Memorial Day

Our weekend was filled with lots of BBQs, swimming, sprinkler fun, family, friends, FUN and remembering why we celebrate such an important day. I am grateful for those that serve, now and in the past, for our liberties we have as Americans and those who believe in fighting for those who do not have the privilege of living a life of freedom.

I was listening to KLOVE on Sunday while driving to Kyle's parents for a BBQ. An American soldier was talking about how to respond to veterans of our war today and it was interesting to hear him talk about how not to speak to them about being heroes. He explained that these fighting Americans have either seen or done things that civilians here could not contemplate (women and children being used as collateral in a high intensity situation) and to be told "you are a hero" isn't a great compliment or something they really want to be  recognised as. Interesting, I though. Understandable, too. Heartbreaking, yes. I'm glad I heard this so I can be praying for our soldiers who have to deal with devastating situations that no one wants to deal with. I am grateful to be American, even if our government and leadership is imperfect.

Enough of that, here is my sweet girl charging through the sprinklers!!!

LOVE her face in this one!

Running from Auntie to Grammy.

Getting chased by Auntie.

Loving the grass and sprinklers!

Bubble time.

Using a bubble blower on brother.

First, you dip it in...

Then, you aim it at your little brother...

Last, you laugh and scare your little brother run away!!! Oh Charlotte.

Playing around

Charlotte working on a Mermaid puzzle.

Playing with her new ocean sensory box.

Playing with her little brother.

Talking in babble.

Being goofy. Notice her shirt?... it says, " I love being a Big Sister"... totally fitting for such a silly and playful big sister!!!

B Man in his jean diaper and playing with his trains.

Jean diaper

Off to find sister and cause trouble.

He LOVES ripping wrapping paper! Great activity.

Charlotte wanted to take a picture... she thought this picture was "ahh, cute". LOL

Blanket Forts

I love blanket forts.

Summer is here and we are going to make blanket forts A LOT.

:) :) :)

Fun with a friend

I really enjoy having friends over, especially Charlotte's friends. Calvin and Charlotte play SO well together for being 2 years old where sharing and caring don't come too easy. They sure are great friends.

Swimming

Calvin cooling down the slide for his friend. So sweet.

Hard at work at the water table.

Calvin

Charlotte washing the sandstone and singing "sing sweet nightingale, la, la, la, laaaaa" from the Cinderella cleaning scene.

Love these two!!!

Zoo Playdate

The weather was absolutely amazing today! It was cool and overcast, and slightly windy. It was beautiful. Charlotte, B Man and I met up with our good friends, Vicki, Charlie and Miss Lexi. We love them!

 The girls with their safari hats, toilet paper tube binoculars, and a zoo animal checklist! Thanks Vicki for all your hard work. :)

Ready to go see the animals!!!



Looking for the giraffes with her "nock-u-lurrs" 

Beautiful Zebras. I swear he was posing for the camera!

Charlotte, again, using the "nock-u-lurrs" to see the zebras. She was too cute.

Sleeping otter

I think they have a pretty nice place to live.

Sweet friends.

The new orangutan exhibit is almost finished and the zoo keeper said he has noticed a huge improvement in the animals' health. The facility is equipped with new day rooms and outside play areas, much bigger and better from the last. It should be as it cost about $500,000 to build and equip. I took all these pictures from an indoor room with glass separating us from the chimps.

Bess and Kasih

Kasih came right up to Charlotte and tried to make friends with her! It was definitely an exciting moment to watch.

She was eyeballing Charlotte's binoculars... I think the hot pink ribbon caught her attention.  

C was aware of her behavior and how much she desired to touch C's binoculars.  

She got a little scared because Kasih was looking at her for such a long time. She wanted me to hold her. I explained Kasih wouldn't hut her because I would protect her and the glass was safely separating us. WOW, it was such a cool moment to see Charlotte and Kasih exchanging looks. WOW. 

B Man watching the orangs.

On our way to the lunch and play area, we saw a peacock strolling along. She was just gorgeous.

The girls left with Ring Pops in hand and loved every minute of the day.

So did B Man! He was such a good little boy.