zoo day with the littles

several weekends ago (procrastinate much?) we took a trip to the zoo with my brother's family. it was benjamin's first real zoo trip. & what better zoo than one of the top ranked in the nation?  while i was pregnant with him, husband took me there for my birthday. there is something that i just love about the zoo. maybe its the animals?

benjmain is still young enough that he didnt care too much about anything that was going on, which is what we expected. but with infants getting in free, i'm down for that. my brothers kids on the other hand had a great time like they always do. their favorite? feeding the birds off sticks.

it was definitely baby weather while we were there, both human and animal. from baby monkeys to the baby giraffes, there was plenty of oohing and aahing going on with us.

whats your favorite animal at the zoo?

mommyhood: the good, the bad, and the ones that have me scratching my head

when i first found out that i was going to have a baby i had to get the popular "what to expect when you're expecting" book, because they have all the answers right. haha yeah, that was a good one. i've learned so many things since having him that make me thinking, "wheres that book?!"

the good:

-easily putting back that super awesome shirt you found to buy him another rattle toy, because he smiles when you shake it.

-the smiles over the simplest things

-the smiles because they recognize you or your voice.

-the coos.

-bathtime and watching him kicks his legs in excitement when he first hits the water.

-snuggling, snuggling, snuggling.

-that moment when you realize hes finally asleep.

the bad:

-how they easily figure out to pinch that thin layer of fat on your neck or arms and hold on like the world is ending. 

-hair pulling

-spit up. oh how it smells.

-the screams because they are hungry. you try to get food as quickly as possible but it never seems fast enough.

-hitting every red light on the way somewhere with a screaming child

-leaky diapers

the head scratchers:

-one second no paci, next second, paci saves the day.

-how quickly diapers and formula disappear. "seriously, didnt i just buy that?"

-how a small little being needs so much luggage. seriously its like moving anytime we go anywhere.

-must get up at 6 to be out of the house by 10 if i'm wanting to look halfway decent.

-how such big boogers come of that little bitty nose.

-how quickly they grow. he's going to be driving any day now.

-you somehow figure out how to one hand everything. eating your own food, getting yourself ready, cooking & my personal favorite driving with one hand and reaching in the backseat to put a paci in his mouth.

and most of all, the best thing ever

-how i could love something so much that i dont know how life existed before him.

what are some of your most favorite, ugliest or head scratching moments of parenthood?

weekend wrap-up: lots o' food & some fun too!

festivals were in full swing this weekend around the metroplex // husband and i found us a new & closer nursery to visit

red velvet cake w/ cream cheese frosting ice cream // a bottle cap doesnt have to tell me twice

a super drool worthy hamburger at a birthday party // outdoor dining was a must have yesterday after some crazy shopping at a grand opening

roxanne had a check up saturday. it went beyond well. she's gained three pounds since her near death experience and has decided that army crawling is the way to travel just about anywhere.

color crushing much?? mint green and french pink are super gorgeous so why not put them together??

how was your weekend?  do anything exciting?

chuga chuga. chuga chuga. choo choo!

pictures - some are mine - some are from weheartit

something about trains fascinates me.  whether its the clicking along on the tracks, the blowing of the horn, or the train cars themselves, i always fell captured by their simplicity.  zooming down the tracks, hauling anywhere from cars to food to living beings, the thought always crosses my mind of what their destination may be. and of course all the things they have seen along their trip.

my drive home from work, i pass over two rail tracks within just a few miles of our house.  and the major train station for cargo and such is just north of us. we can see all the lights and hear all the sounds of the train world. they are comforting sounds. i can judge when its time for me to leave for work, by the blowing of the train's horn either leaving or entering the station. pretty awesome if you ask me.

we have a train in grapevine that carts people between there and downtown. the trantula, they call it. its pretty whimsical if you ask me. i've ridden once. and have been hoping that husband and i will embark at that little adventure again sometime soon. as the train makes it way from one city to another, a little history lesson is taught about the train itself & you can hear the giggles and excitement from the children waving out the windows to on lookers.

the best part? during the summer months, they have a night time train robbery event. after passengers board and start their way down the tracks, "robbers" ride up on horses and take the train over.  sounds like my cup of tea.  come on summer!

twinkling lights & busy crosswalks

saturday we spent the afternoon & evening with my brother and his wife.  we found ourselves downtown, drinking some cold beers & being silly.  it was a great way to spend a saturday night.

and yes thats an oreo next to my beer. totally random. totally hilarious. but thats for another time.

a birthday of seafood & flowers

saturday we celebrated damon's dad, scott's, birthday.  his birthday is actually thursday, the 29, but weekends are always more convenient for everyone.

we met at big fish on main street for lunch & enjoyed lots of seafood and numerous glasses of ice cold sweet tea. big fish will be making an appearance later this week in the eatery challenge.

after lunch, the twins wanted to go the park to see the fish.  the fish in question were the kois over at the city's botanical garden.  husband and i had never been before and we were amazed at what we had been missing out on. totally gorgeous & totally free.  man, we've been living under a rock. 

so add this to the list of awesome picnic places.

cattle drives + gun fights

sunday we met some friends for a day of food, shopping & people watching.  and the best place to do that??

the fort worth stockyards during spring break. 

husband and i have been there numerous times, but its one of those places that i can visit over and over again and its always fun for me. the food is spectacular.  a little a bit of everything down there.  but if you're a first timer, Risckys BBQ or Steakhouse is the way to go. We prefer the BBQ route, because honestly you can't go wrong with a chopped beef sandwich with a larger than life glass of sweet tea. And for starters, fried pickles seems to be the only way to go anymore. 

after filling our bellies, we headed out for some wandering, shopping, and people watching.  and the stockyards never disappoints. rich culture is something you will always find & if you venture down at the right time, you might find yourself at a rodeo or in the middle of a cattle drive.  oh and "gun fights" are regular, so watch for those too.

and before you leave, dont forget to stop by the candy barrel for all your favorite mouth watering sweets, old and new. 

rollercoasters and christmas lights

during the holidays, i always make it a goal of mine to visit six flags for their holiday in the park. its the only time of year i enjoy going to the park. mainly because of the twinkling lights, 'snow,' and the briskness in the air that hits your face as you speed along in a rollercoaster car.

this year it was special though. we took the dear neice and nephew with us. robert had been in the past, but was not really tall enough for the big kid rides & emilee, well this was her first trip to an amusement park. so we were in for either a great time or a miserable one.

everything turned out for the earlier scenarios. they couldnt have been more thrilled, hoping from ride to ride, enjoying every one. we even managed to get robert to ride his first upside coaster.  it was a moment i wish i could have had on video or camera, but being his accompanying adult, i get to walk away with that everlasting memory. 

can't wait for next year.