Back When it Was Warmer

India got friend of the month in her class.  Ammon and I laughed.  She LOVES playing with friends.  But it doesn't come without a whole lot of drama usually.  I guess that's the way it is with girls.

 

 

Hogle Zoo

I never get tired of going to the zoo.  But mostly it's fun to go with family and friends.  Here is our trip with some forever friends, Kenna and Janel, from this summer.

 Sad kids are still so photogenic.

 Baby Hunter and Janel.

 India, Carter, and Hanna on train ride.  Hanna did not like the noise at the zoo.

 Carter, India, and Maya looking at the dinosaurs - a very cool summer feature.  The dinosaurs have migrated somewhere warmer for the winter.  I hope they'll be back next summer!  India and Maya adore and fight over  who gets to be friends with Hanna and Carter.

Miss Hanna still not pleased with the noise pollution.

 Maya yelling at the dinosaurs.

 

 I 'd love to install one of these lion drinking fountains in my dream home someday.

 Maya chewing on her hair.

 Maya, again, verbally abusing the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

 I know I'm a nerd,  but I'd kind of like to have a huge dinosaur like this in my dream back yard.  Or the front yard.  I'm not picky.

 Carousel Ride. Maya named her animal Sparkles.

 And India named her seal Princess.

This is my favorite part of the zoo!

 So cute!  We have so many friends we want to be related to, so our plan is to have India and Maya marry the sons of said friends.  Carter will you marry India, please?  It may be too much sass in one marriage . . . there was the dispute over Carter's table ownership where India slapped Carter across the face and ended the argument with "my table."  They were only two or three at the time.  I'll keep hoping.  

The cutest animal yet! 

Rewind: Short Stories

Part I

The day started out with the kids helping me pick the apricots, pine cones, and sticks off the ground.  I started screaming when I saw the  "stick" attached to a disgusting, furry body.  Then I freaked Maya out and she started screaming too.  I'm not very brave.

Turns out rats love apricots.  This uggy rat did not run away because its back legs were crushed.  I did not want its carcass in my backyard.  So my cousin, Ashley, caught it and we took it up to the waterfall for its release to nature.

Part II

Later that week, these guys came to visit us!  We sure had so much playing with our favoritest next-door-neighbors in the pool and waterfall!  Love love hug hug and kiss to you Tristan & Andrew. (And a pinch on the butt for you Susan & David).

Andrew liked throwing rocks.

But India did not appreciate Andrew's accurate aim to the back of her head.

Finishing off the day with a best friends hug.

Part III

I let Kysa, Meeka, & India play with my makeup once.  Now they ask everyday.

India kept calling herself a paint-facer.  And we probably won't let her wear make up until she can afford to buy her own.  

Soccer & Preschool

Ammon got an amazing BARGAIN on Real soccer tickets to 3 games! Thanks Dad and Mom - awesome birthday present to Ammon. We cuddled and cheered sans kids on the 3rd and 4th row. I liked going to the Real vs. Chivas game better because I didn't understand all the Spanish swear words. The referee-ing was TERRIBLE, which meant about 6 fights, 10 yellows, and 2 or 3 reds. No exaggeration. People were going nuts.

Every time India sees the Real mascot she remembers, "I shake him hand!" It's been a highlight of her life ever since.

I survived my rotation of preschool teaching. And it has been so much fun! I haven't asked the other mommies if I could put pictures of their kids on the blog, but believe me, they are super duper cute too. (And so far better behaved than India).

Pirate Jack finishing off a pumkin sugar cookie in Ammon's Sunday shirt. Arrgh!

India and Jack AFTER preschool (after a sugar cookie . . . with lots of frosting . . . and a treat from the skeleton's belly) showing off the 5 senses song.

Secret Crush

Ammon told India she needed to take a nap after lunch.

India: "Ok. I'm going to dream about Josh."

Ammon : "Which Josh?"

India: "Kenna's Josh."

Ammon: "Why?"

India: "Because I love him silly."

You wouldn't know it because she's a bit shy around Josh, but now we know why! We've already given Family Home Evening lessons on kissing rules since India kept snogging neighbors and nursery friends. Sheesh.

Featured above is Kenna & Kenna's Josh. They have started a blog explaining who they are and why they are choosing to adopt. Click here or the box on the side to read more!

We love you Shumheads! Keep persevering, stay strong, and someday all those tears will be worth it.