Birthday at the Zoo

Thursday was Charis' birthday. We spent the morning at the house, and while I was on the phone trying to make some doctor's appointments, the girls were busy. While on the phone I heard them say, "Mom, the wood chips write on the ground!" I thought they were talking about the bark we have around the swing set. Nope.

They meant the charred wood from the firepit.






And it draws on more than just the ground ...



So then we got ready to go to the zoo. But first Charis had to model her new earrings.




And her new-to-her dress.




I love our zoo. I especially love the giraffe exhibit. So does Esther.

I don't think Esther is afraid of any animal. Oh wait, I take that back. Moths.

Did I mention that I LOVE the giraffe exhibit at our mountain zoo? And I love that they present the best poses just for me!

And the docents let the kids pet the wallaby joeys.

Charis and Zoe decided they wanted to feed the birds rather than the giraffes this time, so they each bought a stick with seed for the "Budgie Buddies."

Zoe gives her offering in the Budgie Buddies room in the Australia area of the zoo.

What a beaut!

Charis is excited she got a bird to eat the seed off her stick.

Then it was off to the carousel ...

The girls ...

think the carousel ...

is the best part of the day.

I personally love the "Rocky Mountain Wild" area.

And him ...

That doesn't look comfortable. But that's the first time I've seen the porcupine off his tree perch.

And them ...

The grizzlies put on quite a show.

One of the grizzlies smashed her face against the glass.

Just hangin' around.

Then it was off to the great apes area.

This male orangutan was giving kisses to certain girls. He really liked Esther.

Let's take a pretty picture of you three in the garden area.

Okay. Let's try it without the hats.


Uh, okay. Maybe not.

After the zoo we went to Red Robin for dinner (gotta love those birthday coupons!).

The ice cream cometh.

Ahhh. Free dessert. And they're sharing!

Charis' Birthday Week Continues

My parents bought a new bike for Charis for her birthday, which was a good thing since her other one was WAY too small.

We went to two Walmarts before we could fine one in stock (and it still had to be assembled). When we got home Mark and his dad were taking off the training wheels and noticed there was no kickstand. So Mark's mom and I took the bike back to Walmart the next day to have it put on. We were told that bikes under 18" do not come with kickstands. They have training wheels. So we had to buy a kickstand (actually two, because Zoë would need one, too).





Charis and her new Disney Princesses bike.


So now each of the girls has a two-wheeler bike.

We put the training wheels back on Zoë's even though she can ride without them. But she doesn't want to. And she can't stop. In fact, last week she cranked the handlebars to the side instead of stopping, which flipped her off her bike, injuring her hand and her face. Unfortunately, it also flipped Mark, who was trailing her, injuring his wrist. He didn't work a couple days last week (told not to if he wasn't at 100%), and had to go to the doctor Monday because it was still swollen and in a lot of pain. He has a severely sprained wrist, with possibly a hairline fracture, and will be off work the rest of this week.

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On Monday, we went to see Toy Story 3. It was Esther's and Zoë's first time at a movie theater, and they both did really well! Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Eyberg for a wonderful day!


Everyone was loaded up with popcorn and soda.


Zoë and Charis both were a little scared during some parts of the movie, but there are some pretty dramatic scenes.

Then after the movie, I had the girls change into their swimsuits to play in the fountain outside the theater. It's so wonderful this is available!


Zoë totally got into it!

Charis tried to run through without getting wet. She finally did -- some.

All the girls having fun. I put a swim cap on Esther since she still has the flat-ironed hair (and I want to keep it that way as much longer as I can).

Taking a break and warming up.

Charis does not like getting her face wet.

Charis' Carnival Celebration

We had Charis' party the weekend before her 6th birthday. My friend Melissa, whose twin girls' birthday is a few days before Charis' birthday, asked us to celebrate Charis' big day with them, too, since they always do a big bash (the dad's birthday is the same day as Charis', too).


But before the party, the girls had to have a game of Twister.








Melissa took care of the majority of the planning and preparations for the carnival-style party. I took care of the cakes. All four of them.

Brenna asked for chocolate cake with vanilla icing. The cakes are 1/4 sheets (9x13) and the princesses are color flow.

Alexis wanted chocolate cake with chocolate icing.

Charis wanted strawberry cake with strawberry icing.

Randy's cake was vanilla cake with chocolate icing. We all joked I should have made a princess to go on his, too! (Carol finished up the border on this one for me while I went to do the million things I needed to accomplish!)

At the party there were balloons, a popcorn machine, games ...

And caricature drawings ...

Charis waits patiently as Emily has her caricature drawn.

And face painting ...

Esther went subtle with a flower on the cheek. All the other children did full-face images.

We laughed that Zoë's butterfly looked more like a voodoo mask.

There was a ring toss game ...

And potato sack races ...

Alexis, Charis, Brenna and Autumn prepare for the big race.

Esther "won" the potato sack race for the group of girls who wanted to participate. I say "won" because she got to the line first, but didn't know to cross it!

Can't forget the photo banner!

I think we'll join the circus after the kids go to college.

And cake ... lots and lots of cake ...

Charis, Brenna and Alexis -- all turning 6 -- blow out the candles on their cakes.

Our caricatures:

Charis' caricature.

Esther's picture.

I think Zoë's picture really captured her sassitude.

Mark's parents, Wendell and Carol.

Ours. One of the partygoers said mine makes me look like Felicity Huffman. I guess I have a new doppelgänger for Facebook!