memorial day weekend

on saturday of memorial day weekend, ben had some work to do, so the kids and I spontaneously decided to pay the national zoo one last visit.  it was somewhat ambitious, but I thought we could do it if we paid the $20 for parking rather than taking the metro.  unfortunately, I was gambling on the morning crowd having left, and that was not the case.  still, after circling around rather lostly (shouldn't that be a word?) in the neighborhoods, we found a spot and made the hike over to the zoo.  on the plus side, everyone got a nap in the car (and I saved my 20 bucks =p)

first stop, children's zoo to see a friend

amazonia - this is one of the coolest exhibits I've seen anywhere



a caecilian

splashing in the tidal pool simulator

I congratulated myself on being a realistic mama:  I told the girls they had to walk if we were going to go, but I brought both the single stroller and the bjorn.  I suspected that we might end up with the stroller seating two non-infants =p

last stop



not so impressed =p  but really, he was exceedingly cooperative, seeing as he was just over 2 months

on sunday after church, our friends the j family graciously invited us over.  another friend had arranged for me to play one of my piano compositions during offertory the next sunday, so I was making my rounds with every piano-owning friend, madly trying to dust off rusty fingers and rusty music (my mom scanned a pencil-on-staff-paper copy for me - you can imagine how clearly that came out =p).  but the girls were happy for any opportunity to go to their friend's house, so they didn't mind.  in fact, c has listened to my cd so many times that she was happy to point out, 'mommmmy, that's not how it goes.. mommmy, you're not playing the right notes!'  =p

popsicle break

good thing it's awhile before she turns 16 ;-)

 

we were all thrilled when they invited us to join them for dinner, and ben was even able to come.  a beautiful evening sitting outside with sweet friends, topped off with a firepit and marshmallows!  i felt like i was soaking up the good memories.

this really was not planned =p

I call it 'Toes in the Sunset' ;-)