Zoo, Kindergarten, and DISNEY

It's officially been forever since I've blogged and thought that it was necessary to catch up a little bit, so here's my attempt...

Part of the reason I haven't been writing is due to the fact that this winter was so, so, so nice and we never stay home!  We were fortunate enough to have nice weather so we took advantage of that by going to the zoo quite often.  The "off season" at the zoo has become my favorite time of the year there.  We try to go on Sundays because the animals aren't fed then and are almost always more active, especially Carson's favorite, the big cats!  The zoo has been under construction since October and since their purchase of Rosenblatt, I don't see that going away anytime soon.  They have recently put out a baby zebra and a baby giraffe.  We've seen the zebra, and Carson was absolutely thrilled.  My favorite part of the zoo, the Scott Aquarium has been closed all fall and winter and is set to have its grand reopening in two weeks, complete with touch tanks, new interactive exhibits and new sea life.  If you're looking for a fun, family friendly, cost friendly, drivable weekend trip this summer, I high suggest Omaha.  Carson is all sorts of excited for the camp he is participating in there this summer.  We'll be learning all about the big cats and being a zoo keeper with other five-year-olds.  

Carson has had a "bucket list" that he's been trying to fill for the last few months in order to "get into kindergarten."  There are still a few things he's trying to perfect like riding his bike without training wheels.  "You can let go when I'm five, mom." This week he completed the kindergarten round-up process and after his kindergarten clinic the other day, he told me he's ready.  I can't believe how much he has learned and grown in such a short time.  Whether or not I'm ready to have a kindergartner is the real question...! 

The most exciting thing we've been waiting for is Carson's fifth birthday.  Back at Christmas time Emily and I were discussing that we wanted to take Carson to Disney World.  Trying to find a time that worked with her schedule, my schedule, and Carson's was a trick, between finals, summer employment, spring soccer, school wide assessments, etc.  Well, we went for it and will be flying out before his birthday and will be returning shortly after.  We were glad we went for it when we did in January, otherwise with the rising gas prices, we might not be going!  We told Carson a short while ago what we're going to do and he was thrilled.  After showing him pictures of what Disney World looks like, he has brought home a number of pictures he's drawn of us at Disney World with fireworks in the sky.  He's convinced that the fireworks are the "magical" part.  He's equally excited to see and stay with his cousin Kalie.  Carson has informed me that he will be sleeping with her while he's at her house, not me.  No trip to Florida would be complete without going to the beach, so Carson's been digging out his swimming trunks to make sure they still fit.  Of course, Emily, my mom and I are all counting the days for what we're considering our "once in a lifetime trip."  

My first year of teaching has gone great and I've learned more than I could have ever imagined, but Carson and I are counting the days left of school.  Although I'm blessed to be able to enjoy other people's kids all day at school, I can't wait for a few more weeks when I'll be able to enjoy mine all day

Not tons of pictures to share.  My camera battery has been dead for too long...

Love, love, LOVE the Iowa Children's Museum!

Emily was trying to see if she could fit... She did.  I think...

I had told Carson about Disney World not long before we were at the museum.  

He was flying to Florida to see Kalie and go to Disney!  

Carson and the Lions, Up Close and Personal!

We were able to make it to the zoo on a December day.  It was perfect with beautiful 50 degree weather, no crowd at all, and very active animals!  We've never seen the lions so active there before.  As most of you know, this is Carson's favorite animals, so he was thrilled!  I feel so fortunate to live so close to such a great place to take a day trip to!  Carson will be excited to see this post, as he will no longer have to look at these pictures on my camera and can see them bigger.

Christmas 2011

This felt like the busiest Christmas season to date!  Between daycare, preschool, school, friend, and family holiday gatherings, we were kind of all over the place.  None the less, it was a great one.  Unfortunately, I didn't get very many present opening pictures.  We were too excited to think about the camera.  Hopefully, grandma got some good ones!  Thanks to all of you who not only helped to make our holidays so happy, but also to those who bring us joy throughout the year.  Hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas!

Earlier in December, Carson's daycare hosted a Christmas meal where the children performed a few songs and we all had lunch together.  On top of that, they had Santa come in just before break began and gave all of the children a gift.  Although I couldn't join, Auntie Em' got to go and enjoy the festivities.  

Ice skating was a first Carson experienced over break.  He had been roller skating so he was feeling pretty confident.  He LOVED it.  I think the adults were wore out way before he was!

Both Kalie and Emily were his skating buddies most of the time.  

Doing it on his own..! :)

Halloween 2011

After a fun filled Halloween weekend, we are finally into November.  We were able to spend Saturday with Grandma Lisa and Auntie Em at the first ever Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo's Spooktacular!  Carson LOVED it.  It will definitely have to become a yearly experience!  Lots of games, activities, animal encounters, pumpkins, lights, and treats!

On "Beggars Night" we spent about 45 minutes trick'er treating and then headed home to pass out some candy.  I don't know which part Carson enjoyed more, collecting the candy or passing it out.  He was absolutely thrilled trick'er treating and informed all those who had mistaken him for Santa that he was actually Papa Smurf!  He insisted on sitting outside to pass out the candy and was so excited when his friends from school came to the door.

Thanks G'ma for making Carson the exact costume he asked for!

Pumpkins!

It was pumpkin carving night at home last night.  Monday night was pumpkin carving night with my coworkers.  When Carson woke up the next morning and saw I had already carved a pumpkin and he hadn't, he wasn't very happy with me.  We were trying to wait until we made it to the pumpkin patch with Emily on Friday, but instead had to go to the store to get one of his own.  It's just a little obvious that the same person carved both, huh?  Happy Halloween! :)

Lost Kitty

When we returned from Omaha yesterday, we found this kitten wandering my yard.  My cat loving friends decided it would be a good idea to pick it up and cuddle it.  God knows I'm no cat loving woman, so I definitely wasn't touching it.  Everyone left, although I think it was hard for some of them to leave without this adorable kitten, and Carson and I went inside and didn't think much about the cat after that.  When we came out to play later that afternoon, we saw that it hadn't left our yard.  Carson was in seventh heaven.  Carson decided the cat might be thirsty so he gave it some water, which led to feeding it bread and milk.  (I have no idea cats eat...!)  In the end, the cat got in our house twice.  It snuck in once and I'm pretty positive the little boy in love with it let it in the second time.  Carson decided the cat needed a place to sleep so I convinced myself it would be okay in the garage for one night only.  Carson got out a beach towel and made a nice little soft spot on top of his stroller.  He was thrilled when he saw the cat was actually laying in it.  When I put Carson to bed, he insisted that I wake him up early in the morning to give the cat new milk, "Old milk is disgusting, mom," and that is just what I did.  He was so excited because he could hear the cat meowing while putting his shoes on.  Much to our surprise the cat was clinging to the top of the screen door.  Carson got it to come down and took it new milk and tore up new bread.  He was excited to go to school and daycare and ask everyone he saw if they were missing their cat.  I have him convinced that the cat's family is missing him and how sad they must be without it.  The cat was not allowed in the garage for today while we're not there.  Carson moved the food and milk outside for it.  I know in his heart of hearts he so badly wants that cat to be there when we get home.  I on the other hand.... don't!  We'll be taking a trip to the vet's office if that is the case!  Ahhhh the surprises in life.  This will definitely be something Carson and I remember for a long time.  :)