zoo day

Back around the middle of April, Mat and I woke up on a Friday morning, and we decided we wanted to take AWA to the zoo. It was absolutely PERFECT weather, and we really enjoyed a great day being together as a family.

We arrived at the zoo around 1:30 or so in the afternoon. It wasn't too crowded, but when we first pulled up, we saw lots of school buses, and we got a little nervous. Thankfully, most of the school groups were leaving as we entered the front gates. We didn't have to deal with any lines or peeking around people to see the animals.

We saw the elephants first. Watts was pretty impressed with them (as impressed as a 17 month old can be with an elephant, I guess). We made sure we gave them a big "Roll Tide!"

We saw giraffes and zebras, also. We just barely missed feeding time at the giraffe cages, but I'm not sure how AWA would have handled that, anyway.

A big hit with the little girl was the warthogs. They had clear plastic viewers that were just her height so she could see in and watch them do their thing. She thought they were so funny!

She wasn't too taken with the lions, but she loved this little jungle dog animal. He absolutely cracked her up! She waved and pointed at him like crazy!

AWA wore her flamingo outfit (courtesy of Miss C from Tales of a Peanut (thanks again, Jenn!!)), so we had to have her picture made by all the flamingos. We didn't get her out of her stroller, because we were afraid if we did, we'd never get her back in-- the girl LOVES to walk by herself these days.

At the Birmingham Zoo, they have a special Alabama section that houses some Alabama farm animals that you can pet. Mat and I both thought AWA would EAT THAT UP, but turns out, she wasn't a big fan of goats trying to eat her stroller or lick her all over. It was so funny to watch, though.

We had such a fun time at the zoo. This was Watts' first zoo experience, and we loved it so much that I think we'll take her back some this summer if it's not too hot.

I love that little girl so much. Mat and I are so blessed to be able to spend days with her doing fun things. We are thankful!

easter! easter!

We had such a great Easter! Mumsy, Wattsie and I took a week-long vacation to Destin the week before Easter (more on that later), but we got back home in time to celebrate with our family.

The Easter Bunny was very good to Watts! She got a Clifford book, an Olivia book, a Twine stuffed bunny, four little cars, some peeps and Reese's Bunnies, sunglasses, a cookie, a sippy cup and a circus-themed smocked dress. She was thrilled with the cars!

We had a wonderful Sunday morning at church that morning, as well. Mat began his new "Pastor's Class" Sunday School class, and we had a packed house in both Sunday School and worship. Mat preached a fantastic sermon, and it was good to see so many new faces at FBC.

 

I always like to look back on old pictures and compare, so I did this little comparison of Easter last year and Easter this year. AWA has grown up, and my bangs have grown out, and it looks as though Mat is pretty much the same. I do love my little family, though!

After church, we went to Uncle Randall and Aunt Cathy's to eat lunch. We had such a great time being with family-- some of whom we do not get to see all that often. We also went to see GranDanny and T later in the evening. It was a wonderful day!

I am so thankful for the Easter season and for what it means. I am especially thankful for the Lord's propitiation of our sins, but I am equally thankful that He chose to adopt me as a daughter into His eternal family. Praise be to God!

Happy Easter!

**I haven't gotten a chance to make "good" photos of AWA in her Easter dress yet, but no worries; they're coming soon!

awa visits birdwell island

Lately, Ama-Watts has been obsessed with Clifford the Big Red Dog. We DVR episodes for her, and she loves to watch them. I heard that a Clifford exhibit was coming to the McWane Center in Birmingham, so Mom and I took AWA to see it on Valentine's Day. She had a blast!