Birthday Weekend Trip to the Zoo

The day after Liam's birthday movie trip we went to the zoo, something we have traditionally done around his birthday.

 Throwing pennies and making wishes.

 I think Liam wished for good presents.

 Traditional polar bear shot.

 Only one polar bear was visible and it was napping.  No idea where the babies were.

 Stopped for an early lunch.

 The train.  Waiting in line was hard for Devin.  Then he couldn't see much, but refused to let me hold him.  He kept saying, "I want to sit the train!"

 He also was not really into the momarazzi.

 Random art shot.

 Liam likes to climb onto the statues.  It was pretty busy and Devin was waiting, so this was a little rushed.

 These birds, with amazingly long tail feathers, seemed to have trouble flying.

 Don't remember what he was saying.

 The new aquarium is still very popular.  Devin paid a lot of attention to the fish.

 Liam had been waiting all day for the opportunity to pet the rays.  He had to wait through a pretty long line.  Devin had no patience for it, so he and I went back to looking at the tanks while Allen and Liam did the petting thing.  Just as well as they don't recommend that toddlers partake.

 We're starting to be a little wilted by this point.

 The reptile house was a little cooler.  At least they had some fans.  I'm not sure if Devin's suspicious look has anything to do with the huge crocodile he was looking at.

Liam's Birthday Movie Trip

For Liam's seventh birthday he went with three friends to see the movie "Shaun the Sheep."

 Liam:  My friends names are Jonah, Roger and Owen.

 Liam:  We are eating ice cream.  It is awesome!

 Liam:  This is after the movie.

 Liam:  Devin got ice cream too.  Rachel:  He did not go to the movie.  Considering that these three boys didn't know each other before this outing they had plenty to talk about and laughed lots together.

Poor Allen got a migraine during the movie, but he hung in there.

 I was there for the ice cream part too. 

I just can't resist this classic ice cream picture.

Minecraft Legos.  Thanks!

 Ninja Legos!  Thanks!

Roger made his own card. Thanks!

Devin ate ice cream, then played in dirt. He also wanted lots of hugs.

We didn't have any activities planned, but the boys managed to spend lots of time running, wrestling, hiding and chasing.  Liam says, "After the ice cream we played and ran up and down the hill."

The County Fair

Around here the fair is always right around Liam's birthday and shortly before school starts.  I love the feeling of being connected to the community that I get at the fair.  Also, we live in an agricultural area, but the boys don't get to see it very often.  Mostly, for Liam at least, it's really all about rides.

 He likes to look at displays in the Fine Arts building.  I do too.

 Devin on the other hand, felt that we should keep moving.

 The cow barn was loud.  Fans, cows mooing.  The boys were a little uncomfortable.

 For some reason the pig barn was quieter.  Devin was starting to get into the animal viewing.

 The  baby animal barn is always fun, even if the pony was not actually a baby.

 See, I was actually there.

 Friends who are showing animals make it fun.

 A turtle was inside the aquarium.  Devin was happy to be out of the stroller.

 Another fun chance to get out of the sun and out of the stroller.  This building is not usually open when we happen to be there.

 Ferris wheel with Daddy.  No Daddy pics, but he did his stint in the middle of the day when the sun was cruel.  I took Devin home so he could (theoretically) take a nap.

 Met up with some friends for rides, which made it even more fun.  Unfortunately they are starting to outgrow the kiddy rides, but not yet tall enough for the really daring ones.

 This ride was Liam's favorite.  He went down it several times, in spite of the line.