day at the zoo

We went to the Houston Zoo today, and had a really nice time! The weather was fantastic which made for a great visit. There were lots of people, so we had to drive around for awhile before finding a place to park, but once inside, it didn't seem overcrowded. Hermann Park was nice to walk through today from the car to the zoo. There were lots of people out & about enjoying the weather, along with the kiddie train & the paddle boats that are outside the zoo. We are really enjoying our Family Passes we got for Christmas to the zoo & the Children's Museum (thanks Grammer & Pappy!) because we don't feel like we have to wear ourselves out seeing every little thing. We know we can come back later and get in with our passes.

Daddy is introducing Ellie to the world of the zoo! She has been here before, but I think it was over a year ago, so this is really her first time to know what's going on.

Katie enjoyed looking at the signs to see where the animals were from. She amazes us with the way she is reading and soaking up all the new things she is learning!

Katie wanted to get on this statue. Maybe she has a future as an elephant trainer! LOL Ellie didn't want anything to do with it!

I love the giraffes. They intrigue me!

An attempt at getting a picture of all 3 of the girls. We are paying someone to take pictures of them next weekend. Let's hope they have more luck!

The girls both brought home fantastic report cards yesterday, so they got a treat at the zoo. Katie originally chose popcorn until she saw Gracie's huge ice cream, then she was all about that!

Daddy with his baby Ellie & sweet Gracie.

I love seeing the girls with their Daddy.

Of course, no child can go to the zoo without popping up in the prairie dog hole!

Nothing like a big, pretend boat to get the imagination working!

Ellie was a bit awestruck over the fish.

They handed out a free book on the way out, and Katie couldn't hardly put it down. She especially liked reading the "Mission" of the Houston Zoo. She needed help with some of the words, but she seemed to think it was pretty neat that they had a "mission." Too funny!

In Hermann Park, the girls enjoyed playing in this piece of modern art and rolling down the big hill!


While we were there, the moment felt right to tell the girls that we're going to Disney World this summer! They were very excited!!!!!!!!!!

After we left the zoo, we met a friend & her son for dinner. We then headed to the mall to buy Gracie some new shoes then came home to relax and get ready for bed. It was a long, but fun day. (started by Chris spending some time at work....glad he got that over with first!) The girls spent some time reading from the Bible, then we talked about it. I love this picture of Katie reading with Gracie close by for when she needs help.

Falcon of the Week

Today starts Katie's week as "Falcon of the Week" for her class at school. She was, and has been, so excited about this! Today, she got to take her "All About Me" book to share with her class. Wednesday, she gets to take a special "Show & Tell," and Friday, she gets to bring the "estimation jar" filled with something, so her classmates can guess how many are in there.

Here is her "All About Me" book.



These pages of her book showed some of her favorite things. Her favorite t.v. show is "Phineas & Ferb." Her favorite movie is "Toy Story 1." Her favorite thing to eat is brownies.

Her favorite thing to do with her family is eat outside. Her favorite color is pink, yellow, & purple.

Her favorite thing about church is singing songs, and her favorite thing about school is recess.

I loved this little Valentine's Day activity she did. (Click on it to make it larger.) They used conversation heart candy to write sentences. I thought that was really cute.
"So fine me mommy." I asked her about this sentence. She said, "You know. Like when you're playing Hide & Seek and I 'fine' you." LOL
"I lost my boy." "Don't tell on me." "This is a awesome day I had." "Gotcha Gracie." "U go girl ir osum." (You go girl, you're awesome.) "Just one mommy."

Gracie has been working hard on her Bible Bowl study materials for LTC. She is also participating in drama again and chorus for the first time, along with scrapbooking & I think artwork. I think she is really enjoying chorus and seems to respond really well to her teachers, a young married couple. She was anxious to listen to the cd "Mrs. Clelyn" had made for them to listen to to learn the different parts of the songs. I know she's enjoying the other things as well.


Sweet Ellie. Man, she looks innocent in this picture. Do not be fooled! LOL
I love her "little" legs in this picture! She's my cute chunkalunk!

Children's Museum of Houston

Probably my favorite Christmas gift for this year was receiving Family Passes for the year to the Children's Museum of Houston and to the Houston Zoo. We were supposed to go out of town this weekend to visit friends in the Dallas area. Due to all the snow they got, we decided it would be safer to stay home. I was a bit bummed about missing our fun with our friends, so we decided to do something fun today in non-snowy, but chilly, Houston.

Gracie & Katie painted their faces. Gracie is just old enough that she was embarrassed when we stopped somewhere else on the way home.

G&K climbed down this contraption. It looked scary to me. I warned Katie that if she got in it, she was getting out of it on her own. We were not climbing in there to save her!


Rock climbing!

Our little architects.


I'm sure this water section is a huge hit in the summer when it's 100 degrees outside. It was a bit chilly today but really not too bad.

Ellie brushing the puppy in the vet clinic.

All 3 girls created masterpieces in the art gallery.

Katie especially enjoyed shopping in the market.


Daddy got his blood pressure checked in the ambulance.

Driving the police car.


Budgeting her money.

It was a fun day!