Tim has continued to de- and re-construct our new home. While Tim is doing the bulk of the work, the kiddos and I are trying to help a fair amount - mostly we are unskilled laborers. They both enjoy "helping" me tear down wall paper, pull-up carpet, and carry construction trash to the dumpster. The weekend nights are great because they both are so tired that they go to sleep early and sleep well all night long. I wonder at times if this is "slave labor," but then I see how happy they look in the pictures working and I realize that they love it as much we do! They are excited to be a part of the project :)
Liz rolls up carpet pad, while Sam "works" on his copper pipe.
Our, um, kitchen (?)
Our den is now open to the garage... Soon there will be a mud-room and wall again.
We went to the zoo two times in eight days. The first time was with Ed, Deb, and Joey. They were in town for a few days. It was a gorgeous morning to tool around outside and enjoy the animals. Lizzy and Sammy both played fairly well with their 14 month old cousin Joey. Lizzy tended to be very maternal toward Joey. Sammy would usually play fine - unless Joey got close to me, and then he would get jealous and say "my mommy!" Joey is getting so big and independent - he seems to try to copy the kiddos by walking and trying to do all the "big kid" things. So fun!
The second trip was with our friends Cortney and Isa. On that trip we went on different paths and saw many different animals. Sam really liked the snake display. Lizzy loved seeing the peacock show off its tail. Isa was brave and touched the (despiked) sting rays (Sammy and Lizzy refused to put their hands in the water).
Three kids (totally over 100 pounds) in a double sit-n-stand stroller. We had Tim push it.... ;)
Here I got a photo of Sammy SHARING with Joey - instead of taking food away from him...
The kiddos (and Deb) on the carousel (this was actually at the train park not the zoo).
Lizzy, Sammy, and Isa check out the sting rays.
Unlike her friend Isa, Lizzy refused to tough the "icky" fish.
