YUM!

Patiently waiting while I take a picture, at Snuffy's Malt Shop.

Roman went for the cherry on top when I said "go".  Zoe got her turn a few days later when we all shared a Shamrock shake. My, what the diet.

and the rest from Como

This guy....

This guy was batting around a huge barrel like you guys play with empty yogurt containers in the bath. He was swimming and sinking that barrel and throwing it around. 

I don't think I've ever seen a Polar Bear so active. And standing up. He's a BIG guy. I mentally planned our escape route after seeing him so close to that glass. What if he breaks it?

I wanted to watch, and you did too for a short time.

Until you remembered we were just stopping here while we made our way to eat lunch.

I"M HUNGRY!

Watch the bear, Zo!

I'M HUNGRY!

Don't you guys want to watch the bear? It's pretty cool.

I'M HUNGRY!

ok, ok, ok...

Como Zoo

Zoe's zoo- let's go see a Zebra. We're hyper aware of letters right now and you two are good and picking out words on signs that have "your" letters. "R! That's in MY name." Zoe's usually stuck with finding an "E", although one day we hit the bonanza and found a sign with an R and a Z and I'm sure with an odd "o" or "e". Actually I think is by Aldi, which has recently become a go to source for produce and other odd essential. Which means we'll see it again. But back to Como. We found Zoe's zebras, but the giraffe was more intriguing. 

I told you guys this guy was listening to us. I initiated the conversation. You're already wearily tolerating me ;)

See - his ears were moving! Just like a cat folding his ears back.

And he kept a close eye on us.

Made me kind of sad that it's too cold for him to go outside. Just stands in his little space.

Tradition

Give your sister a "huggy huggy" at the Conservatory.  I went looking for the original occurance of this, when we went with Grandma B, but I couldn't find it. I was however blown away how much you two have changed in one year. Yikes.

No prompting from me at all on the hug, for real! They did this about 5 times, but I was never in the spot that would have captured it best. 

Contemplative*

I tell ya, you can't go wrong taking pictures here.

*2.5 seconds

Curious

The Sunken Garden area smelled WONDERFUL.

Demure

Zo, 3 years and 5 months

Vibrant

Playful

Progression of a smile (or extraction of brother from the fountain)

Camera ready (Zoe)

Art appreciation (Roman)

Sensing a theme?

Koi! Finally some "critters" to watch.

Like this

This is THE place to go in February

In Minnesota.
Although for posterity's sake I must note that this has been about the mildest winter I can remember. We maybe shoveled twice. I was going to say once, but the truth is your Dad takes care of that now (for the most part) and I can't be counted on for accuracy. But almost no snow- of that report I do not lack confidence. But not enough snow to go sledding or build a snowman. And only a few short bursts of cold. And not COLD cold. It's amazing how fast we can all get used to milder weather. Or not amazing at all I guess.

We made a trip to Como Zoo and Conservatory today. You both woke up cranky as heck, but it seemed like a good idea. I sold it as "let's get dressed and then I have a surprise for you". That's always fun, especially since you MUST guess what it is. "Is it a treat?". No. We have to get in the car and go somewhere. "What is it?" And assorted whining/crying/I woke up on the wrong side of bed behavior. But eventually we got out of the house. All the while talking about where it was we might be going. 

Were you happy when we got there?

Yes.

Was I happy we went?

Yes.

That, my dears, is success for a Wednesday in the middle of February. Or maybe any day.

My Sleeping Bag

Last night the kids were playing in our room before bed and someone had the idea to stick their feet in the pillowcase. Ta da! A sleeping bag. At bedtime they wanted to do the same thing. Ok, fine. Although I went and got some extra pillows so they would have their regular pillow as well. Both of them got all wrapped up. And went to bed. (Unlike tonight, they are in there yammering away....)

This morning I woke Zo up to get her ready for daycare. Actually she woke up and found me - she all bleary eyed and not really awake. I got her ready in the living room and went in to get her brother. I figured I could flip on the light since little boy was going to have to brave the world eventually. He's not an early riser by nature. Here is what I found.

Still tucked in his "sleeping bag" from the night before. 

Last week when I went to wake him up I took the blanket off. He turned over and pulled it back on. Yeah, buddy, I know. Who wants to leave a warm bed?!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Time to sign the cards...

With no coaching whatsoever, 

Roman opted for a horizontal line under his name (consistently!)

And Zo went for a vertical line.

Yin and yang (or at least my very uncultured view of it). Balance. Opposites. 

You go left, I go right.

It was Saturday night

So this year we attempted the Hudson Hot Air Affair once again. There's NO way to pretend we're ever going to get up early and see the balloons lift off in the early am (weather permitting). So we'll stick with the evening event...and this time bring along Uncle Andy and Aunt Laura.

Shenanigans. And as commented on Laura's post of this picture on Facebook: "someone tell Andy his hair is on fire".

Unfortunately only 2 balloons lit up. Apparently the weather conditions have to be "just so" for this to happen. So we were relegated to watching the "field of fire". Oh well. Too bad for Andy and Laura more than us I think. 

Zo wasn't to keen on the loud noise of hot air balloons (!), so maybe it was better this was a short journey! Plus it allowed us time to stop and A & L's and let you play with little Lucy. 

(photo stolen from Laura's FB page ;)

El Nariz

Schnoz

Nose.

Gold Mine.

Boo

I think this is the longest time we've been able to keep those pigtails in. Or, as Zoe put's it "I'm Boo" (from Monsters Inc).

You still had to do a little checking...Not that I got them very straight in the first place.