Como Zoo

I watch my good friend’s little guy 3 days a week.  My kids love him to pieces.  I think Max even refers him to “my best friend Lukas”.  I think Lukas enjoys hanging out with them too.  They play so good together… they have their moments but it is usually short lived.

My friend decided she was taking a day off of work and we were all doing something with the kids.  She was missing us.  We took 3 weeks off from watching her little guy after I had Melanie.  We were missing them too! 

I suggested going to Como Zoo in Minneapolis.  I had never been there.  I heard that it was a great zoo.  Lets go.  Lukas had never been to Minneapolis!  I almost want to say he had never been out of Wisconsin – so he was thrilled!

Why are the monkeys being inappropriate every single time I go to the zoo with the kids!  Every!  Single!  Time!  I saw it and I start trying to distract the kids and get them to move onto the next animal.  Thank goodness it worked and we did not have to have a teachable moment right then and there!  Wow!  But I can hear behind me from other kids saying “what are they doing?”  Goodness!

We see a sign for a free sea lion show.  Awesome!  It was going to start in 30 minutes so we decided to grab a seat (because it was already filling up quickly) and have some snacks and drink.  It was crazy hot out!!

It got super packed with people!  We couldn’t see.  The kids stood and watched.  I didn’t see a thing.  I held my camera way in the area and guessed where I was aiming at the picture below.

This sea lion show lasted 8 minutes!  Yes!  8 minutes!  We sat in the beating down hot sun for 30 minutes to watch an 8 minute show… that was some what disappointing.  But maybe if I could of seen the sea lion it wouldn’t have been.  The kids thought it was great. 

Then they got to touch a tiger paw.

A shot of all three of them with the giraffes.

Max is using his shirt to wipe the sweat off his forehead.  He sweats like an old man!  And he uses his shirt to take care of business! 

We had seen all the animals.  The kids each got a souvenir.  Max picked a water balloon sling shot.  Mallory picked a cute little stuffed pink flamingo.  Lukas picked a huge long snake. 

Then we spotted the really old carousel.  It was really neat.  Everyone went for a ride except Melanie and I. 

Then I thought – hey we never documented that Melanie went on this trip too.  Snapped a picture quick while she was in my arms snoozing.

It was good little day adventure with great friends.

Summer Hay Ride

Hay rides are usually sometimes special you do in the fall.  But if you are a Frey – you do them in the summer too!  Mostly because Grandpa Dave is super proud of his tractor and any reason to drive (and lets be honest, show-off) his tractor is a good reason.

I did not realize how huge that bow was on Melanie’s head until now.

This next picture is proof for myself that I was protecting Melanie from the sun!  I continued to watch her face turn more red as the day/night went on.  I couldn’t figure it out until I got home and was getting her ready for bed.  Then it all clicked.  I sunburned her!!!

It wasn’t even a very sunny day.  It was warm.  Just one of those days where it felt like the sun was behind the clouds more.  The burn never bothered her.  I felt horrible though.  I went and bought her a bonnet (from my local Amish) and it stays in her diaper bag now.  I learned!!

Mallory and Kelly.  They needed me to tie straw around their wrists for straw bracelets while they went on the ride.  Then they had to give me one.

Proud Grandpa Dave on his precious tractor. 

He took us for a great big ride around the Frey property and proceeded to tell us stories like we were on some sort of Frey tour.  He could charge for these tours!  He even packs a cooler for you!

Babysitters

Melanie has become our centerpiece.  While we eat she is laying in the middle looking at us.  While I cook she is laying on the counter watching.  She is constantly on the counter.

Sometimes I have to leave the counter though and I need a babysitter to watch her to make sure she stays there.  Today Max was being the babysitter.

Max and Melanie.  Max constantly gets in her face and talks extremely loud!  She usually ends up yelling and arms swinging.  She has “punched” him a few times.  But he never learns.  He continues to get right in her face and talk too loud!