Zeke, Karis, Malachi and I went to a super-fun fiesta (I kept messing up and calling it a "siesta" - must have been wishful thinking) hosted by Mrs. Roth & Mrs. Riffle's 2nd grade class. The kids painted newspaper sombreros and ponchos, and set up stations all over the room. Several students stood at each station to tell the "visitors" about different aspects of Mexico. Rachel couldn't have been more excited. We danced, ate chips & salsa, and ended the party with a pinata.
She also got to share some of her own research with bro & sis . . .
When school finally ended, we took a long-awaited trip to Carriage Hill metro park near Dayton, with my sister Hannah and her 3 kiddos. In spite of the downpour we drove through on our way there, the day turned out to be a success, mainly because we still got to stop by the penny candy store before we left. They also loved the farm animals and the old-time school house and kitchen, as usual.
That night we headed to our LIFE group cookout, where we spent a great time with friends both old and new, and Rach & Zekers got to climb a tree, which they LOVE to do. It made me sad because it reminded me that our 2 backyard trees had to be cut down last year due to a disease that we've discovered our front yard tree now has. But I'm glad we have friends who are willing to share their trees. :)
Next up . . . The Cincinnati Zoo. Our membership expires the last of July, so we wanted to squeeze in a few more trips before then. I'm including a picture of our picnic lunch, because it cracks me up that this picture pretty well captures each one's personality. I love it.
One of our favorite features of the zoo is the workers who walk around with different animals that the kiddos can touch and ask questions about.
Feeding the giraffes, who unsuccessfully tried to pry the wafer out of Mr. Moo's hand. I think he secretly wanted it for himself.
Polar bear up close and personal. We even got to witness a fight between 2 of them, over a dead fish.
I can't believe we actually got all of them to sit on a fence at the same time.
When we got back to our van, around 4:00, it said the temp was 96. No wonder the kiddos were red-faced and dripping with sweat. We were definitely thankful for the "mist" areas scattered throughout the zoo. It was a very hot, but nice family day.
