Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Random Ruminations

Nothing much going on...we've been house cleaning and "hanging out." (My sister arrives from Ohio this Thursday, so we're prepping for her visit. And when she leaves next week, Em and I are going with her---so I have to have our laundry and packing ready.)

Barbies: Today Em was super excited to set up a "Barbie Wedding."



The Bride and Groom (sorry picture isn't vertical.)




Glued to the TV---watching the DVD from my wedding with DH back in '98

(Cracked me up when she tried to replicate some of our wedding stuff into her Barbie wedding. Too sweet!)



Em's favorite part was dressing all of her Barbies and placing them in seats to
"watch" the wedding. The Barbie wedding and preparations lasted about 2 1/2 hours. (Just like her mama...I spent maaaaaany hours playing with Barbies when I was young.)

As an aside---I found two B.arbies on clearance at W.algreen's last week for only $1.00 each. Wow! And I thought my prior B.ig L.ots $5 deal was good. :)

Anybody out there play with B.arbies in the '80's? Do you recognize the furniture her B.arbies are sitting on? It's the furniture from my old 3-story B.arbie D.reamhouse which I passed down to Em at Christmas time last year.


Zoo: Yesterday we went to the Zoo...

On the carousel


Brushing the goats....Goat #1 (Can't get my pics to "rotate" horizontal today, sorry.)


With Goat #2

Thanks to the J.acksonville J.aguars NF.L team and its owners, the Jax Zoo has the largest collection of Jaguars at any U.S. zoo. A baby jag, Harry, was born at the Zoo this past January. Em and I were excited to see him up and active yesterday, as at prior zoo visits he was sleeping, or laying quietly beside his mother...

Just scratching...



Mama Jaguar on left, baby Harry on right



Isn't he gorgeous?

Swimming: I'm still amazed that the City Pools here are FREE! There are 20 or so pools throughout the city that have free admission. Em and I went again this afternoon. We found a nice local pool that isn't crowded. This is the second time we've gone from about 3-5 p.m. Had a great not toooo hot swim. It was super. Em is getting the knack of going under water by herself, and kicking/doggie paddling independently (with floaties.) She'll take her first ever swim lessons at the pool in my hometown when we're in Ohio in 2 weeks. (The same pool my younger sister and I learned to swim in. Ahhh, the circle of life.)

School: I've loved procrastinating and putting off doing any school work. I WILL work on somethings (lesson planning, vocabulary ideas, etc.) during the time we're at my parents' house. I've enjoyed my three weeks with NO school work though. :)

House: DH painted much of the outside house trim this past weekend, and the railings on our front porch. The house looks MUCH better! :)

Exercise: I'm pleased with myself right now. I've stuck with the W.ii A.ctive 30-day challenge program. I still find the exercise program motivating and I like the variety of exercise movements. I believe today I'm on day 12 of the program. Yea!

I think that is all the latest. :)

9 comments:

Mrs. Gamgee said...

I am so envious of all your summer outings! My beloved and I are planning on going to a local food festival tomorrow (Canada Day)... but I would love to find a local pool that I like.

The pics of the jaguars are gorgeous!

Becoming a Family of Four said...

Does she do the barbies independently? If so, I am sooo jealous! I can't imagine J playing by herself for 2 1/2 hours....what bliss!

And I can't imagine 20 free city pools to choose from. We have 1 indoor and 1 outdoor city pool and they both cost $4, and are CRAZY busy. We hardly ever go....ahh, the pitfalls of small town living :)

Danifred said...

You guys are on the move!!!! Good for you :)
I love that Em recreated your wedding- that is too sweet!

Sunny said...

Love the Barbie wedding! I spent tons of time playing with mine back in the '80s, absolutely. I don't recognize that furniture, though?? I did have the Barbie dreamhouse, complete with elevator. We would take a Ziploc bag, fill it with water, and called it Barbie's waterbed. Those were the days. :)

Anonymous said...

Barbie's in the '80's? hells yeah? I still have everything. I hope to have agirl someday so I can get all my stuff out. We have alot of our old toys that Luv Bug plays with. Some things just arent the same like the old Sem Street stuff.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you are having a wonderful and relaxing summer vacation! How neat that she is going to learn to swim at the same pool you did - I get such a kick out of taking my kiddos to places I went growing up.

Laurel said...

Wow! Those bring back memories!... I'm glad you didn't keep all the pizza box "tables" we had though. Not only do I remember your furniture, but I remember those outfits and some of the Barbies even...

Thanks for cleaning for me. Though Em laughed on the phone tonight as she told me, "We still have to make your futon. There's no sheets yet..." I told her good thing she has a couple of days (to which she asked-- "Will it be night time or after night time when you get here?") Crack me up! Can't wait! :D

Beautiful Mess said...

Beautiful Jaguar! Your summer sounds like so much fun. I want to come spend next summer with you and Em!
Have fun in your hometown! Fun! Fun! Fun!
*HUGS*

Carrie27 said...

I loved Barbies when I was little! But, when did they get so expensive?

I say put off school work just a little longer and enjoy your vacation home.

Congrats on the 30 day challenge, I may have to just invest in the active (you are the 2nd person I know who has stuck with it).

Question: How crazy busy is the zoo right now?