In the bug department they have a tarantula that people can hold.  Ava said she definitely wanted to hold it this trip.  And she did!  You wouldn’t catch me doing it in a million years! ;D

There were tons of creepy bugs.  All behind glass where they belonged!  The best ones, we thought, were the leaf bugs and the stick bugs…“I’m the only stick with EYEBALLS!” to quote a famous bug movie. ;D

In the ocean area we have Dory…”Just keep swimming…”

And Laney doing a lot of investigating with a magnifying glass.

Last but not least the butterflies.

Corey was commenting to me how happy I looked.  I was having fun with my camera.  It reminded us of the last time we went.  All I had was a point and shoot and I wanted to get better shots of the butterflies but I couldn’t and I was frustrated.  Not so this day!  The girls were older and could go ahead.  They found all kinds of discoveries and couldn’t wait for me to “catch up” to where they were.  “Hurry up MOM!”  Just before we left there was a butterfly release of some newly hatched butterflies.  That was a lot of fun.  The butterflies weren’t very good at flying and so they were not flying very far from the guy releasing them.  They were landing on all of us.  It was cool.  A great way to “catch” butterflies since you aren’t allowed to touch them while in there…not technically anyway! ;D  Several landed on Corey.  They liked him.  Ava caught one and I had to keep getting them off Corey. ;D

Laney came home from school today and told me she was reading a chapter book at school.  She said it was in her desk.  I asked her what it was and she said it was a Jack and Annie book.  These are the books that Ava is reading.  So I was a little skeptical.  She assured me she could.  So I told her to grab one of Ava’s Jack and Annie books and read some of it to me.  So she did.  And she can!  On big words she has to sound them out but she can do it!  So then I thought, sure she can read it but can she comprehend what she is reading?  So I asked her, “Ok, Laney.  What is happening on this page?”  And she told me.  I waited a few more pages.  I asked her again.  She was able to tell me.  I was very, very proud. ;D

The other morning when I did this I had the girls grab Corey’s point and shoot to take some photos with it while I took mine.  They did a great job!  Here’s one of Ava’s.  They all pretty much looked like this or similar.  I think she’s going to be a photographer…what do you think? ;D

And here is Laney taking photos…

If I had to pick a favorite photo that I took I’d have to pick this one.

And I also did a layout.  Can you tell I love Peonies???? ;D

JMDesigns

Do you have a favorite flower?

On Saturday we were out and about and turned into Tagawa Gardens (the same place Laney went on her field trip in October) just to look around.  I just wanted to look in the gift shop as I had seen some cute things while there on the field trip.  I knew Corey wouldn’t really be all that thrilled with a store like this so I promised 30 minutes and he could even set the timer on his phone! ;D  Luv you Honey!

Well I wasn’t even thinking…cause duh…they had Christmas trees and all kinds of stuff for Christmas.  They had totally restocked the place for Christmas + Holiday shopping.  And…the best part…the place was FULL of poinsettias!!!  As far as the eye could see!  A perfect photo op!  And of course now that I carry my camera with me at all times in my new Tamrac camera bag…well I just whipped that sucker out and away I went!

Ava was being overly photogenic…”Mom!  Take a picture of me here.  Take a picture of me next to this plant.  What about over here?  How about over there?  What if I tilt my head like this?”  It was quite humorous and you KNOW I took advantage of it…cause she doesn’t do it often!!!! ;D

You can view all of the photos on my private gallery here.  Yes I am still messing around with Lightroom. ;D  And my favorites of the day are as follows…

As you can see…one is really tiny…and they aren’t quite orange yet.  But we don’t care.  The kids are so thrilled that our little “experiment” worked…from seed to pumpkin.  I think we’ll have to do it again next year.  It was so much fun!!!!!

It was time for a new plant.  And so I got this today.  It is sitting on the windowsill in my kitchen.  Granted I had to clear the dead ones off before I put it up there…I admit I don’t do well with plants.  I love them…but can’t see to keep them from dieing.  I am able to keep Jade plants alive…I have another one that I’ve had about a year now.  ;D  I love this photo I took of it.  I watered it and some of the water beaded up on the leaves.  Very cool.  Had to get a photo!  Just wanted to share!