Armored Dolphin

This morning, Alice taped a turtle, a hole punch, and some other stuff to her dolphin.

Presents for the Grandparents

Simon thought if he made presents for the grandparents, they would come back to open them.

(Zac secretly opened them.)

DJ's birthday party at Pullen Park

Zac took the kids to Pullen Park for Alice's classmate DJ's birthday party.

Alice on the Monkey Bars

Today was the first time Alice made it all the way across the monkey bars by herself!

White Deer Park

I had to fast all day for my colonoscopy tomorrow, so Zac took the kids to White Deer Park for the day.  It's a great place with a cool playground, a nature play area, and a bike path.

Double meanings
After the long day at the park, Simon fell asleep in the van. I brought him in and he slept on me for a bit longer. As he started to wake up a bit, I tried to talk to him to get him to completely wake up.

Sera: Where did you come from? Did you come from the park?

Simon: Yes.

Sera: Did you ride bikes there?

Simon: No, we drove.

I don't know why this struck me as hilarious. I guess because he fell right back asleep after saying that, and because of course I meant while they were at the park did he ride a bike, but he interpreted it as if I was asking if he rode his bike to get there.  (This park is a 25 minute drive away).

Sera's 38th Birthday & Duke Gardens

After viewing the cake, we opened presents. Zac gave the kids the project of decorating one the of the boxes, and they did an amazing job!

After the presents, we went to Duke Gardens.

Simon had the most fun trying to touch fish at the koi pond. He was thrilled when he really did touch one.

 

Bench at Duke Gardens 2018

Bench at Duke Gardens 2016

Bench at Duke Gardens 2015

We got to watch this heron eat a giant fish. It was quite amazing.

Simon gives some serious side-eye.

Back at home, our good friends Rob and Kate came over for a pizza supper, they told us they were moving the Colorado, and we had cake.

Earth Day & Community Work Day

Friday was a busy day for my kids.  Simon's daycare had their Earth day garden planting celebration. Another parent send me this picture of the proud Simon.

Meanwhile, my high school had their community work day. Coincidentally, the health teacher at my school (Katie Kritzer) takes a group of students to volunteer in the 1st grade classroom of her good friend (Amanda Jones) who is Alice's teacher.

Side note: Katie Kristzer looks a little bit like my sister and also has a very similar personality and mannerisms. It's weird.

Simon at Lake Johnson

I left work early to run some errands, but they didn't end up taking very long, so I was able to pick up Simon early. I thought it would be fun to stop at Lake Johnson, which we drive by every day on the way to get Alice, and let him play a bit.  He loved it.  He's such an easy kid and will happily entertain himself anywhere.

Portraits of Alice