Good day!!
After the swapping of the girls after work I decided that this warm sunny day should not be wasted. Plus there was a going away party for 2 co-workers at 6:30, so if I could kill 4+ hrs I could drop by, w/o an extra 1:15 in the car (which I wouldn't have done, so I would have missed the party. So we headed across town to the zoo, and everywhere you looked people were out enjoying the 80 deg weather. Pale winter bodies laid out on blankets by the lakes, frisbees, dogs being walked, and bikes everywhere!
Well as we approached the rear entrance of the zoo and saw the hordes of children w/ parents enjoying spring break. The child's play area and merry go round were finally open and absolutely swarming. So we drove right on by. Fortunately this wasn't an issue b/c C was sleeping and I hadn't mentioned any plans to her. Pondering what to do I saw the little stone bridge that heads into the Arboretum!
Turned right (along with a bazillion bikers), crossed the bridge and we are instantly not in a city any longer. Drove to a parking area at which point Charlotte woke up. Headed off on a path that the map said led to a spring through a oak heavy woods. No leaves on the trees, and not much greenery yet in the woods, but some little buds of leaves on the lower branches were visible, and there was moss on the rocks. Meandered on the paths for a while showing C fungus on fallen branches and trying to keep K from stopping every 2 feet to grab leaves and toss them in the air. The girls discovered that fallen trees make perfect perches, so for a while we had to sit on every one. Finally C declared that her legs were "exhausted" sat down and asked me to get the car and pick her up. :) We hiked on back to the car and headed over to the more cultivated area to see how the lilac garden was coming. Just the beginnings of leaves, as expected, but there were some daffodils and tulip trees (well, that is what I am calling them ) blooming so we got our flower fix.
Headed back out to civilization to pick up a gift for A's b-day. And since everything takes longer w/ 2 little girls in tow enough time had passed that we headed off to our party.
I sipped on a glorified slurpee (what else would you call a virgin margarita) as we waited for our to go order and chatted. Pedros has this 3 lb burrito which I usually order any time I go. NOT b/c I can eat it all, but b/c it will provide many meals. Basically you slice off a hunk like it is a meatloaf. Well if that meatloaf had pulled pork, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and corn salsa wrapped in a tortilla and covered in sauce and cheese. Hmmm, lunch for days to come is in the fridge.
Now we are home relaxing on the couch in front of Superwhy and coloring b-day cards. Nothing practical accomplished in the house, dishes undone, laundry unfolded, and yet a sense of accomplishment and contentment. Soon it is to bed....
Well as we approached the rear entrance of the zoo and saw the hordes of children w/ parents enjoying spring break. The child's play area and merry go round were finally open and absolutely swarming. So we drove right on by. Fortunately this wasn't an issue b/c C was sleeping and I hadn't mentioned any plans to her. Pondering what to do I saw the little stone bridge that heads into the Arboretum!
Turned right (along with a bazillion bikers), crossed the bridge and we are instantly not in a city any longer. Drove to a parking area at which point Charlotte woke up. Headed off on a path that the map said led to a spring through a oak heavy woods. No leaves on the trees, and not much greenery yet in the woods, but some little buds of leaves on the lower branches were visible, and there was moss on the rocks. Meandered on the paths for a while showing C fungus on fallen branches and trying to keep K from stopping every 2 feet to grab leaves and toss them in the air. The girls discovered that fallen trees make perfect perches, so for a while we had to sit on every one. Finally C declared that her legs were "exhausted" sat down and asked me to get the car and pick her up. :) We hiked on back to the car and headed over to the more cultivated area to see how the lilac garden was coming. Just the beginnings of leaves, as expected, but there were some daffodils and tulip trees (well, that is what I am calling them ) blooming so we got our flower fix.
Headed back out to civilization to pick up a gift for A's b-day. And since everything takes longer w/ 2 little girls in tow enough time had passed that we headed off to our party.
I sipped on a glorified slurpee (what else would you call a virgin margarita) as we waited for our to go order and chatted. Pedros has this 3 lb burrito which I usually order any time I go. NOT b/c I can eat it all, but b/c it will provide many meals. Basically you slice off a hunk like it is a meatloaf. Well if that meatloaf had pulled pork, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and corn salsa wrapped in a tortilla and covered in sauce and cheese. Hmmm, lunch for days to come is in the fridge.
Now we are home relaxing on the couch in front of Superwhy and coloring b-day cards. Nothing practical accomplished in the house, dishes undone, laundry unfolded, and yet a sense of accomplishment and contentment. Soon it is to bed....