Girls Day Out

Mady met up with her friends Harper and Emma for a fun day at the zoo. She was so happy to spend the day with them.

All of the girls decided that they didn't need the moms to stand with them on the carousel. They are growing up!

The giraffes always know better than the humans and stand in the shade of hot days.

Mady discovered this little fox sleeping in a den. We've never noticed it before!

It Happened in August

There seems to have been an accident at the castle.

Technically this didn't happen in August, but I found these pictures at my Grandma's house. Grandpa Ray Farrow's high school graduation photo. Late 1930's.

 Grandma Luella Hodgson Farrow's high school graduation photo. 1941.

Not the nicest picture to share: Mady's legs after the mosquitos of North Dakota. This was a week later. Ouch!

Out for a Pokemon hunt with Alex and Zachy. The game has really encouraged them to walk with me. They don't think walking is boring when there are Pokemon to catch!

Lil Slugger

Mady has been going to Lil Sluggers baseball classes for some time now. Her skills and form have definitely improved.
This is, of course, the cone on your head skill. Very useful in the higher levels of play.

 Always eager to participate.

 Running the bases -

 like a speed demon!

 Great hit!

 Finishing off the class with a team cheer.

 And it is the end of the session, so she earned her certificate from her awesome coaches.

4th and 3rd Grade

And so, another school year begins with mountains of books and school supplies. Some of the books are already at school, and we still have this much to carry!

Such handsome boys. We know you're going to do great this year!

Special Taco Tuesday

How do you combine Taco Tuesday with the last day of summer ice cream sundae extravaganza? Oh, that's right, you make ice cream tacos!

A local ice cream shop was kind enough to sell me some waffle taco shells...which was much easier than my plan of trying to make them myself!

 Mady was a bit skeptical at first, but she enjoyed her taco.

Check out these creations!

 Yum!

I think Alex and Zachy each managed one bite in taco form before we had to resort to the spoon.

Back to school tomorrow. Here's to a wonderful school year!

Let's Get Crafty

Mady, Alex and Zachy went to an art studio to create a project today.

Zachy chose a low profile frog while Alex picked the frog bank. Mady picked out an acorn jar. They all worked really hard on their projects and were excited to see the finished products.

Zoo Trip

It was time for another trip to the Oakland Zoo.

 The river otters were especially playful today and we were able to see them up close.

 Hidden wallaroo, trying to stay cool.

 Zoo train!

There are 17 rows of seats available on this ride, and 2 other kids. I don't really know why they all chose the front row of the fire truck.

Zachy told me that during zoo camp, his group was able to go into the zebra pen and hide treats for them!

Little meerkats, hanging out in their tunnel.

Everyone's favorite gibbon.

Finishing off the day with animal cookies.

Cooking Camp

Mady was at cooking camp this week. I'm not really sure what they cooked, but she had fun and wanted to do more.
She made this awesome place setting.

Since she had cooking on the brain, Phil set her up in the kitchen cutting veggies and stir frying them.

I'm pretty sure her mouth is full of carrots.

Great job Mady!

Family Camp Night

Alex and Zachy went to Trail's End camp for the week. A friend from school had signed up for the same week with out us knowing, and we saw even more friends at camp all week. Alameda is such a crazy little town! On Thursday night, the camp invites families to come for a picnic and watch skits that the kids put together. It was an extra good thing we had friends at camp, because Mady and I got lost on the way to the camp area, which made us late for dinner. With no cell phone service, we were very grateful that other families stepped right up and took the boys under their wing. We didn't miss the skits though!

Alex was a dragon in his skit.

Zachy brought the king his demands.

Yay! Meeting up with school friends.

Walking back to the cars after the skits. Somehow the little sisters who didn't get to enjoy camp all week were left carrying the heavy load.

Reliving the fun moments of the night.