Nana and Papa's Playground

My In-Laws live next to an Elementary school.  This is fabulous for the girls since they now know they get to play on that schools' playground.   Nana and Papa live about 40 minutes away so it was a bit of a drive, during which, some silliness occurred from the eldest and youngest factions.

The middle faction was otherwise occupied by her dreams.

We had a great visit actually.  Relaxing and fun for the kids.  Even though 40 minutes isn't long, we don't get to see Mom and Dad as much as we'd like so it was nice to spend some good time with them.

An evening to remember, and all the kids could ask was when we'd get to go back.

Zoo!

Today was the Pre-K's trip to the Seneca Park Zoo.  Willa was soo excited about going, even though for almost all of last week she was sure she was going to the museum.

She was very happy to be paired up with her best bud from class, whose Mom was also able to go and so it felt like a little play-date at the zoo.  We just happened to run into her entire class and teachers as well.  We were able to meander at our own pace and stop for snack when little legs wore out and little tummies started growling.

Our zoo here in Rochester, is very walkable.  Not soo big you can't handle it in one day with only a bit of whining about being tired.

And I was able to bring Adalyn along for her first zoo experience.  She enjoyed the outing and after she was buckled in the car and I had walked around to buckle Willa, Ady had already fallen asleep.  Those animals can really wear you out!

What I love about places like this is the wonder it inspires in kids.  I have mixed feelings about wild animals in captivity but that is for another time and place.  But watching her here, as the sea lion swam so close, only separated by a few mere inches of glass...she was amazed.  We should all be amazed more.  Like when we first walked into Grand Central Station and the architecture put us in awe.  In those moments, I feel small.  In a perfectly arranged universe, and rightly so.  I could tell today that Willa was amazed, and perhaps she felt a little small next to the elephants and Rhinos.  Hopefully she did.  Hopefully she will remember that feeling.

Finding the dog's water unattended is such a treat!  Adalyn could not resist soaking her graham cracker in it.

And then, since it had food in it...

she just couldn't resist!

Sweet Randoms

Goggle Girl

The older girls are enrolled in swim class and doing quite well.  We got them each some goggles but Willa was enjoying some pre-class goggle time.

That girl!

Congratulations to My Dear Sister-In-Law (well, almost SIL)

This past weekend we celebrated my Almost Sister-In-Law's graduation from St. John Fisher.  Smarty-pants graduated Suma Cum Laude with 3 diamonds next to her name in the bulletin!  lol, seriously, she is an extremely smart woman and I'm super glad to have her in my life and my girl's lives too.  

Someday, her and my brother Kurt will get married.  We joke a lot about their inability to pick a date but I get their personal reasons for not choosing next week.  As long as it happens at some point and I get to keep this wonderful woman in my family forever and ever, I'll be happy.

Back to the Graduation...I would not classify this day as my best photographically speaking, though this shot with Tia and her diploma is nice.  However, there were scads and scads of people there and I ended up shooting blindly, just pointing the camera in the direction of people and hoping it came out somewhat reasonable.  That is how I ended up with a lovely pic like this...

And this...

And while slightly better, still not great were these...

Really, tons of people.  Plus, I had Adalyn with me.   However, the festivities proved to be too much for her and she zonked on my Nephew's shoulder for a while...(btw Michael, I washed your shirt and all the drool marks came out)

Nor did I manage to get pics of the small party we had to celebrate(what was I thinking???!!)  But it was a lovely time to relax and celebrate a supercalafragalisticexpialidocious Woman who has already achieved so much.  Good Luck Christina and Congratulations.

Artwork on Display

Denver has a little drawing on display up at the Greece Ridge Mall.  All of the Greece school contribute to the show and Denver's teacher can show 80 pieces out of 400 students.  I'd say it's a great compliment to have her work shown.

While we were there, we ran into some friends and the kids had a blast looking at all the artwork and pretending to eat these giant cookies.