Happy Hollow

Dan and I took the monkeys to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo to enjoy a brief sunny day last week. I have been to this mini zoo/amusement park so many times in my childhood and love that it's still around for me to enjoy with my own littles. Ben came here only twice before they spent nearly two years renovating it. It's really nice now and we enjoyed our visit so much that we splurged on season passes=) They have a bunch of cool playgrounds, kiddie-rides, a small zoo and a wild-life learning center. Our first trip focused on the rides, naturally, but I'm excited to explore it with our family. Here are the pictures from our adventure!

Window Seat

Callie loves to check out the view of our neighborhood now that we have a new loveseat under the window=)

Emil-ina Ballerina

Emily has started Princess Ballet at the Y and is quickly on her way to becoming a prima ballerina;) The class is full of 3-4 year-olds so you can probably imagine it's more fun than instructional. Emmie is so excited to be there, though! Her teacher told me that she always pays close attention, follows the steps she shows her and she can tell Emily has natural ability=) I had to take the pictures through the viewing window so they're not that great. But just look at her form! She's a natural! Swan Lake, here we come...

18 Months!

She's well over 19 months now, and truth-be-told, I took these pictures veeeerrrrry close to the 19th month mark. But, they complete the set and they're pretty cute, so I know you won't mind=) Callie's 18th month went by just as fast as the 17 other months before it. She's a bona fide toddler now although she continues to wake up twice a night for a bottle, just like a baby:/

I'm less inclined to rush her through bottle-weening because it's her last vestige of babyhood. She's so much fun these days and just a bundle of affection and giggles. It's awesome to watch her really play with Ben and Emily. She loves to do naughty things that make them laugh;) Here's the last set of "chair pictures" for my last baby:..( Wahhh!

Look at the difference! Awwwww, it *almost* makes me want another;)

Welcome To The Jungle

Dan took Emily with him to Woodland to watch the Super Bowl with his dad which left Ben and Callie at home with me. Ben was pretty sad about being left behind until Mimi and I came up with a special day for us to spend together! We had lunch at Ben's fave restaurant(Taco Bell) and then went to The Jungle. Callie has never been there to play before and she, obviously, loved it. She spent most of her time in the ball pit but also loved running around. Ben was just so happy to spend the day getting to pick what he wanted without Emily around to try and veto anything and everything he wants=) Here are some cute pictures from our Jungle adventure

An Egg-cellent Idea

Emily asked if she could have the empty egg carton and then ran away gleefully. I expected to find it destroyed with pieces of Styrofoam everywhere. Instead, she brought it to me and proudly exclaimed: "Look! I put them all in their carseats."

I especially like the way Snow White is sitting and how the mommy is bent over. I imagine they went out partying with 2 of the 3 Wise Men, Thomas, the blond chick and the mechanic leaving Joseph and the dad at home to babysit Baby Jesus and the sheep. I know, I know. Blasphemy isn't funny. Well...it sort of is;)

Mall Rats

We spent Saturday morning at the mall. We got there early to let the little monkeys play in the kids zone before we started our shopping. I have TONS of pictures of Ben and Emily playing in this play area. We used to come here every weekend when we lived just down the street. It was fun watching Callie explore it now that she's a big-shot toddler=) It was especially nice that there were only two other toddlers there at the time.

During regular mall hours, that place is teeming with kids of all ages(mostly kids who are too big and too wild for the little ones to play with!). It's a well-kept secret that most malls open their doors hours before the shops open. You can get there early, let your kids play without getting trampled and do some window shopping before the crowds get there! Here are some cute shots of our little Mall Rats:

Oh my goodness. Callie reminds me so much of Ben as a toddler. She is all over the place. My friends laugh at her and say she looks like she's speed-walking=) It's exactly what it looks like. She just has places to go and people to see, I guess.

Such a big girl:(

Most new things get the "Lick Test" lately.

Is it any wonder we're always sick?!

Emily happily posed for this picture. Callie...not so happily;)

She is 18 months old, but check those pants out. Size 6-9 months. 6-9 months!! The shirt is 18-24 months. She is skinny as a snake.

I realized Ben is *almost* too old for this place when I watched him run around like the wild kids I always glare at;)