A La Zoo

We did it: we went to the zoo. My sister had a zoo membership when we lived in Colorado Springs, and we would go weekly. We've missed the zoo so much. My husband has had several days off this week, so we decided to take the time yesterday and go to the zoo. We loved it. We will be back often. Because we bought a membership. Yes, it was that cool.

Astride the mighty lion . . .

Elliot running away from me in a bamboo forest . . .

Dottie's favorite, the flamingos. They were EVERYWHERE at this zoo.

More flamingos. Notice the darker color of the feathers. These ones must have eaten more shrimp.

There was a petting zoo section. Dottie, who is normally afraid of dogs, cats, anything that is on four legs, actually fed and petted the goats!

This goat repeatedly climbed Joe. Good thing it wasn't Dottie the goat climbed, or we wouldn't be coming back at this part of the zoo.

Grandmas, Siblings, I have a lot more pictures. I will email them to you if you want.

What you do when your husband's gone for 10 days

You teach yourself how to french braid hair . . .

You buy more art supplies for your kids to ward off boredom . . .

You let your kids gorge themselves at Baskin Robbins . . .

You encourage more snuggly, silly, and loving time.

More of DJ's Photography

I've decided to call Dottie's new photography company "DJ's photography." My dad started calling Dottie "DJ" when she was a baby. I don't really like the name. It reminds me of DJ from "Full House." But as a photography company, it kinda sounds cool.

I just think she's getting more artistic in her shots, so I thought I'd share, one last time.

This is Dottie's "special place." It's where she keeps all of her "pink fings."

Good Vibrations

It seems I've had to vacuum a lot more often in this house. I think there's more carpet? Or maybe my kids are just more dirty? It's not uncommon for me to vacuum twice a day.

And the challenge: Elliot. He's not afraid of the vacuum like Dottie was (is). In fact, he thinks it's a ride. He sits on the vacuum and expects me to push him around. My theory is he likes the vibrations on his bum.

Dottie has a friend!

This move has been hard on Dottie. She gave up a lot when we moved from Colorado. She lost her friends, her Aunt Mimi, her house.

When you move, it takes awhile to get a sense of being again. I feel it, definitely. And my little sensitive, emotional girl has struggled.

So, I'm happy to say I think she's finally made a really good, true friend. A friend that can come over and play whenever she wants. A sweet girl with the same temperament as my Dottie. I also really like her mom. And they live in our neighborhood, so we're lucky enough to see them often.

Dottie's happy, so I'm happy. I'm grateful for the signs of "settling in."

Cherry Berries on a Cloud

I've talked about this dessert before. But never in significant detail. This is the dessert that my mom made to win my dad's heart.
Obviously, it worked, or I would not be here. My mom is the master at this dessert. Her Cherry Berries is always perfection. I've striven to copy her since I left home in 2000. But, alas, I never get the heart shape down.

But does it really matter?

No, it doesn't. My kids still wolf it down (as do Joe and I) like it's the last thing we'll ever eat.

I urge you to make this dessert. It may change your life. I'm too lazy to make a link for you from the internet, but you know what it's called. Also, it's in your Betty Crocker cookbook.

My favorite thing about living in San Antonio

Zoom in. We've been finding these lovely creatures in our house since day one. I'm proud of myself for not complaining thus far. But a girl can only take so much. Our house has been sprayed, twice. But we're still finding them. At least they're dead instead of alive. Even when they're dead I can't bring myself to pick them up with a tissue and flush them. I have to cover them with something and wait until Joe gets home. Shudder. They just gross me out.