Catoctin Zoo

I can not believe that we have never been to Catoctin Zoo. It was amazing and definitely worth the trip; it is a little over an hour away. We learned of this place last year and have been wanting to go since. Well we finally made it. What I really loved is that this zoo is a true wildlife preserve as well and is over 25 acres of woods. It is very natural and rustic to meander through all the animals and the best is you are quite close to many of the animals so you can really see and appreciate the beast.

There is also a safari jeep ride where you can feed and pet many of the animals. The boys and of course Omer and I really enjoyed the ride. I love the ability to get up close with the beasts because I think you learn to respect and appreciate them more.

We spent over 5 hours at the zoo with lots of smiles, running, astonished faces and excitement. There were some really cool moments that none of us really have seen or experienced:
1- Hyena - wow what a scary and very large beast
2- Giraffe - Owen's favorite
3- The largest collection of snakes we have ever seen. Some quite rare snakes. Very cool!
4- Baboons - Aiden's favorite (they were a spectacle to watch)
5- Camel ride - first for all of us
6- Tiger and Lions - Being able to look right at the cat, into their eyes is heart pounding and peaceful
7- Safari ride - not quite Africa yet but we are working up to that
8- Wolves - what a mighty, strong, gorgeous creature
9- Water Buffalo - what a sweet, soft creature
10- A great day and experience with the family!

Owen's Robot Chalk Drawing

Owen has them small robot that he was determined to draw in chalk. He did an amazing job and I was amazed with all the details; like the red eyes, and the webbed fingers, etc. Daddy is going to have some competition now with Owen's chalk. 

 

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

I had a wonderful birthday and felt very loved. Omer took a day off from work and while I volunteered at the boy's school he did some chores around the house. Then I ran errands and ate lunch out alone. Lovely! After some fun times playing at home, Owen wanted to go on a hike as a present to me. Loved my present. He wanted to go to the hike where he takes his summer nature camp. It was a wonderful hike with the whole family, and Callie and Chester enjoyed the new smells. Then they headed home to wrap presents and decorate the cake, while I got a nice run in home. Might not sound perfect to some, but this was exactly what I wanted to do on my day. 

I loved my delicious pink lemonade cake that the boys iced and sprinkled. They sung, we ate, got lots of smiles and kisses. Then they gave me their presents wish I loved. They both made a special card they decorated just for me. Then last week Aiden announced he wanted to get me a "beautiful scarf and a princess cup". Not sure where he got this from but it was perfect. My reusable water cup just broke a week before so actually did want another. And the scarf is so pretty. 

I am blessed to be surrounded by so much love. Thanks for a wonderful birthday!

Singing Happy Birthday

Blowing Candles

Big Smiles

Birthday Smooch

Cake Face

Icing Clothes

Trying to be Serious

The lemonade cake was loved by all

Owen gave me the princess cup!

"You love it Mom?"

Aiden gave me the scarf

"Beautiful scarf"

The boys did good!

Love this picture - a hug and a kiss from my boys

Goofy Mom & Owen

Sweet Big Hug

The flower card, by Owen

My favorite one drawn by Owen

Flower card by Aiden

My favorite from Aiden, it is a sticker tree with animals

 

SUNSHINE

It has been raining and gloomy for several days. Happy because we really needed the rain, but like always we love when the sunshine returns. While Aiden was napping, the four of us enjoyed some garden and grass fun. 

Our Iris' Have Really Bloomed

Silly Owen

Sweet Owen - he actually loves watching all the flowers bloom and gets so excited

Chester enjoying a bone

Callie getting love from Owen

Doggy Hugs

Belly Rubs - Callie's Favorite

 

Hot in April

Today it reached 88 today. Crazy hot for April. But we relished in the taste of summer for the day. The boys wanted to visit Daddy while he played volleyball across the street. The perk is the neighbors have a trampoline. The boys had a blast and wanted to take their shirts of too because the men did. 

 

 

Then I took them back home and they got in their suits and played in the hose while I filled up water balloons. Water balloon fight was lots of fun. 

 

Aiden helped water flowers too and then made himself a mud puddle. Oh how much fun he had in that little mud puddle. Love it! And look at my gorgeous azalea. 

 

 

The neighbor kids heard us playing and headed over to join. Sam trapped Owen in the tent with a perfect shot.

Then Owen and Sydney trapped Sam. The kids had a great time!!!

 

Aiden's Buddies

I was watching Aiden's friend Sadie for the morning and decided to invite Aiden's other two favorite friends to come over and play too. Aiden was over joyed that all three could come play with us all morning. I honestly was excited to be watching all four kiddos; I love seeing Aiden with his own friends and they are all so sweet. 

We had a great time playing chase, riding wagons and cars, pushing animals around, driving cars and piggies in the dirt, and so on. 

Bianca & Sadie

Aaron & Aiden were playing piggies in the dirt

The girls pushed around their animals

Four Friends

Aaron and Aiden moved on to driving trucks in the dirt

Loved Sadie's choice of costume - Super Sadie cape and Iron Man glove

Sweet Smiley Bianca

Picnic Snack

All the kiddos wanted to pile in the wagon for a ride. I pulled them around until they decided they needed more room.