{Here Kitty-Kitty}

My sister had a birthday last week and we got together to celebrate this past weekend. It has been a dream of hers for a long time to pet a tiger, or any wild cat, really. This isn't an easy dream to fulfil being that getting close to one of these animals usually means your life is over. However, her BFF Leif, arranged for her to go to a local zoo and touch their baby tigers and he invited us to share the experience with her. I don't know about you, but when I think of "baby", I think small. So, I was a little surprised to see these very large kitties up close. It was a great experience. We were allowed to go back to a special viewing area and listen to some interesting facts about tigers and then put our hands to the fence as the tigers passed and rubbed up against it. I think Sundee was the only one they came close enough to let feel, so she was finally able to touch a tiger!! How cool is that? It was so fun watching her face as the tiger came near. I think she would have loved to go play with the kitties, but common sense prevailed. This is one of the cute kitties. About 20 seconds after I took this picture, he locked his eyes on E, who was standing right next to me with his back to the tiger, up against the glass. The tiger got up and lowered the front half of his body and was ready to pounce. At this moment, time stood still for me. My first thought was, "Oh my gosh, this tiger is going to get my son!!" Talk about a feeling of helplessness. I quickly remembered there was glass in between them, and that E was totally safe. Then the tiger took a step and lunged at E. Again, this is in slow motion for me, and I was just praying that the glass was REALLY thick!! The tiger hit the glass with his front paws as he stood on his hind legs towering over E. E turned around and had the scare of his life! Everyone laughed, which helped E realize he wasn't in danger. His look of terror soon turned to a nervous laugh, and now that he is in the comfort of his own home, with no tigers around, he refers to this as "the coolest part of the day". Not many people can actually say they had a tiger lunge at them. Although this experience seems to have left no emotional scars for E, I have to wonder... because for the rest of the day, he only wanted to play with the sculptures in the zoo and didn't really take an interest in the live animals.

We wish J and L could have joined in all the fun, but our little L was sick with the stomach flu.

Hope you had a fun birthday, Sis!!

{Rock Stars}

My kids love to rock out with their air-guitars to any song. I think this particular day "Tear drops on my guitar" by Taylor Swift was playing. Not a real "jammin'" song.

{10 months}

Runny nose and all....K is such a happy girl. She is cutting another top tooth, cruising around the kitchen while she holds onto a little chair, eating like a starving bear just out of hibernation, and talking (baby talk) up a storm. Her favorite foods are banana's and 5 cheese tortellini. She says: Bahbah, Da-da, Ma-ma, na-na and blows kisses upon request. So much fun!

{Spring Snow}

Yes, this is snow falling in mid-April! It has been one crazy year for weather. Normally, this rhododendron bush is in full bloom and gorgeous this time of year. I am sooo ready for some sunshine.

{Happy Birthday}

E's birthday started with a family tradition of us signing our version of the Beatles hit, Birthday in our own rock-star fashion, "Today is your Birthday, nahna-na-na-na-na. It's not my birthday too, no!...nahna, na, na, na, na." (I'm not sure how that got started...I think it was my rock-star husband..the best part is making up your own words.) Then, we hid 1 present, and played the hot/cold clue game, for him to find. It was so fun to see his eyes (his gorgeous hazel eyes, not these red eyes...I'm too lazy to photoshop) get wide when he found this Star Wars shirt he has wanted for MONTHS. I love birthdays!

After swimming lessons that evening, we went to Burger King for dinner...E's pick. Some of our family came over later for cake and ice cream. It was very nice, and E had a great time. He got a lot of fun presents, I just posted a few. It's wonderful to be around family and see my children enjoy all the love from Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

This Darth Vader helmet has voice recordings of different Vader sayings and a voice changer so you can say anything in the "Vader" voice...it's really fun. I am thinking I should tell E to hide in J's closet one morning and say, "Good morning Daddy" in the "Vader" voice. Wouldn't that be funny? (If you are reading, Honey...beware.)

Kindergarten Special Day...E also had a celebration with his class. They made him a book that they each colored a picture in and they sang to him. E prepared a poster all about himself. It was really fun and E enjoyed the spotlight.

This poster has a self portrait drawn, his age, what he wants to be when he grows up (tank gunman and Blue Angels pilot), picture of his family, what he likes (Star Wars), what he dislikes (his sister calling him a "baby"). I am so glad his teacher laminated it because it is a treasure.

{Birthday Party}

E had his 6th Birthday party yesterday at a wonderful little, local jumping joint. It was a GREAT time!! Many of his friends showed up to help him celebrate, which made the day very special. There is something magical about fifteen little, sweaty boys running around filling the room with laughter and roars, and then the cute, little girls letting out little screams and giggles as they slid down the slides. I hope I can keep those sounds in my memory forever. I only saw tears once. It was Jensen when he was leaving...only because he didn't get to eat his cupcake (I would have cried too). I can't have anyone leaving in tears, so I piled his plate with cupcakes and cookies for the road. (I hope some of that actually made it home Mimi, and he didn't eat it all before dinner.) On our way home from the party, E kept talking about what a great time he had with all his friends. Thanks to everyone who helped make E's day a special one! When I took this picture, he was shouting "Disco Parker!"

I LOVE this picture of L(I'm glad she had shorts on under her skirt)

Even the babies had fun! Aren't they cute?

Lots of fun presents
Happy Birthday, Bubby! May all your wishes come true!

{Lions, Tigers & Bears}

For the last 35 years, E's school has hosted a circus presented by the Kindergarten class. We were all excited to participate this year. E was chosen to be the Ring Master, so he was able to announce all the circus acts. It was very cute. They had costumes for all the kids and everyone did a great job. I wish my pictures turned out, but it's too dark in the auditorium for my little point-and-shoot camera to get good pictures.

Ring Master E back in his classroom after the circus. Check out his mustache.

{Out of the Mouths of My Babes}

My kids have been saying some really interesting, funny and cute things lately. I thought I'd share a few with you.

Whistles
L: "Mom, when I was a boy I could whistle. Now that I am a girl, I can't do it."

Where is Jesus?
L: "Mom, I know where Jesus is."
Me: "Really? Where?"
L: "Right here in my heart, " as she points to her chest.

Are you a dog?
The other day we were feeding the dog some treats and when we finished the dog thought L still had treats so she was sniffing her and consequently, right in L's face. This made L nervous so I told the dog to go lay down. I had to say it a few times which prompted E to also tell the dog to go lay down. I said, "E it's too confusing for Mitsy (the dog) when we are all telling her what to do. Just let Mama tell her what to do, please." Without skipping a beat, E said, "How do you know? Are you a dog?"