We finally started using our passes last week, and had a blast! The zoo was great, weather was great, and of course I had the best company anyone could dream of. The zoo is divided into sections, and we somehow veered into Florida--BORING. It looked a LOT like the Critter Page. So much for seeing something different!

So these pictures were all pretty funny. Tal saw the chickens and said, "Look kids, this is what you eat when you go to McDonald's. And the eggs Daddy uses to make your pancakes come out of their butts."

Riley is in front of monkeys, but it is hard to see them. He had just spotted the name Riley on a donor wall and was elated. Reagan thought the pink birds were hilarious, and Camden had oddly learned the word FOX that morning (well, it was actually a wolf, but whatever). His poor little hair.

We can't wait to go again--the passes are awesome!

This is a lousy shot I took through the fence, but it is all I got of Tal's first day at baseball. I was upset at our 6:00 practice time at first, but DUH...the weather is so nice then. We had a nice time, and the kids were pooped. Allergies are still a bit of a problem, so Camden blew his nose into his hands several times, then marched over to my bag, found an envelope, wiped it all off, and tossed the envelope back in. GROSS. Tal did great, the coach was incredible with the kids, and Potter & Gramma even came by.

We had a chance to finally meet our new neighbor last night!! It went down like this: The Rs see them on the patio, so they walk over, fling open the door, and walk in. They look around and say, "This isn't your house." Then Reagan announces that it is his birthday (it was NOT his birthday) and they were kind enough to find him a little box of snack treats. I am very, very glad they like (and understand) kids, and it was a little sad to explain that my kids were used to letting themselves into that house, playing with the kids & toys, and basically don't understand that they won't be coming back. Was thrilled that they are sweet as can be and have nephews who visit often--the kids had a blast last night!

Riley was laying on the patio sofa and this guy darted his head up--he was curled up UNDER the cushions. So I will never, ever sit out there again, that is for sure. It was just a corn snake, but when a nasty thing like that is near your kid, what can you do but scream and rant and bring a shovel and insist that your husband kill it instantly?

We also had a pygmy rattler last week. YUCK.

The Rs got out of the tub the other night (hence the wet hair), threw on Snoopy T-shirts instead of jammies (?? - I think because it was still light outside), and did yoga poses they learned on Wii Fit. So cute. And so random.

We are swapping home offices for a bit during the remodeling, so I am moving some things around. I've been saving this baby for a long time, and I think it is just the thing to make him feel right at home. I know some of you are already laughing, but just wait, there's more. A certain technology solution presented us with a WIND-UP CLOCK. Can you see the little piece on the right? There is no battery in this. We should have looked a little closer to some details like this.

UPDATE: Travis was appalled that I had anything from GeBBS on our sweet Stinkerpot site, so I made it lots smaller.

We're having a fun one here at the very Irish Bond house. Leprechauns turned our milk green this morning, then we had a shamrock-style scavenger hunt to find a pot o'gold. We just made cupcakes (golden, with green icing, of course) and the Irish stew is ready for tonight. Of course there will be some green beans and green butter with it...

So my Rs are so imaginative, I just love it. They dressed up as Mario & Luigi (this means yet another set of clothes have been tossed onto the floor). Get it? Overalls, a red shirt, a green shirt, ball caps, and the BEST...they have been wearing socks for gloves.

Not long after this picture, we did our bedtime story (Blue's Clues, and Blue's Grandma left a treasure, so the Rs demanded to see Gramma) and then prayed. Reagan went ON AND ON AND ON. He has this new thing where he pauses and then says AND while he is thinking of something else, just to keep the floor a little longer. So he says AND...then Riley leans over and whispers, "Say Amen, Reagan." Then Reagan says, "A-N-D today I played Legos." Then Riley says a little louder and with some force, "Reagan, SAY AMEN." And on and on we go. Cracked me up.

In the background is new molding in their room! Progress is happening, slowly but surely. We have decided on the renovation plans (mostly long-term, but I wanted a comprehensive plan so we don't make any horrid mistakes). Next, the bottom halves of the walls will be painted white. We have to repair sprinklers, a roof leak (ugh), A/C (have been cooling the attic!), the security system, and a ton of rotting wood. Who knows what else will break...I'm dying to do some fun stuff. Like new appliances and pool and stuff!!!! I will start my Before & After website soon.

Are these hoodlums my precious Rs? What the heck? Overstimulation Station, that's what it is. The next morning they dressed up as Mario and Luigi and ran around the yard.