Monday, May 28, 2012

Holiday weekend catch-up...

Other captured moments from this week...

 Flowers & Carousels, Frying Pan Park 05.24.12

 Train, Fairfax Corner 05.27.28

 Enjoying the fountains after the train ride...



 05.27.12, hydrangeas and smooth brick walkways...
 Blowing out the candles on our family's birthdays for 2012...
My first solo cake decorating attempt, a free handed attempt at H's very specific request this year for Jewel and Blu (Rio Birds), about to give each other a kiss, with a valentine theme.  At least it is somewhat recognizable.  :)

The National Zoo...

05.25.12  This time it wasn't done up in Halloween scenes for Boo at the Zoo like the last time I recall visiting the Zoo, but it felt a little haunted nonetheless.  We met the same friends there again this time, and H enjoyed the trip quite a bit.

 Dinosaurs...

 Panda smiles, pensive primates...
 Spritzed by the mist...
 Panda Poop:  The Wonder Dung...
 Zebras...
 Gazelle...
 Frogs and flowers...
 Amazonia, I think this was the first time we visited this area...
Scarlet Macaw...
 Foliage inside Amazonia's upper level...
 Inside frogs...
 Science...
 Cattle bone puzzle...

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Happy 4th to H...

H's birthday is not quite here yet, but we celebrated it last Friday with family and friends at home with a Pony Party for our horse crazy girl, couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

 Grandma & Aunt C made amazing cupcakes...
 Big candy horses, and mini farm animals too...
 Oxygen deprived fun blowing up balloons for party prep...
 The view from outside as balloons piled up...
 H helps stuff the rainbow zebra pinata with candy...
 Next time will make flap larger, or avoid lollipops.  :)
 In the end they all left with plenty of candy anyway...
 H had a pony in her own yard, just as she wished.
 We think she enjoyed it.
 The mini petting zoo, almost a bigger draw than the pony...
 Clothespin horse craft, surprisingly popular with the kids...
 We never made it to Pin the Tail on the Donkey or horseshoe toss games but the kids were generally smiling which was the main goal, and H had a great day shared with good friends.
Friends helped us to provide extra seating and tables for our many guests.  Family helped out a ton to pull this together.  With their help we were able to offer super fun hand made cupcakes, prep the craft, clean up the neglected yard to make a safe environment for our small guests, decorate, and complete our gate.  It was certainly a week of hard labor for them, but we really did appreciate it, and H had a truly amazing day.  :)

Spring Farm Day...

Frying Pan Park, 05.12.12...

 Goats... In hand a tiny alpaca doll from Capital Alpacas...
 H milking a real cow, real milk...
 Sheep shearing demonstration...
 A man with udders...
 H's reaction to man with udders...
 H making one of many crafts, wearing the previous craft...
 Corn...
 H milking a faux cow, for water...
 H spinning wool to make a bracelet...
 Corn cob toss...
 Sheep replica lassoing activity...
 Old school laundry...
 Churning (and eating) butter...
 I'd like to learn to spin, too...
 H seems to be a natural, maybe she will teach me.  :)
 Working sheepdog demonstration...
Frying Pan 05.15.12, with J & E...
 Chickens...
Spring Farm Day props were still out for inquisitive kids to explore...