The Dallas Zoo

Some friends had a great idea with the beautiful weather this week to head to the Dallas Zoo. So, I mustered up the energy to go with the two little ones yesterday and it proved to be a great outing. Even though our friends didn't show until we had been there a few hours, we had so much fun even by ourselves.

Drake and Dilan as we entered the zoo

(it was 80 degrees outside so I know my mom will be proud I remembered Drake's hat!)

Dilan in front of the elephant statue

Look at that little boy's grin -he is so precious!!!

The elephants were so accessible, you could see everything they were doing

The Lion on top of the rock

Coolest zoo exhibit ever! This was set up so the last part of this jeep is a place were the lion can sit and rest and the front part of the jeep is a place kids can sit and pretend to drive (separated by the glass of course). When we got there, the lion was sitting in it but Dilan wasn't really too keen on taking her turn in the driver's seat. No matter, it was an awesome shot anyway!

Giraffe feeding! You can buy lettuce leaves to feed them so they get very close.

Drake watching the giraffes

This was also neat - the giraffes were mixed with the zebras and some ostriches too!

The best part of our fun were the penguins and seeing them this close. This lone penguin loved the attention he was getting by swimming so close to the glass. The kids were going crazy and Dilan was following him everywhere. It was so cute!

She also liked the big coy pond.

Drake had fun petting the goats - it was just like grabbing Beva's fur at home! He also got knocked over by a few goats because it was feeding time. :)

Dilan's had her first pony ride! When we saw them, she immediately said she wanted to do it and so we did some other things first just to make sure. When we were leaving, she mentioned the ponies again so I had to go back and let her try her first pony ride. She loved it and was very soothed by the calm of the horse. A definite memory!!!

Drew loses his second tooth!

Drew lost his second tooth on Sunday (first bottom one). I noticed how loose it was at church in the morning and David suggested to Drew that he have me pull it out. Drew only trusts me to do this so he came over and I told him I would try once and if it came out, great, but if not, no worries. He grabbed a napkin so I could have traction on the tooth. First time I pulled slowly and up and it didn't come but the attempt didn't hurt Drew so he let me try again. This time, I pulled straight up and fast and sure enough, it came out! Drew was SO happy and got a gold dollar coin that night from the tooth fairy.

Valentine's Day 2012

Valentine's Day was so much fun this year. I remember when I was young that my mom would always leave some sort of Valentine treat/gift and card in my bathroom so I found it there when I woke up. She always took the day to remind us that we were loved. So in talking to a friend, I decided to get each of the kids a treat and a new book for Valentine's Day. I picked out the treats and David picked out the kids' books. Drew is now reading chapter books so he got the first two books of the A to Z Mystery series and a big bag of m&ms. Dilan got a new big Princess book that she absolutely loves and a big package of gum (which she prefers over anything). And Drake got a new book called, How Do I Love You?, and he really liked it too.

Drew's Valentine's party did not allow for siblings to attend. So, we chose to go to lunch with Drew, bring him a McDonald's happy meal and his favorite cookies to share with his friends. It was a great idea because after school, he told me that it was okay I couldn't come to his party because I had come to lunch instead and how much he had enjoyed it.

When David got home, he had brought two dozen red roses - one dozen for me and one for Dilan. She was especially pleased with the flowers and kept picking one rose each day to carry around with her everywhere.

Here's a picture of me, my precious kids and the pretty flowers. Yes, Dilan had de-clothed by this time of the night.

Here's the picture I took of Dilan with the roses on my phone

Drew and some of his classmates at his Valentine's party (his teacher took this picture). The girl on the very left was the girl he wrote a letter to in class telling her she was pretty. Yes, I almost died when he told me this. But I have to say, he has very good taste because she is delightful!

Sea Life Aquarium

For Dilan's birthday weekend, we took the kids to the Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine. They loved looking at all the fish, sharks, sting rays, jelly fish, and sea horses especially because they've been watching the new cartoon called Octonauts and learning all about what lives in the ocean.

The kids are fascinated with crabs and their pinchers

Dilan with a school of fish - they seem to gather wherever she is!

A neat place for kids - standing on top of see-through glass to see the fish below

Drake and the sting rays

The kids cave was a lot of fun

Shark tunnel

The petting part of the aquarium - petting a crab here

Sunday morning my mom left to go back home. It was a great visit - the kids are in heaven when she is here!!!

Dilan Turns 3!

Dilan had such a fun birthday! One of the things she was able to do today was eat peanut butter for the first time. Because David is allergic to nuts, our kids cannot be exposed to them until they are three years old. So, here was Dilan's first peanut butter treat and she liked them. No allergic reaction followed so that is a good sign. We are aiming for no nut allergies (besides David) in our home hopefully.

We waited until David got home from work to open her birthday presents from the family. Thanks to all her extended family for sending cards, calling her, and sending gifts! I wrapped them all as they came in and she had fun opening each one.

Keely and Lars came in town last weekend and gave Dilan the Strawberry Shortcake pillow she has been asking for since before Christmas!!!

We took Dilan to eat out at Chili's for her birthday. She ordered a cheeseburger and fries and dipped them both in Ranch dressing. Yummy!

They brought her a dessert and sang loudly to her - it was a bit overwhelming for her. :)

We went home after dinner and opened presents! First gift from PawDee was a new Strawberry Shortcake movie! She was pretty happy about this.

Then, Drew gave her Raspberry Torte. She has been wanting her since Christmas.

A butterfly-shaped Strawberry Shortcake tin purse from Drake. Drew has one of these that he puts his "treasures" in or his $. So, he immediately got his out and gave Dilan her first dollar. What a sweet brother he is and a generous one too. MawMille was touched by his gesture so she matched Drew's dollar and even threw some change in for Dilan too.

Dilan opened up a Princess Hopper from Uncle Damon, Aunt Amy, Landon and Lacey. Can't wait to see her on this thing!

A Hello Kitty suitcase from MawDee (the last two times we were in Walmart she oohed and awed over these and would roll them around wherever we went. She is excited to have her own pink luggage!)

MawMille and Popo (seen here on Facetime) gave Dilan her Princess DVD player. She loved it and spent a majority of the evening watching a new movie on it with her new pink headphones. She said things like, "Mommy, this movie is beautiful."

Dilan and all her new toys for her 3rd birthday.

Another present from PawDee was the Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cafe - she LOVED it and began playing with it immediately. We joined in on the fun! (can you tell how tired we are???)

Dilan's 3rd Birthday Party!

As a tradition in our family, Dilan woke up to pink balloons all over her room on her third birthday. She was so excited to turn 3 and she couldn't wait for her birthday party!!!

David and Drake at the Ark - the place we had the party

Drew and Dilan sliding down the big slide holding hands

Birthday gifts for the birthday girl

The boys playing on the play structure

Dilan playing

Sliding down the big slide

Family photo

(we dressed in pink and green for Dilan - strawberry shortcake colors!)

Dilan loving her juice box and posing for a picture with her strawberry shortcake birthday cake

I had a friend who makes birthday cakes make this cake for Dilan. She invited me to help and be involved so I had a really fun experience helping to make this amazing cake!

David lighting the candles

LOVE the look on her face when the singing begins

Blowing out the candles

David helping to serve the cake

Dilan and all of her friends at the party

Opening gifts

Dilan was so excited MawMille came for her birthday and was able to go to her party!!!