Jesse & the Giant Elephant (at Pgh Zoo) 

BIRTHDAY BONANZA

It was a crazy, busy weekend! It started out soggy but warmed and dried up. The picnic party was filled with food, fun, friends and family. My clown of a hubby made attempts at making balloon animals for the kids and we ended up with a decapitated pinata (via cane thrashing). Below you'll find some shots from our wild day posted here for you to check out.

The long awaited gift! 

Kitty? 

Attack! 

"THE" Girl :) 

Keeping an eye on her :) 

Get Grandpa! 

Pinata Madness 

Birthday #7 

Missing Tooth #2 

Zoo Road Trip

Yesterday we ventured out to the Cleveland Metropolitan Zoo (about 2 hr drive). Aside from forgetting our camera and suncreen, we enjoyed the adventure -albeit a HOT one- as there was lots to take in. We attended a couple of shows and saw some animals "our zoo" does not have including a koala bear, anteater, wolves, and a bald eagle. They have a "Touch" feature where we got to put our hands in a big pool area to feel different kinds of sting rays and sharks which was pretty neat also. Although the pictures weren't of high quality, I finally have a working phone to capture at least a few shots. Eric enjoyed his camel ride, but chose a very large "Pittsburgh" snake as a souvenir. Jesse does not like camels so the ride wasn't even a consideration and he chose a very soft pink stingray named "Pinky". It seems that we're in for another very hot day and as I can affectionately be called "Pinky" myself now from the sun that I got (or that got me more than anyone else), I don't mind leading a sheltered life today -inside and cool - if not, at a pool!

Boys & Bald Eagle 

Elephant peek 

Eric rides a CAMEL! 

VBS Update

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church. All THREE boys participated. Jon was in (co-)charge of recreation and the boys were in separate groups (probably a good thing). They had Fiesta (themed) fun all week with a finale performance Thursday evening with a few pictures showing this here. They sang and danced very well and the slide show presentation captured a lot of fun moments. This week the boys are off to "grandparents camp" out in central PA. The parent camp has been pretty lazy so far being on holiday but hope to accomplish at least a few things around home in the meanwhile. We'll have more updates soon! Happy July (already!) to you :)

Our New Little Star! 

Show Boy! 

Where's Crownovers? 

GROSS GARDENING

Yesterday was yet another garden day. I finally moved some of our “crops” to their final plots in our little garden area. I had originally planted some red corn there and thought that the birds had eaten all of our seed. I was surprised to find quite a few sprouts actually scattered about so I moved them all to one end making four rows of about 30 plants. The boys and I weeded the bed and then planted the beans and peas that I had already started in containers. We had so many peas that I also placed some of them beside the house as there was no room left in our small, side plot. I had not realized that peas do best when planted early (in cooler weather) so we’ll see how the ones by the house do compared to the plants that are more out in the open. We also have a few carrots, some potatoes and even some renegade pumpkin plants from seeds that survived composting and sprouted. I moved the pumpkins to a place where they can have a lot of room and will only keep the best looking vine after another week or two.

While preparing the side plot and moving the corn I discovered a 6-7 inch stinkhorn (I’ve also heard of them being called “stinking phallus,” I’ll let you figure out why). This is a yucky, stinky, slimy fungus that grows on buried, dead wood. It is not poisonous however and poses no threat the plants or people. It just really stinks!

Later when I was digging a hole in which to transplant the pumpkins I dug up the larval cicada seen below. Of course I rushed to show it to Eric who, surprisingly, was less impressed than I thought he would be. Cicada larva live underground, sucking the juices from tree and plant roots until they mature and tunnel to the surface to litter and make lots of noise.

That’s all the updates for now. On one of the next sunny days I’ll take some pictures of our plants to share.

A stinking WHAT?

A nearly matured cicada larva.

Extra Leg Room? 

BLOW OUT

I'm not so sure that I can truly give this story its due justice as it was just quite the sight. We did have a busy weekend with our Friday Fiesta, going to see Cars on Saturday and then to a waterpark, Sandcastle, on Father's Day. The boys had fun in the smaller pools and huge lazy river. Jon decided to attempt the most intimidating slide they had which basically had a high drop straight down like a roller coaster. After exiting this and meeting back up with us, we discussed how the force would effect the position of your bathing suit (being the reason I would not be willing to try it). As Jon reached to his side to adjust his trunks, we noticed that they were ripped all the way up the seam. It was a good thing he only attempted this feat once or who knows if anything would have been left. It was just hilarious. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard (with tears coming to my eyes) and our little ones do give us many laughs often. Now, he was about due for a new suit as we had discussed on vacation, but this sealed (or unsealed as it appeared) that deal!

The Mariachi Band? 

Pinata Headgear? 

Fiesta Friday's Pinata 

Making Toady(2) Feel at Home 

Toady, the 2nd 

ROAD TRIP NORTH

The boys and I headed to Erie early Saturday to spend the day with family. We went to the zoo for "equipment day." There were lots of babies - naked mole rats, warthogs, kangaroo, ducklings and orangutan. It was a bit breezy but nice day to keep moving around to check everything out. Later, we went over to my brother's house to visit him too and the kids played in the yard. Finally, we met "Aunt Sue" at Eat n'Park before heading back home. The boys fell asleep before we were 10 miles down the highway from a busy but fun-filled day.

Today, there was a church picnic basket auction. We were in charge of the lemonade stand and purchased a "Fiesta Fun" basket with lots of Mexican goodies. We've even decided to share the wealth and throw a small Fiesta this Friday having some friends over. We've each been assigned our tasks so we'll see how it turns out. I bet we'll all be ready for a siesta by the time it's over. We'll be sure to update you more later on that.

Jesse & Aunt Sue 

Yard Racers