Sacramento Zoo

While in Sacramento, I was able to visit with a good friend over lunch and then meet up with the boys and my mom for a trip to the zoo! The boys had a blast.

We had to stop and measure wingspan.

I love that they weren't quite tall enough to keep their hands out of the hole!

I wish I'd had my own camera along for this one! My mom had her camera, but I think for this one, we needed 2 photographers to catch the different angles. The boys had the opportunity to feed giraffes! It was so cool! They went and paid for it while my mom and I stood and supervised.

The look on Matt's face was incredible as the giraffe took the leaves from him. See, 2 perspectives needed...

Jonathan was cracking up at the giraffe's tongue the whole time.

They just weren't connecting, so the giraffe problem solved when he realized Jonathan just wasn't going to get him the leaves above the railing.

Checking out the zebras.

What?

The zookeeper has grown extra shoulders and arms where only his head should be!

Next to the giraffes, this tractor proved to be the most interesting part of the zoo. We used a few quarters for them to ride in it, and then they just amused themselves for quite a while without any movement. It was great!

There were some great sharing moments during their playtime in the tractor. They convinced each other to ride along, took turns, and genuinely had fun with each other. There were a few minor rough patches, but all in all, it was nice to sit back and watch two brothers that like each other and enjoy each other's company!

Partying with 5th Cousins

While in Sacramento, we were invited to a birthday party! The boys couldn't pass it up, plus it meant some quality time with some extended family. Turns out we determined the kids were 5th cousins. They've seen each other only a few times, and their cousins are both girls, but it was like they had known each other forever. They played all out all day long!

Matt loved hanging with the big kids in the pool.

A pool noodle and super-sized water gun made him smile!

Jonathan was a bit more hesitant with the big pool and took advantage of the kiddie pool that was set up outside the pool area.

Luckily, there was another boy in the bunch. Carter, for whom the kiddie pool was set up, joined in the fun of the ball toss over the fence.

Gracie is a lot like her namesake, loving, caring, and motherly with the boys. She was always making sure Jonathan was involved, happy and playing the right way!

Carter and Jonathan tried a little catch.

Getting more comfortable in the pool!

Jonathan gave up on the pool for a bit and went bouncing!

Then Matt decided it would be fun to run full force into the wall where I stood.

Cake time!!!

A pinata!

Matt put a nice hole in the side of it and freed the candy!

The boys went right to bed that night! They were worn out with birthday and family fun!

Spending time with Grandma

When in Sacramento, ice cream at Burr's is a necessity. So we went with my mom and the boys and headed over there.

Post ice cream, pre sugar rush Matt

Jonathan was still working hard on his sundae, and his ice cream spills on his shirt.

Play time at the park!

So happy going down the slide!

My mom took the boys to the park one day while I enjoyed a leisurely lunch with an old friend. They seemed to love the time alone with their Grandma!

Grandma turns 89!

In late June, the boys and I jumped in the car for a short 8 hour drive to honor someone very special, my grandmother! It was her 89th birthday, and she is the only one of her generation on either side of my family. She's such a special lady for both me and Nick. We just had to celebrate her birthday with her. Unfortunately, Nick couldn't join us, but we represented well. My mom requested any and all of her cousins to join us for a lunch, as well as my aunt and uncle. We surprised her, not only with the amount of family joining us for lunch, but the fact that the boys and I were there. The hug was priceless that day!

My mom's cousin Susan and her husband Chuck

My mom, her cousin Bruce and his wife Kathy, who gave me a warm welcome and a place to stay once when I had a patient receiving therapy not too far from their house.

The restaurant brought Grandma a big sundae and Gracie (my cousin Kara's daughter, named after my niece) was on hand in case she wanted to share!

I think she was a little overwhelmed, but seemed to enjoy the lunch.

She took a bite...

And then shared with her great grandchildren and what we determined was their 5th cousins. I think the kids were grateful!

I've never seen children share so well!

Me, Grandma and photo-bomber Gracie!

She is such a ham! Jonathan was not happy with me holding someone other than him.

We had a great time with everyone and a good visit with Grandma during our few days in town. She's such a sweet woman, and pretty funny when she wants to be! Love her!!!

Window Art

While unpacking and starting my new life as a stay at home mommy, I have gone through my OT supplies, and the boys are reaping the benefits instead of the trunk of my car! They love all of the seemingly new toys.

One day I gave them the window crayons and let them go to town on the back door.

Instead of squirt bottles for the cleaning, they opted for their new water guns!

Oh the colorful drips...

They had so much fun spraying and watching the colors.

End of Year Party

The day after our last game and fabulous party at the Davises house, we had "Closing Day" of the baseball season. The teams paraded to pick up their trophies and the coaches handed them to the well-deserving, hard-working, fun-loving kids!

Here are the boys going to pick up the box of trophies.

Such a great team! The parents on our team were great too!

Those Phillies grew a lot during the season and many new friendships were formed.

Jonathan joined in, sitting with the team while they distributed trophies.

Our baseball lover receiving his trophy!

Luckily we had one player absent, so Jonathan got to hold his briefly so he wasn't left sitting in the grass alone. He longs to play, but is 2 years from being age appropriate!

Our team was full of energy and personality!

Occasionally they got a bit silly...

Matt had a blast, gained some friends along the way, and reinforced his love of baseball! I think next week will be rough as baseball season comes to an end, and he has to endure his first off season as a true fan of the game.