Pittsburgh Zoo Trip!

This was an absolutely fabulous trip! Everyone had a great time looking at all of the animals and enjoying the perfect weather.

Click on the pictures to get a better view of the animals!

Danny, Daddy and a lion:


Danny and zebras:


Elephants (Danny's favorite):

Danny, Daddy and a bear:



Sea lion:

Sea lion again:


Polar bear (Mommy's favorite):


Danny and Mommy on a swinging bridge (Very Indiana Jones, aren't we?):


Danny on the log ride (Danny loved this and cried when it was over, so we let him ride it again!):


Danny, Ben and Mommy in the Tropical Rainforest:




We were all a little tired by the time we got done seeing all of the animals. Especially Ben:

Why can't we all be this easily amused?

Don't you hate it when you're innocently trying to do the laundry and the hamper attacks you?

Tickle time:




And, finally...fun with a blanket.

Isn't that one of the great things about life?

Today was my student teacher's last day. I can't say enough positive things about this girl. She really did a great job...she was the most organized student teacher I've ever had. She had her entire placement planned in like Week Two. Unheard of. Believe me when I tell you that they are NEVER prepared like she was. I really hope she does well in whatever she decides to teach...I know she'd be great at elementary music, but I think she's leaning toward band.



It's the strangest thing with student teachers. You spend so much time with them, talking about personal things like mannerisms, comfort zones and self-motivation that you almost start to feel as if you're becoming friends. Then you realize that you are, in fact, fifteen years older than them. I was driving the family car and going on dates when my student teacher was born. Yeesh. Methinks she probably wasn't really interested in my stories about college...back in the 90's...you know, when she was three years old.



Was my student teacher faking enthusiasm when I regaled her with my tales of big 80's hair and dancing to REO Speedwagon? When I said, "I love STYX" and she said, "Oh...yeah...", was that, "Oh...yeah...me too"? or "Oh...yeah...Jennifer's a loser and who/what is STYX"? My endless tales of my boys probably really drove the point home that I am a wife and mother and she is young and free of responsibility. I remember those days so fondly.



I had such a good time when I graduated from college and was a new teacher. I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I did not have to wash bottles or any dishes for that matter until e coli was growing in my kitchen sink. There were no latches on my kitchen cabinets, no Dora band-aids in my medicine chest, no chicken nuggets in my freezer. I went out to the bars several nights a week and drank way too many beers and talked way too loudly. I slept in late on weekends, I went to the pool without a diaper bag during the summer and I ate meals whenever the mood struck me.



Now, though, I can't even begin to imagine what my life would be like without my boys. Remembering back to those earlier carefree days is almost like looking at a movie of someone else's life. It seems so long ago and so unfamiliar. But isn't that one of the great things about life? We change so much because of situations, events, experiences...and most of all, people we meet or, if we're lucky, people we create :0) Every day, I am thankful for these boys being given to me and every day I pray that I am doing a good job being Kevin's wife and Danny and Ben's mommy. And, one of these days, a hint of the young me might show her face again!

Anyone have some peanuts and cracker jack?

Danny had his first tee ball game today.

Danny playing second base.

Danny and Daddy in the field.

Danny getting ready to bat.

The post game hand shakes.
Danny did so great in his first tee ball game! He was so adorable stopping ground balls and when it was his turn to hit, he whacked it hard on the first try! The best part was that he had fun and we got our first game in before the rain hit! Lots of fun!