We ventured out to the Peoria Zoo today along with my mom, sister and niece. Knowing it was going to be a hot day, we decided to get there at opening time, 10:00 and knock out the zoo before lunchtime. Maya. Was. So. Excited. Before Aaron left for work this morning, she was telling him about all the animals she planned to see there. "And the elephants are going to spray me with their trunks" she was saying......"ooooooo ooo aaahhhhh" (monkey noises)..........."I wanna pet the goats." She was prepared. Her mind was made up about all the things that were going to happen at the zoo today.
When we arrived at the zoo, she quickly informed us that she wanted to feed the goats first. As we were walking over there, she said "I'm gonna go up to the goat and say 'hey buddy', like that." It was so cute. So sure enough, we found the goats and just as she'd said she would, she let out a "hey buddy" to the first one she saw. Hilarious! Lots of "awwwwws" were said as she admired the farm animals in the barn. Then it was on to the Africa exhibit.
Much to Maya's dismay, there are no elephants at the Peoria Zoo (or at least we didn't come across any), so no getting sprayed by their trunks today. We'll have to try for that at the next zoo we go to I suppose. We got to get up close and personal with the lions though since they were sitting right by the glass. That was really neat.
It was a great time spent with my favorite gals.....and little boy! Our zoo experience was topped off with a little Firehouse Pizza lunch buffet (Maya's and my favorite). What a great day!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Maiden Voyage
Last night, Aaron, the kids and I went out on our new fishing boat for its Maiden Voyage. Aaron and I couldn't decide which would be best.....him taking the boat out by himself for the first trip out and risk being stuck by himself if something happened, or take the whole family and just risk it :) Obviously, the kids were both suited up in their life vests for the ride, which neither of them seemed to mind. The boat only has a 9.9 horsepower motor, so this boat is a little more "my speed" than boats we've had in the past. I'm what you might call a "Sissy" or a "Scaredy Cat" when it comes to boating. I don't enjoy speeds that make your hair blow....even a little, I hate hitting other boat's wakes, I hate the launching and loading.....needless to say, this is AARON's BOAT & I don't plan to ride along often.
The kids were another story. Both of them thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which in turn, helped me have a nice time. Aaron even threw a line in for a while just to get the whole feeling. No bites, but we sure saw a lot of fish surfacing. We were out on the water for about an hour and the kids started to get antsy, so we headed for the dock. I even got brave and decided to try backing the trailer in (I think I was really just looking for an excuse to get out of the boat :) It went really well with no problems. Aaron and I talked about how much we enjoy the times that just our family of 4 spend together. We have so much fun spending time together, whatever we may be doing.
Perhaps I could be convinced to give this boating thing a try again sometime.
The kids were another story. Both of them thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which in turn, helped me have a nice time. Aaron even threw a line in for a while just to get the whole feeling. No bites, but we sure saw a lot of fish surfacing. We were out on the water for about an hour and the kids started to get antsy, so we headed for the dock. I even got brave and decided to try backing the trailer in (I think I was really just looking for an excuse to get out of the boat :) It went really well with no problems. Aaron and I talked about how much we enjoy the times that just our family of 4 spend together. We have so much fun spending time together, whatever we may be doing.
Perhaps I could be convinced to give this boating thing a try again sometime.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Reenactments of Sadie's Farewell
Nearly 9 months ago, we said good-bye to a dear family member of over 6 years......our miniature schnauzer, Sadie. No, she didn't die, she just moved out. Sadie and Maya were tight. "Sadie" was even Maya's first word. After Jude was born, the incessant barking, anal gland evacuation problems (TMI?? Sorry), wet/muddy paws on the floors, our desire for more independence, etc.....just got to be too much. I, living on little sleep and already struggling to manage showering once every 4 days, decided that Miss Sadie just had to go. Her barking was waking my baby, and when I was trying to nap during those naps, that led to one unhappy Mama. We knew that separating Maya from Sadie was going to be a challenge, but we figured she'd either have to say farewell now or deal with her death at some point in her life, so we thought this would be the easiest.
We found a home for Sadie with a very kind, elderly woman in Bloomington. She had recently lost her husband and needed companionship. I was glad for Sadie to move to a home where she'd get all the attention she deserved. The woman's name is Barb and I never knew that "Barb" was going to become such a household name around here.
Over the last 9 months, I've fielded many questions/comments about Sadie's situation. "Where is Sadie at?" "Will Sadie be coming to my birthday party?" (I know, gut wrenching, right?) "When is Sadie coming home?" "Why does Barb get Sadie for a friend? I want a friend too." "I'm never going to have a dog!" So, it's been a little hard on all of us. But lately, it's the "playing Sadie and Barb" that just KILLS ME!! Maya will say, "Ok Mommy, you be Barb and this [a doggy-shaped purse that looks exactly like Sadie] is Sadie." So, I have to show Maya what I think Barb and Sadie are doing. I always make Barb a VERY nice woman and she is taking such good care of Sadie. Well today, we had to play "Barb and Sadie" again, only this time, we pretended to be dropping Sadie off at Barb's house. Maya decided that the front entryway to the house was "Barb's House" and we walked her little doggy purse over there and said hello to Barb and good-bye to Sadie. We got about 5 steps away and Maya looked at me and said "Sadie is sooooo sad that we left, I'd better go back and get her!!" Oh man! That girl knows how to lay it on thick!!
So, needless to say, Sadie will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER be forgotten.....no worries, Sadie.....your memory is alive and well in the Mahaffey house! Barb sends us updates and pictures of her very regularly, which only poors salt into the wounds sometimes, but we appreciate knowing how much she is loved and cared for in her new home. I knew Sadie would be missed, but I never planned on Maya keeping the memory alive QUITE as well as she does!
We found a home for Sadie with a very kind, elderly woman in Bloomington. She had recently lost her husband and needed companionship. I was glad for Sadie to move to a home where she'd get all the attention she deserved. The woman's name is Barb and I never knew that "Barb" was going to become such a household name around here.
Over the last 9 months, I've fielded many questions/comments about Sadie's situation. "Where is Sadie at?" "Will Sadie be coming to my birthday party?" (I know, gut wrenching, right?) "When is Sadie coming home?" "Why does Barb get Sadie for a friend? I want a friend too." "I'm never going to have a dog!" So, it's been a little hard on all of us. But lately, it's the "playing Sadie and Barb" that just KILLS ME!! Maya will say, "Ok Mommy, you be Barb and this [a doggy-shaped purse that looks exactly like Sadie] is Sadie." So, I have to show Maya what I think Barb and Sadie are doing. I always make Barb a VERY nice woman and she is taking such good care of Sadie. Well today, we had to play "Barb and Sadie" again, only this time, we pretended to be dropping Sadie off at Barb's house. Maya decided that the front entryway to the house was "Barb's House" and we walked her little doggy purse over there and said hello to Barb and good-bye to Sadie. We got about 5 steps away and Maya looked at me and said "Sadie is sooooo sad that we left, I'd better go back and get her!!" Oh man! That girl knows how to lay it on thick!!
So, needless to say, Sadie will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER be forgotten.....no worries, Sadie.....your memory is alive and well in the Mahaffey house! Barb sends us updates and pictures of her very regularly, which only poors salt into the wounds sometimes, but we appreciate knowing how much she is loved and cared for in her new home. I knew Sadie would be missed, but I never planned on Maya keeping the memory alive QUITE as well as she does!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Jude's First Haircut
As unfair as it may seem, my almost-11-month old son was in need of his first haircut before my 3 year old daughter has had her's. Perhaps someday she'll be blessed with a head full of thick, luxurious locks, but for now, we're making it with only two small ponies on top of her head (the type of ponies you see on infants no doubt) but at least there's enough to grab hold of these days.
Jude was starting to look "mullety" as I like to call it. Maya is all to familiar with the term "mullet." I've had to trim millimeters off the back of her hair once or twice to prevent her from the same coveted look. It seems that the front of her hair refuses to grow for the time being. Jude officially beat her to the punch today. Only because it's ok, in my eyes, for little girls to have whispy bangs, tons of hair hanging over your ears and a slight mullet. Boys, on the other hand, are made for shorter hair, so once it starts to look unruly, a cut is warranted.
I took Jude to my "hair girl" and it seriously took all of 10 minutes to trim him up....if that. He sat on my lap and we both wore smocks. His had penguins on them, which Maya thought was very cool. She circled around us, placing a goldfish in his mouth for him (since both of our hands were under smocks and I was busy using mine to hold him still most of the time). He attempted to keep his eyes on Maya the whole time which made it interesting for Reatha to cut his hair, but she managed. As I feared, he emerged from the whole experience looking a whole year older. My little boy is not so little anymore.
Today marks the beginning of all sorts of experiences that move my little boy one step closer to adulthood. Next comes standing, then walking, then college, etc..........ok, well maybe I skipped a few, but I'm sure it'll truly go THAT FAST in real life if it's anything like the last 11 months have been. Love my babies so much and wish they could stay small for just a bit longer.
Jude was starting to look "mullety" as I like to call it. Maya is all to familiar with the term "mullet." I've had to trim millimeters off the back of her hair once or twice to prevent her from the same coveted look. It seems that the front of her hair refuses to grow for the time being. Jude officially beat her to the punch today. Only because it's ok, in my eyes, for little girls to have whispy bangs, tons of hair hanging over your ears and a slight mullet. Boys, on the other hand, are made for shorter hair, so once it starts to look unruly, a cut is warranted.
I took Jude to my "hair girl" and it seriously took all of 10 minutes to trim him up....if that. He sat on my lap and we both wore smocks. His had penguins on them, which Maya thought was very cool. She circled around us, placing a goldfish in his mouth for him (since both of our hands were under smocks and I was busy using mine to hold him still most of the time). He attempted to keep his eyes on Maya the whole time which made it interesting for Reatha to cut his hair, but she managed. As I feared, he emerged from the whole experience looking a whole year older. My little boy is not so little anymore.
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