Our Week with Tinsley-Day Three

Since we weren't able to go to the zoo Monday afternoon, we decided to go bright and early Tuesday morning. We got there shortly after they opened and both kiddos were excited about seeing all the animals. 

The tigers were a lot of fun to watch. They were play fighting with each other so Eli and Tinsley really enjoyed watching them play.

We always have to take a picture next to the fake tiger poop. 

Both kids loved holding their own map. I loved it because it kept them happy. Win, win!

We stopped by the otter exhibit but they were sleeping. We did find a really cool airboat though. Tinsley and Eli each had to have a picture with them in the driver's seat. 

We saw lots of birds-pelicans, peacocks, parrots, toucans, macaws, flamingos, and much more. 

We visited the petting zoo and Tinsley said hello to the goats and sheep.

The giraffes were fun to watch. They came over to the edge of the clearing when they saw us so we got to see them up close. 

For some reason I always, always, always get turned around in this particular zoo and it takes me FOREVER to get out. I never seem to know which way to go for the shortest exit. We ended up backtracking because I stink at reading maps apparently, but thankfully we found some misting fans to help us cool down.

We passed this rhino on our way out and I found myself envying him. I could have used a nice water hose misting spray on my back right about then as well. What a life!

I promised the kids we'd ride the train before we left to head back home. While we waited for the train to pull back into the station Eli and Tinsley made souvenir pennies. 

We rode the train and then our zoo adventure was over. We said good-bye to the zoo and then hurried to the car towards air conditioning. Whew! Thank the Lord!

Peace out, zoo! It was real, it was hot, it was real hot! We'll see you next time hopefully when it's cooler!

Both kids took a nap on the way home so it was a very peaceful ride back to our house. I cooked supper while Eli and Tinsley played and then we ended our night with a quick dip in the pool. Our week with Tinsley was off to a great start!

Our Week with Tinsley-Day One and Day Two

Saturday afternoon after Jameson's party, Josh and I drove down to New Orleans so we could go to the Garth Brooks concert. Back in June when the tickets went on sale, I was at my computer at the designated time trying to get good tickets to the show. Everyone else in the world apparently was doing the same thing because I wasn't able to get tickets to the show I wanted, the Saturday show at 7 o'clock. That show ended up selling out but lucky for us they added a show that started at 10:30 that night. Yeah, 10:30, at night. Now I'm a night owl, but Josh normally goes to bed when Eli does at 8:00 every night. We knew that it was going to be a stretch for him, but I'm happy to say he made it and so did I. The concert was amazing! Garth Brooks did all of his old stuff and it was so much fun to sing along back like we did during the 90's. It made me miss the good ole days when country music was still truly country. Now I sound like I'm ancient :) The concert started at 11:00 and we didn't leave the arena until 2:00 that morning. Garth Brooks sang and played his heart out for 3 solid hours and it was worth every minute of it (and don't forget he did a show before ours!). We drove back to our hotel and crashed!

Pretty fun night with Garth Brooks at the Smoothie Center in New Orleans.

The next morning we had a late brunch at IHOP and then we headed back to my mom and dad's house. Josh went on back home because he had to be at work the next day, but Eli and I stayed at my parent's house for a couple more days because Tinsley was going to stay with us for the week! Josh and Andrea were leaving for the Dominican Republic to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary so I agreed to keep Tinsley for a week. Jameson went to stay with Andrea's parents. We had lots of fun having little missy prissy around and honestly, I hope I can get her to come stay at least once every summer from now on. It's fun having another girl in the house :)

We started our fun week with Tinsley by going to see the Minions movie with Grammy and Pop Sunday night. It was completely ridiculous and didn't make any sense but Eli cackled with laughter the entire time so I guess it's safe to say he enjoyed it. 

The next morning Grammy and Pop went to work so Eli, Tinsley, and I made plans to go to the splash park that morning. Both of the kids had lots of fun splashing and playing at the park!

We grabbed some Chick-fil-A after the splash park and they got to play on the playground a little after their lunch.

After lunch we went to Josh and Andrea's house so Tinsley could nap in her own bed and so I could check on their fur babies, Brody Jack and Tinkerbell. Caleb, my youngest brother, was going to stay at Josh and Andrea's house while they were gone to watch the dogs, but he wasn't going to get home for lunch to let them out on this particular day so I volunteered. As you can see Brody wasn't worried about where his parents were at all. While Tinsley napped, Eli and I had some down time as well and we all got some much needed rest. 

We had plans to meet my mom at the zoo after she got off work that day, but when we drove out there we found out we'd looked at the wrong time and they were closing up. UGH! We made a quick change in plans and let the kids ride the carousel before going back to Grammy and Pop's house. 

After Pop got off work, we had supper at Izzo's since it was kids night! Whoop! Whoop! They had a balloon artist there making balloons for the kids, so Eli and Tinsley both picked out a cool balloon for the man to create. 

After supper, we went back to Grammy and Pop's house to watch the movie, "The Shakiest Gun in the West." My brothers and I LOVED that movie as kids so I was happy to see that Eli loved it as well. Tinsley was just there for the popcorn :) The movie ended and we all crashed. It had been a long and busy day and it was going to be lots of fun tomorrow!

Jameson's One Year Pictures

Andrea had Jameson's one year pictures taken the week after his party and I just had to share the final images. I'm a proud aunt and I love these babies like they're my own :)

A Note to My Almost First Grader

Dear Eli,

It's late, but I couldn't go to sleep without writing you just a quick letter like I always do the night before you begin school. I know tomorrow will be crazy busy, so I'll burn the midnight oil a little longer because it's for you :)

Eli, what a summer we have had! I think this has been such a memorable summer for me for so many reasons. First and foremost, I didn't have the weight of being fully responsible for our school's yearbook resting on my shoulders so that was such a huge relief! I am so glad that I didn't have to spend my mornings working on the computer while you entertained yourself. It's been so fun to wake up and not have anything planned. I loved every minute of that! Second, our summer was filled with so much fun! I looked at all our pictures that I took over the summer on Instagram and what happy memories we made! I have loved marking things off our "Summer Fun List" with you and deciding what we're going to do next. I'm pretty sure the "Summer Fun List" is here to stay :) Third, just being able to spend time with you has been such a joy. You're such a good kid and I love being able to have that time with you to get to know you better.

Tomorrow you are starting a new grade...first grade. I think I'm taking it a littler harder this year than last year because first grade is the grade I taught for 11 years. To think that you're finally old enough to go is incomprehensible to me. You on the other hand are extremely excited. You know most of the kids in your class and I'm very thankful for that. I'm glad you're going to be with your buddies but it's my hope that you meet some new buddies this year too. I hope you find the classmate who needs a friend and you become that friend for them. Your heart is so sweet and so tender and I know you'll make new friends fast.

Eli, I love you with all my heart. I tell you this all the time but I'm going to say it here too, "You are my greatest blessing from God." I am so thankful that he chose me to be your Mommy because it's such a joy! You are one of the sweetest boys I know and I really hope you always will be. I'm so excited to see what you learn this year and how much you grow academically, physically, socially, and more. I love you sweet boy! I hope that this year in first grade is your best year ever. You are such a joy!! I love you so much!

Mommy :)