Boulder Ridge

This was our first year going to Boulder Ridge and we LOVED it. So much more hands on opportunities than your run of the mill zoo. The kids will a little overwhelmed at first as you bring them in through their store filled with stuffed animals and toys galore, just to get admission. Smart on the park's part but Austin couldn't stop thinking about what toy he was going to pick out! Toddlers!!

We started out at the bird aviary. We were the only ones in there and they certainly swarmed us!

My Dad and I were having a ball, but Ava immediately started crying and had to get out of there.

Austin didn't mind it at first.

They were starting to nibble at ME once the stick was running out of bird food, so we headed for the exit before anyone got pooped on!

They had so many options as far as what type of food to buy for which animals. I am pretty sure my kids ate the "graham crackers" they were supposed to feed to the goats.

Ahh the giraffes. I love giraffes. On our bucket list was to head to Binder Park Zoo to see the giraffes but this was even better. They came right over to the fence and bent down to eat our carrots.

Such beautiful animals!

Ava still wasn't quite sure about all these animals being so close, so I helped her out.

Meet Darla the camel. She was fun to feed as well.

This pic is my favorite!!

Then we took the safari ride around the land to see the antelope, zebras, ostriches and more!

There were even more animals around that we almost missed! I hear this zebra likes to give kisses!

Bye Darla, until next year!! Can't wait to go back!

Ava takes Ballet

One day my mom called and excitedly said "I signed Ava up for ballet!". I was excited too but hesistant. Ava's not one to branch away from me yet and do something on her own. Knowing that I'd have to drop her off and wait outside the classrom, I was thinking, 'Good Luck with distracting Ava enough to get her to stop crying!' Little did I know that I would eat those words and that Ava would actually pout upon leaving the first class because she didn't want to leave.

The class is 4-5 girls ages two to four. Ava immediately went into class and didn't look back at me. Even when I tried to peek into the room and snap a quick picture, she would see me and shout "No Mommy!".

So you can imagine how excited I was on the fourth week when parents get to sit in the classroom and watch.

My mom took videos with my phone while I was snapping pictures like crazy with my camera.

The class is very fun and creative taken at our local rec center.

I am sure you're not suprised that Ava has 4 leotards now even though she only goes once a week for 4 weeks. But since she loved it SOOO much, I immediately signed her up for the next 4 week session.

All the girls are so cute with their hair in little buns, oversized and fluffy tutus and itty bitty ballet shoes.

Ava really enjoys playing with the brightly colored scarves.

My absolute favorite picture. Growing up before my eyes.

Those little poses kill me! Nothing but adorable.

Just two more weeks left and then she will take a little break as Austin heads off to Soccer once a week. But I am sure we'll be signing up again after his session is done because there isn't a day that goes by that Ava doesn't ask to go to ballet class. That might just have the be the theme for her third birthday. I mean who thinks about that stuff 6 months in advance......(this girl does)