Trip to the Zoo

We made a trip to the Dallas Zoo on Friday with a few friends....



It was a beautiful day and the kids had a blast. They had a stingray exhibit open where you could actually pet and feed the stingrays. Of course I didn't get any pics of that b/c I was right in there with the kids... I think I liked it more than they did. Cooper and I fed the stingrays their mini dead fish that were cut in half, but Lexi didn't want any part in it. You would hold it way underwater in your hand and they would swim over and suck it out of your hand... it was a very strange feeling.

Cooper was excited to see the lions and tigers, but when we got to the lion cage, they had a sign on the cage telling us that Boris, the lion, had died earlier this year. Cooper was sad, but went on, but Lexi just could not get over this. She asked about the Lion for the next 30 minutes.

We caught the tigers just in time... the trainers had planted his food for the day and the tiger was out looking for it. The tiger was pretty close... it's so amazing how large and graceful they are. Cooper loved it!

The elephant gave us quite a show also... he was playing in the water and splashing people.






They have a new little water area for the kids... and of course, you know how much my kids love water. They were soaked, but they had a great time!

Right before we left, I noticed they had horse rides. I have been looking for a place to take Lexi to ride a horse. As most of you know Lexi's favorite movie is Flicka and she LOVES horses. I thought she might be a little nervous, but she hopped right to the front of the line and got on the horse. She was so fast, I couldn't even get my camera out... thank goodness Mary Jane was there and got the pic. Coop loved it too!

Last pic of the day... playing on the elephant statues before we left.....

We were all exhausted, but had a wonderful time!!!!

Bad Hair Day

I know sometimes Lexi's hair isn't perfectly brushed and styled, but this is how most of our days start :)

Ballet Class

Lexi started Ballet a few weeks ago and has actually really enjoyed it. There are about 4-5 girls in her class. When I first started her in Ballet, I wasn't sure how she would react to the other girls in class (b/c sometimes she isn't so nice), but she was so nice to everyone and even followed Ms Candy's instructions. They are just so cute out there. She does a little Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Routine that is so cute to watch... Of course, I didn't take any video of the Twinkle, Twinkle Routine because I wanted to wait for their 'final recital' to take the video. She did so well on all of the practice runs, but as soon as it was time for them to perform, Lexi was showing off for 2 girls (siblings of a girl in her class). They kept laughing at her, so she just kept goofing around. So, needless to say, next time I will video before the final show. Here are some pics!

FIRST BLOG!!!

Ok....NEVER thought I would have my own blog, actually just learned what one was a few weeks ago :) Anway.....A good friend (thanks Lane) set this up for me, so now I just have to keep up with it! Anyone that knows me is probably already thinking that this will never stay updated, and believe me, I have my own doubts, but I will try!!!! At least I can do this quickly, unlike scrapbooking that takes forever just to get everything out! By the time I get it out, the kids are screaming for lunch, Maggie has gotten in to the trash, the dryer alarm goes off, dishwasher alarm goes off... so scrapbook stuff goes back in the closet! So at least this doesn't require stamps, letters, construction paper, scissors, etc! I think i can do it :)

Well, Cooper turned 5 on Friday, April 4. Grandma and Granddad came down Thursday evening to help me get everything ready. Blake and I took Coop to his new school to register for Kindergarten. I can't believe he will be going to school everyday next year... quite a change from being home with me everyday for the past few months, but I think he is ready and excited!

We woke up Saturday Morning to Reggi and Mark sitting in the living room trying to be quiet and not wake up anyone... which is pretty hard for Mark (HAHAHA) They were here early to make it to Cooper's Soccer game. The whole family headed over to Breckinridge Park for the game. Cooper is actually much better than we ever thought he would be. He is pretty laid back and a little shy, so we thought he might not be very aggressive, but we were definitely WRONG. He goes for the ball and gets right in the middle of the pack and even scored a goal in his second game!!!

After the game we had to do a few last minute things to get ready for the 'Hunting Party' that started at 1pm. Caleb, Brayden, Will, Ben, Blayne, John William, Anthony, Nicolas, Bailey, Hayden, Emily, and Jackson were all planning on attending! We had several games to play and a cookie cake with a deer on it! All of the kids had fun with the camo face paint, water guns and foam bow and arrow, but I think the highlight of the afternoon came from the obstacle course. All the kids had to put on a big camo t-shirt, camo hat, and camo gloves. Then walk the balance beam, in and out of cones, shoot the basketball, follow the animal tracks, straddle the tires, crawl underneath, ropes and finally shoot the soccer ball into the net. It was so fun to watch! Cooper received lots of fun toys and had a blast with all of his friends!