Zooventures

Okay, folks, as excited as I am to post the pics of our Fun August Camping Adventure, (the one that was completely stress-free and relaxing, in which my kids stayed impeccably clean the whole time--wink wink) I promised myself that I'd get caught up on some previous events first.

So, my parents came to visit us in July and kindly treated us to a day at the World Wildlife Zoo in Surprise over 4th of July weekend. We spent the morning at the zoo and then came back to visit the aquarium at night...so much stinkin' fun despite the fact that it was so hot that our smiles and eyebrows literally started melting off of our faces. You can probably see the sweat and pink-cheeked flushiness in most of these pics, so now you know what hard-core Arizonans we are... surely we won't let a little 115 degree heat get in the way of our outdoor adventures.

Grandma and Grandpa (without the beard) and our lovely girls.

Feeding a giraffe--one of the coolest things I've ever seen

Here I am with a mysterious handsome man that I found by the flamingos.

Here's that same hottie holding one of my kids.

The petting zoo--not stinky at all on such a hot day.

Here's J ready for a safari.

Oh, so Lovely

So, today I am wearing my usual not-going-anywhere uniform (comfy sweat capris and a pink t-shirt) and Julia comes up to me while I'm making dinner and rubs my leg and says, "Mommy, you look so pretty!"

Oh, just keep 'em coming, my sweet girl!

All about the Cheese

When this girl says "Cheese," she really means it.

Long-haired freaky people need not apply

Julia and I got haircuts right before we left for camping at the beach...the arrangement was that if she agreed to a haircut before camping, then she could grow it long again if she wanted to. (Hopefully her version of "long" isn't as unmanageable and troublesome as I fear it will be.) Since she's averaged 1 haircut for every two years of her life, (two haircuts in all) she may not be getting another one until she's six, but I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway. (Just to clarify, the haircut department is just one of many in which I find that fighting against her incredibly strong will is just not worth the considerable effort that is involved.) I know, I know, lots of kids enjoy getting their haircut, but J is just not one of them. She has better things to do. Anyway, here is documented proof of Julia's second haircut in 4 years. (P.S. Craig was disappointed that I hadn't saved any of the hair that got cut off. Blech!)

So far, so good...even a 4-year-old can appreciate a nice scalp massage.

Still smiling, maybe this won't be so bad.

Okay, all this clipping back is just a little tedious for Miss J...

Good thing there's a TV in the corner with actual real channels to keep her occupied.

Alright, people, are you done yet?

Don't worry about me, foks...I smiled through the whole thing!

Synchronized swimming, anyone?

One day while we were getting ready for swim group, Miss J came out of the bathroom looking like this little tiny synchronized swimmer. We are already making plans for the 2016 Summer Olympics...she'll be 11.