The Zoo Crew

Spring Break Adventure Part Two

Addison and I got together with our favorite zoo crew friends... the Reynolds Gang. Caryn and I loaded up her Suburban with her three and my one (yes she is the parenting expert while I am still just playing house like a little girl) to go to the Nashville Zoo on a fine spring day.  We had a nice trip up there with children singing and chatting about the animals we were going to see.  Aubree, Caryn's youngest daughter, can do a mean monkey impression and tried to teach Addie how talk like a monkey.  Addie and Aubree also had a count off on the way to the zoo only missing a few numbers here and there.  I know what you are thinking.... smart and beautiful. 

In the pic, Addie and Aubree are checking out the meerkats.

When we arrived at the zoo, the monkeys must had known their favorite zoo crew was coming because we could hear them in the parking lot and this made our little bits very excited.  After fighting with Caryn's stroller to pop up, which has seen a lot of action the past six years, unloading two toddlers, a preschooler, and a kindergardener, and getting the loot that goes with them, we were ready to see the lions, tigers, and meerkats. 

In the pic,our zoo crew next to the elephant skull 

left to right: Rylee, Addie, Brody, and Aubree

This was Addie's second trip to the zoo.  We went this past fall when she was eighteen months old and I was just amazed in the difference six months makes.  Addie was following directions and I was not having to venture off the walk ways into the jungle to get her.  

In the pic, Addie is with one of her favorite animals.

After visiting with all of the animals and having a quick lunch break, we headed to the playground to get the last bit of energy out before the ride home.  Addie really has gotten the hang of the slides and climbing up the walls.  I had to send in my helper, aka Rylee, to help Addie through the tunnel and to get her down the slide.  Addie likes to hold up the slide line by sitting up at the top.  I know, I know, I have one of those kids.  I am so thankful that Caryn had children when she did.  It saves me from having to climb up the slide to get my little bit... I just send in the Reynolds troop after mine.

In the pic, Aubree going down the slide.  Addie is probably sitting up at the top.

After the playground, the two mamas and the four winey children were ready to go home.  You cannot beat four children sleeping in the back of a car. 

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring Break Adventures Part One

During my spring break from the adventures of kindergarten,  Addison and I enjoyed the spring sunshine and spent a lot of time outside.  Our adventures started in our backyard.  I got all Addie's little toys and outside goodies out of storage.  She absolutely loves this time of year!  Although I love the outdoors, sunshine, and beautiful blooms, getting little Addie Reese inside sometimes turns into a UFC fight that I sometimes have to tapout on. I have become an expert sidewalk chalk artist, counting the number of times Addie goes down the slide (this is at her demand), ordering "milk drinks" from the window of her playhouse, and picking buttercups.  Here are a few snapshots of our day out in the spring sunshine.  It is so nice to see the simple joys of life through Addie.  Just a little reminder to live life like a child when you can!!!!!

Welcome to my house

I think this is slide down # 525

Don't forget to smell the flowers...

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend!?!

After lots of thinking and pressure from a select few friends and family, Kyle and I decided to take Addie to get her ears pierced.  Being the "lets make the most of our time" parents, we decided to do this the day of her two year old checkup.  If getting the last of her booster shots was not enough, we decided to add this to the wonderful new world of being 2.  

Addie was so sweet and innocent while being lead to the "piercing" slaughter.  We went to the Nashville West Shopping Center after her doctor appointment.  All Addie could say was, "Shopping, shopping... we go shopping!"  This is her common explanation when Target is in the eye line (she is truly a girl after her mommy's heart).  So we go to Target first to get some snacks and bribery for the future piercing plans.  After we leave Target, Kyle and I look at each other and decide it is time to walk down to Claire's.

As we walk into the store, Addie is in heaven playing with the necklaces and earrings hanging from the display shelves.  Like any concerned parent, Kyle begins to use his legal questioning with the girls behind the checkout counter.  Let me note that the girls behind the counter that will have my daughters ears in their hands have done a lot of practicing by counting the number of their piercings.  After filling out the forms and picking up the hundreds of necklaces and earrings Addie knocked off the shelves, we were ready to get her little diamond studs in her ears.   

At first Addie loved climbing up in the chair and checking out the view.  But this excitement soon was out the window....

Mommy trying to reassure her baby girl that it will be okay as she tries to jump down from the chair and run out the door.

Mommy is having to use a little more force to keep the remarkably strong two year old in the chair.  After this, mommy had to bring in our photographer aka daddy to help.  Daddy had to hold the bottom half and I had to hold her head still.  The two "Claire's Girls" tried to pierce at the same time but Addie moved her head so the "expert" piercer jumped over to the other side a quickly fixed our lopsided studded girl.  We quickly gave Addie Reese some of her favorite candies and went to the car.  Although the picture below does not show it, she got over the experience and loves her earrings.  

We wanted to show Addie how much we admired her bravery by taking her to the park and letting her run around the playground.  We thought it was the least we could do after a shot and earrings.... but as the picture tells you all Addie wanted to do was sleep. What we do for fashion!