Amazingly enough we slept in, a little too long, we ended up missing our continental breakfast, but we grabbed something on the way to the Zoo. It wasn't quite as hot today because there were some pretty torrential downpours through the night. Reese was restless all night, probably due to extreme exhaustion and well, she was in ear shot of us.... so maybe she moves around that much, we just don't realize it!
After Scott got the car all packed we headed out to the Zoo for a great day of leisurely walking, checking out all the animals. Complete with 2 carrousel rides, a boat ride and topped off with some dippin' dots.
I think the highlight of events was in the bird sanctuary...... why? I think this photo says it all:
It took a few minutes for Reese and Riley to notice that Scott had turned into a human tree as they were looking at all the birds on the ground around me and slowly making their way towards Scott. At one point I think he had about 13 birds perched randomly.... Reese was freaked COMPLETELY out... but she made it out unscathed and felt "safe" attached to my leg.
It was a great day and I think that Reese throughly enjoyed herself....
We took our first minivacation as a family. Scott was the man as I had asked what he wanted to do for Father's Day and he said he wanted to go to a water park. Within a couple of days he had booked an amazing suite at the INDOOR water park at Fort Rapids in Columbus, Ohio and another hotel on the 3rd day to have a nice leasiurely day at the Columbus Zoo.
I'm not sure who had more fun, Scott or the girls!!! Fort Rapids was a PERFECT PERFECT spot and atmosphere for adults and kids alike. I even enjoyed sitting in the shallow water taking photos and helping the girls come down the slides.
Reese's favorites were the blue and yellow slides.... and the poor thing, the 2nd day she summed it up best "I'm having a hard day Mommy."
First Reese was being a bit wild and JUMPED down to sit down on the red slide which she ended up catching part of her thigh on the water nozzle that left a rather large bruise on her hip for the next few days.... you can see it starting to go away at the lake, a week later.
THEN about 45 minutes later....the poor thing got knocked down and stepped on by the "Doodle bop girl" who was in this crazy colored bathing suit that turned and ran Reese over when the bucket dumped and I don't even think she blinked at what she did which ticked me off, but I was more concerened about Reese's shin / foot. I will say I have to give MAJOR thanks to the first aid people at Fort Rapids as they were SO super nice to not only Reese but myself, Scott and Riley. It was weird that we had to fill out an accident report, but they said that they like to keep everything so if there is a pattern that emerges they can see how to fix it, makes sense, just still felt weird. After a little bit of ice and a big bandaid, she was as good as new.... and nothing that a cup of ice cream and another 20 - 30 times down slides didn't fix.
Overall, WONDERFUL TIME and Reese can't wait to go back.
Today was Joey's 2nd birthday party, and of course, the theme was Elmo! Julie always has amazing themed parties and this one was another success!!! Even though it was HOT HOT HOT, as in 90something, the kids had a great time... thank goodness for the kiddie pools!
Reese had the best time going up and down the side walk, and ended up figuring out that if she put her feet up in the police car crazy coupe she could FLY down the hill.
One of the main highlights was ELMO!!! All the parents joked that we hope that Elmo didn't pass out in the heat, but if so, we'd just work it into the act! Reese was happy to see him there and gave him lots of hugs and "Hi Elmo!!!"
The Akron Zoo had a "Member's Only Preview" today to showcase the newest additions, Jellies: Rhythm in the Blue and the touch tank.... though Reese kept saying "We're going to see the jellos!"
It's really QUITE amazing what they've done!!! It's set up a lot like the Columbus Zoo sea area and the Virginia Beach Aquarium. The specimens they have are beautiful and I only wished I would have had my Rebel camera, but it was 93 or something ridiculous today and it was nice to have the point and clicker..... it was a hot day, but we braved it and had a good time hanging with our friends, Devon/Grace and Jessica/Carter.
We didn't stand in the LONG line for the touch tank, figured it was there all summer, so we'd head there in a few weeks when the crowds die down, and it's NOT the day after school lets out.
As members left the zoo each child was able to pick out a plastic star fish, it was a nice little unexpected gift.
Thanks again to Shaun and Matt for Reese's birthday gift of the zoo pass, definitely gets MORE than it's money's worth!
We had a lovely small BBQ in the backyard with Scott's family. It was nice to just relax after a crazy weekend we've had.
Reese reaffirmed her stance on watermelon, she still hates it. It's definitely a texture thing.... and not going to push it, though it did make for some pretty funny photos.... at least she did try it again!
Reese and Riley attended Leia's 4th birthday party today. They had such a good time. Reese and I left a little early to head to a membership ceremony for Sara and then a going away party for Tracey afterwards at the Spaghetti warehouse.
Reese had fun playing at Leia's party, especially the slides and cornhole. Scott was great and set the girls up and "practiced"... though Reese didn't need too much as she got a few in herself!
Reese had fun at bible school, and then the evening couldn't have gotten any better as she was SUPPOSED to split a dessert with Tracey, but Tracey didn't want any of it...or I take it back.... "it's too cute to watch her eat it..." and Reese ended up eating 99% of this GIGANTIC chocolate dessert, she talked about that for 3 days.
This morning Reese, Riley and I joined in another several hundred people to participate in the 2nd Annual Stewart's Caring Place Hope Walk.
Stewart's Caring Place offers free services to cancer patients and survivors within the community. Kelly Keith was a big supporter of Stewart's Caring Place, and we (Friends for Kelly) walked in her memory. It was great to see my friends that I knew, as well as the ones that I had only communicated with via email to organize dinners and things, definitely a arm place to be that morning and we couldn't have ASKED for better weather!!!
Reese, Riley and I are in the front row, left side with the blue/gray stroller right above the head guy taking a photo. We didn't mean to be in the front, we got cot the stage and the guy said "Now turn around"
From the Akron Beacon Journal:
Survivors, others walk to raise about $40,000 for free programs at Stewart's Caring Place
With the sun shining bright in a cloudy sky, hundreds of cancer survivors and their friends and families gathered at Lock 3 Park Saturday morning to celebrate life and build awareness for Stewart's Caring Place.
The second annual Hope Walk & Reunion Picnic, sponsored by several local businesses, is a fundraiser event for many free programs at Stewart's aimed at helping cancer sufferers and their loved ones.
More than 400 people turned out for the event, which has raised about $40,000. Last year, about 130 people participated in an event that raised about $33,000.
Many wore the names of lost friends and families on handwritten signs taped to their backs, while others had special T-shirts with slogans such as ''Becky's Boob Brigade'' and
''Friends for Kelly.''
''It's a way for us to celebrate cancer survivors and honor all the friends and family members who have supported us and each other,''
What's funny is that my next door neighbor, Sarah, was in Becky's Boob Brigade! She saw my name on the back of my shirt (volleyball team) and of course, recognized Reese and Riley, and the whole walk Riley kept asking "Where's Sarah?!"
Every year the local high school has a carnival to raise money. Not a bad deal if you are old enough or have enough energy to ride for 5 hours a night for only $14.00, or it's $1.00 a ticket. Reese and Riley always like pointing out the big ferris wheel and other rides during the day, and if they are lit up around dusk they squeal then too.
For the past 2 days when Reese has been watching the rides go up she keeps saying "I hope daddy takes me on the big ferris wheel!" I told her to ask Daddy and I'm sure he would.
THE BIG DAY CAME, Friday. Scott was home at a reasonable hour, so we loaded up and headed over. The big ferris wheel was still being inspected, so it wasn't ready for another 10 minutes... Scott looked over and there was a small kid sized one. Figured that may be better to "test the waters" as we KNEW that Riley didn't want to go, she was in my arms and told me over and over again.
Reese gave her 2 tickets to the guy and got in....
And she went around 4 times!
UNTIL..... the 5th time her stomach was feeling weird and she was begging to get off!!!
BUT, they had a blast on the DINOS and the Carrousel!
