Today we went to the Woodland Park Zoo as a family. Big thanks to the Kolchins family for the zoo membership they gave us for Christmas last year..we’ve enjoyed it so much that we’re very excited that Grandma and Pappo Meyers [...]]]> I’m a bloggin’ fool this week…guess that’s what happens when you have time off work.

Today we went to the Woodland Park Zoo as a family. Big thanks to the Kolchins family for the zoo membership they gave us for Christmas last year..we’ve enjoyed it so much that we’re very excited that Grandma and Pappo Meyers renewed us as a Christmas gift this year!

Maria loves the zoo. This visit was especially fun as last time she went, she didn’t know any animal names…but she knew them this time…and she DEFINITELY knew which animals she wanted to visit. If she had her way, we would have walked back and forth between the lions and elephants the entire time.

Just a few pictures from today’s fun…

The week started out on a somber note, the committal service of my grandma & grandpa’s ashes to a spot in our local cemetery. We [...]]]> The week is over…it’s been a busy week for our family…lots of family, lots of trying to get caught up at work, and most importantly; lots of time playing with Maria!

The week started out on a somber note, the committal service of my grandma & grandpa’s ashes to a spot in our local cemetery. We had a nice ceremony with a wonderful eulogy to celebrate her life from my sister. Then we went over to my parents house for a small reception with some of grandma’s favorite foods as part of the spread.

Tuesday was the big, exciting day in our household; MARIA’S FIRST BIRTHDAY! We had a great time with her. We started out opening her presents…she was given so many wonderful, very generous gifts! I will say that as the Chief Bath Time Coordinator, I’m set for quite some time as a number of the toys were bath time related…YES!

After presents, and a nap, we were ready to begin our day! First was a trip to the top of the Space Needle…the Space Needle was having a sale on annual memberships online so you could actually buy a pass for the card holder & a guest for less then it would cost to have 2 adults to go up to the top; DEAL! So we went to use the pass for the first time. Not sure Maria knew what was going on, she was more fascinated by the “E” on the floor indicating the direction then the spectacular view…maybe she’ll appreciate it at a later time.

After the Space Needle, we went to the Zoo. Another season pass of ours…a Christmas gift from Tiffany, David & Alex. Maria definitely seemed to know what was going on here. I was personally a little disappointing that the “contact” section (they don’t call it a petting zoo any more) was closed…but Maria enjoyed walking around and seeing the animals. Amazingly enough, her favorite was probably the gigantic black sloth bear…we think it’s because it somewhat resembled Lucy. Her least favorite, she actually got quite scared, was the bunny rabbits. It was strange because Maria loves dogs and any animals she’s seen in the past…but when we got to the bunny cage, I had her stand about 6 inches from the bunny (with a cage between us) and she froze…and latched onto my shirt with this super-grip. Odd.

After all of that excitement, we returned home for another nap. Afterward, we went over to my parents house, where Uncle Robert had prepared some of his special rub for a BBQ dinner. YUM! Maria also got to open MORE presents and eat MORE cake. Not a bad day.

The last piece of “news” is that Maria started her new day care facility yesterday. It’s run by the same people as her previous place…she just had to move locations now that she’s over one. Maria did her usual hunger strike on the first day (except for demolishing a mini-cup cake to celebrate a kid’s birthday at afternoon snack)…but she seemed to play nicely…and from the look of her afterward, she definitely enjoyed art time. Probably the biggest change is no more cribs to sleep in, now they have mats and sleep on the floor, that will be interesting. I’m sure she’ll get into the new routine shortly…just takes some time to adjust.

Noting too exciting going on this weekend in our household. I’m taking a co-worker to the Sounders FC game tonight…hopefully with Keller back they’ll be back in form…but other then that, no firm plans. Sorta nice after the crazy weekend we had last week. Ahhh…silence.