ya next year, Mr. Easter Bunny!