a little more insta-summer…

the zoo

We just got back from a morning at the zoo. Yes, I'm already posting my pictures. My kids are wiped and laying on the couch so I have a little time. :) 

We hadn't been to the Pt. Defiance Zoo in a really really long time. It had been two years since they had even been to the Seattle Zoo AND Molly had never been. So we decided to go. Just the four of us. 

Everyone loved it.

(pretending to get their photo taken in the photo booth)

My favorite is always the sharks. Molly seemed to really love all the fish, sharks, walrus, and anything underwater and behind glass. She would get really excited and it was pretty cute.  I bribed the other two with Cotton Candy to go into the shark area. Kyla said she was "on it" and everyone ended up having a great time in there (and then all four of us got to have a few handfuls of pure sugar whipped into cotton). 

Another exciting attraction- birds that you get to feed. It was crazy! Kyla was brave and did it. Heidi chickened out so I took her stick. Having birds fly onto your arms and hands is a little intense. These pictures are blurry because I was a little flustered with all the birds flying all over us and holding Molly at the same time. BUT I love Kyla's face in them.

Kyla was in charge of the map. We were on a quest to find their school mascot...the Polar Bears. We did and that was so awesome also. But we didn't get any pictures except with my phone. Once again, I was holding my bag, camera, phone, a sticky cotton candy Molly and trying not to loose all my children in a crowd of people. 

Super fun, spontaneous day with my girlies!

our very own olympics

The Olympics have been big here this last week. The girls have been watching them every night for about an hour after Molly goes to bed and then the rest on DVR the next day. Gymnastics has really been on the forefront of their little minds lately. Especially since one of the Fab Five is named Kyla AND we're right on the heels of the new American Girl movie McKenna (all about a gymnast from Seattle). So yesterday when dad brought home a real balance beam that he had crafted at work, they were beyond thrilled. Heidi couldn't contain her excitement and spent two hours on it last night.

Here she is "warming up." 

Excellent form.

Kyla was disappointed it was higher off the ground AND

that all those flips and stuff are harder than they look.

Even the builder took a turn.

Of course medals were awarded.

Excited to watch the rest.

Go Team USA!

Jessi

I had another super fun photo ses with my cousin Jessi. She's a senior! Can't believe it. We had a good time playing photographer and model for the afternoon. This first one is on the side of 405 in Renton. A good memory for sure and my favorite photo too. Don't think we would have done it if it weren't for my aunt Barb. :) Love you Jess.

And here's one just for fun. I love this photo. Doesn't she look just thrilled to be my flower girl! :)