Visit a Zoo Day 2015

Who new there was such a day?  Not that we needed another reason to visit, but there really is a Visit the Zoo Day.  Im super bummed that we wont be able to go today.  We have so many other errands to run, but we went 3 times this month so, I think I will live.  I think.

So since I can't go to the zoo, I'm going to share some of my most favorite memories and photos of our many trips. And not just to the San Antonio Zoo, but a few others too! Just a little warning, there will be snakes, probably a few at that..

I don't remember my first visit to the Zoo.  The story goes something a little like this.  I was still little, Dad said about 3 or 4 and we were at the Albuquerque Zoo.  Dad set me up on the ledge of the python enclosure and the poor think must have thought I was lunch because Im told he came up to the glass and was tracking me as I walked back and forth along the ledge. Figure that is where my love/hate relationship with snakes originated. The Zoo, well animals for that matter, were our thing.  He always made a point to visit one where ever we went.

This is one of my most favorite photos.  I'm not sure which Zoo though.



I knew that someday I would have kids and prayed that they would love animals as much as I do.  Boy did I get lucky.  Ant has practically grown up in the San Antonio Zoo. And Lex has been going since he was in my belly if that counts.

I love finding photos like these. I wasn't kidding when I said he grew up here!





I spotted this sweet baby at the San Diego Zoo in 2012. Or was it Houston?  I can't remember!



This is one of my top 5 favorites at the San Antonio Zoo.



I believe this is Bentley the Black Bear.



Pretty in Pink.



 Another one of my top 5 favs.



The Sun Bear looks is such an odd looking guy!



Acting lazy like we dont know shes the fastest one here!



Flo the Grizzly in 2008.



We found this guy at the Houston Zoo in 2011.



I love taking my boys to the Zoo, but when my whole family goes, we look like a tour group! There were 17 of us and only 7 were adults.  It was a few days after we said good by to day but us older kids had such great memories with him at that very same Zoo.



Well that got a lot longer than expected.  I ended up taking a trip down memory lane.  I know I have pictures from a few other Zoos somewhere but I could not find them. Tampa, Honolulu and somewhere in New England that I can't remember. Boo.  Ill have to dig em up.

When was the last time you visited the zoo?  Do you have a favorite animal?  

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Wordless Wednesday: Welcome Home Brother!

So incredibly proud of the man you have become.  This trip has proven that even if we go weeks without talking and months without seeing each other, you are still one of my best friends! 

 

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Weekend Adventures: O.P. Schnabel Park

The weather has been amazing this weekend.  Much better than the past few rainy and gloomy days we had last week.  So there is no way we were gonna miss out on enjoying the sunshine.  We packed up and headed out to our favorite spot.  O.P Schnabel Park has been our go to park for a few years now.  Its close to the house and has a lot to offer.  Trails, parks, picnic areas, basketball courts and the YMCA.

First we walked. And walked and walked.  This boy was so excited to lead us into the woods!  If he could have it his way we would never follow a paved path.  This same kid also led us down a path that turns out to go back to the main road.  2 miles later a nice man that was running by happened to hear us trying to figure out where we were headed and we turned around and headed back.  

We took on of the many unpaved paths back.  We love exploring down by the stream.  There is a rock pile that the boys claim will be the perfect picnic spot next time!  We were looking for deer and bunnies but I'm pretty sure they were all hiding from us.  The boys have yet to master the art of being quiet and observing.

Of course we had to stop to skip some rocks.  This lead to muddy shoes and wet jeans but to see the joy on this kids face when his rock skipped 5 whole times was worth more than a years worth of laundry!  Alex is the master of the 1 skippers and big splashes.  Im pretty sure when I do their laundry, I will find flat rocks in their pockets for next time.

Next we were headed to the playground.  But first we stopped to check out this super cool stick fort.  I remember seeing the beginning of this on our last trip but I think people are just adding to it as they pass by. I know we did.  There is even a stump in the middle of it to sit on!

We were all pretty drained after our almost 5 mile walk so this happened.  The Chamoy City Limits truck was out and to exciting to pass up.  We got the Dreamsicle.  And between the 5 of us, we still couldn't finish it.  Plus when I was eating it, a wasp decided to have some too.  They were everywhere for some reason. Probably just enjoying the weather like the rest of us.  Be sure to check out the Chamoy City Limits of FB and see where they will be next!

We love the new playground!  The old one had metal slides that would burn your bottom like crazy during the summer.  They have this spinning thing that you stand on and someone spins you.  Alex loved it of course. Because he is crazy like that.  Anthony mostly enjoyed these rings.  And we got to see his 3rd grade teacher who was out enjoying the day with her family too.

We love going to the park but hope to add a few new parks to the list this year.  Do you have a favorite park? What do you look for in a park?  We need more than a park.  That's why we love OP.  There is so much to do and explore that the boys never get bored.  Its one of the few times we let our 5 more minute warning turn into an hour later!

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San Antonio Aquarium. Hands on Fun!

The boys and I were invited out to a sneak peek of the new San Antonio Aquarium a few nights before it opened.  I was also lucky enough to go back on opening day, with no kids!  And I am super excited to go back again.  I love all things related to the ocean.  I was practically raised in one.  So what sets this aquarium apart for any other one I've been to.  You can touch just about everything.  If you have kids, you have probably had to ask them to stop touching things.  Like a million times.  But here, if they want to stick their hands in the shark tank, they can.  If if they want to touch the big iguana, they can.  My boys have been talking about it for days.

It might take some time before they are ready, but its not every day you get to pet a shark.



Once they have the hang of it, they won't want to stop.



After studying and touching the tortoise he said "Look mom, there is no glass.  You cant touch almost everything!"

Thankfully this guy is in a covered tank, because he is one of the few you do NOT want to touch!

The staff was super helpful and had all kinds of cool information for the kids. Here they were discussing Ziggys third eye.

So here is one thing I have touched before.  Granted the first time mostly it was the octopus that did the touching and it grabbed on to my leg while I tried to run away on the reef.  This guy shook my hand with a firm grip but let go.  Such a gentleman!



This guy is Iggy.  He is bigger than his friend Ziggy.  And he was just hanging out on his boat enjoying some lunch.  No glass walls here! How cool is he!



Got snakes?  We met Buttercup this morning and I never thought I would be so excited to hold a snake.  Its pretty amazing to feel their muscles squeeze.

Not a reptile person? How about birds? There are little ones.



And there are big ones!  Take your pick! King Louis here is quite a cutie!



The Aquarium is open now but there are still a few things in the works.  I cant wait to revisit again once its all done. I am very sure we will be back before then too.  There is a bounce house area and a section for the little ones. And there are Dinosaurs up top.  They move and make noise so be sure you don't miss them either.

I'm not sure how much longer they will be on sale but for now memberships are 50% off and can be used to visit both the Austin and Portland Aquariums too!  Click HERE to buy yours today!  There are also some great activities that you and your family can enjoy.  I know I am going to be snorkeling with the stingrays but if you prefer to stay dry, there is also an octopus encounter that looks like fun too.  Maybe stay the night and sleep with the sharks?  You can even have your birthday party there.  There is so much fun to be had here. And you will want to come back again and again.  I know we will!

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Happiness is ______ {2014-W19} #happinessis Birthday Edition :)

OK I'm a day late...again...BUT yesterday was a very special day so I was a little busy.  My baby turned 9. Its his last year in single digits and I may or may not be a bag of mixed emotions.

Anthony is my oldest.  My strong willed, stubborn, sensitive, kind, and jealous little boy. On any given day, we bump heads and make up a dozen times.  And even though he is growing up he still melts in my hugs and gives me a kiss every day before he gets on the bus to school.  He is my happiness.

Happiness is his strength.  From the minute he was born this kid was a fighter.  This was actually the first picture I saw of him that a nurse took for me when she took him to the NICU.  Even the doctors were amazed at how quickly he gained strength and was able to come home.

Happiness is all the mornings we spent at the park.  He loved the see saw.  I would lift it just until his feet couldnt touch and he would squeal with excitement!

Happiness is knowing that even from a young age he was just as fascinated with animals as much as I am.  All shapes and sizes.  No fear just pure curiosity.

Happiness is selfies.  If this kid gets a hold of you camera or phone, 90% of the time you will find a photo like this in there.  And 99% of the time it will make you smile :)

Happiness is the excitement of Kindergarten and me being ok with it.  As a baby this kid was insanely shy. He would cry when someone waved at him.  But on that first day of Kinder, he put on his bravest face, walked to his desk and never looked up at me.  Hes been loving school ever since.

Happiness is a reckless little brother.  They would roll on this car down the driveway for hours.  And I didn't have the heart to stop them because OMG they were actually playing together and laughing! But the time they got to the end of the driveway they would be laughing so hard they couldn't breath!  

Happiness is the second day off the bus.  The first day, he got off at the wrong stop but the second day, he was so happy to see me there waiting for him.  And I was happy to see him get off.  Even if he so kindly waited so he could be the last one!  Stinker!

Happiness is a vacation. Any vacation.  This boy loves to travel.  Mostly he just loves to stay in hotels. But the trip to Austin was filled with Splash Pads and rolling down the lawn of the Capital.  To this day he still brings it up!  

Happiness is just letting his guard down and having fun with his pesky little brother.  These days he is a little less patient with Alex so moments like this, where I can still hear them screaming and laughing, are extra special.

Happiness is his first 5K.  With very special friends!  I see a few more runs in his future!

Happiness is a glimpse of the man he will be.  There are great things just waiting for this kid and I know he will do great things.  Cliche I know.  But he will.  

Big things come in small packages.  That what I have been telling myself since I was little.  And now I tell this to him on almost a daily basis.  He is tiny but he has a big heart.  He is stubborn but he is thoughtful.  He has a temper but he cares so deeply.  He is in a rush to grow up but still insists on holding my hand. 

Happy Birthday Anthony.  I love you to the moon and back.  And yes, Im taking you with me because Id never leave you behind.  

Never a dull moment with this kid :)

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