Playground Playing

The weather has been gorgeous the past few weeks and we have been doing a lot of walking to and from schools (up to three times a day).  Our afternoon routine has become walk Sam to school at 12:15, come home and put Ben down for his nap, wake up Ben at 2:30 and go to pick up Sam from school, play at the Tot Lot for 45 minutes, walk to the Elem. School to get Elijah, play on the playground there for another 15 minutes, then walk home and crash - I mean start making dinner.  Exhausting!

Here are a few pictures of us waiting for Elijah to get out of school.  I love Ben's expressions.

Until recently Ben has been content to sit in the stroller.  He has now discovered the joys of the playground and has been gaining confidence climbing and going down the slides.  Ben has also seen all the older boys running around with sticks and often has a stick in his own hand.

Going on a Field Trip

Sam's preschool had a field trip last week to the Maryland Science Center.  This wasn't any old field trip, we all got to ride a school bus, Ben included!  Afterwards the boys and I hung out in the quad in front of the school and enjoyed the sunshine.  I took the opprotunity to catch some pictures of the boys.

Ben not so sure about being on a big bus without buckles

The museum has a fantastic water "table" with squirtering hoses, locks, waterfalls, tubes, etc.  Sam and Ben were in heaven.

It's SPRING!

Once there was a Snowman...

Mr. Ben probably has no idea what a snowman is, we have had hardly a dusting of snow all winter, but he sure loves the song, over and over and over.

Baltimore Zoo

We had a sunny Saturday a few weeks ago and made an excursion to the Baltimore Zoo with the boys.  It was a perfect day and we all came home happy and exhausted.  Here are a few pictures.

My favorite picture of Ben from the day.  My sister Anna made the Yoda hat for him for Christmas.  He happily wears it everywhere.  I love his blue eyes!

I always have to sneak a picture of Sam. He is so much like his mother.

My four African Penguins

My three cute little birdies sitting in a nest

Three silly gophers popping out of their hole.  Ben thought this was hilarious.  He was with me watching them pop out.

They have a large selection of farm animals and a petting part where you can go in among the goats.  Ben was in HEAVEN.  He wasn't afraid a bit and was eager to pet all of the goats.  Luckily he has learned (from Tilly our dog) the importance of being soft.  I was taking a video of Ben petting the goats and got blindsided by a goat that rammed me.  It totally caught me of guard.  Watch out for those goats!

The Baltimore Zoo is a small zoo and we were able to see all the animals that were out in a few hours.  We plan on going back again.  I think Ben and I will have some good walks through that zoo in the future.