PPG Zoo and Aquarium

Over the weekend, we went to the PPG Zoo and Aquarium to check out the new Sand Tiger Shark exhibit. Rylan LOOOOVES sharks. He can correctly identify the names and some facts about 15 or so shark species. Brayden really loves anything to do with SCUBA divers and SCUBA diving. This was the perfect weekend for the boys- as the aquarium had both a special shark event, AND SCUBA divers to watch and talk to. We had a wonderful time there and decided to buy a family membership so we can go back again. I discovered route 130 will take me directly to the zoo, so I can drive the kids there myself without having to "drive in Pittsburgh".

Learning about sharks

Inside the new shark tunnel

Polar bear up close eating his fish ice cube

2 boys, 2 fish

look at those teeth!

talking to a SCUBA diver

Babe's favorite :)

I took hundreds of pictures, a lot of them are really neat. I don't have the time to load more here, but this is a link to view them all:
(for some reason I am unable to link the snapfish album to blogger at this time, I will try again later.)

Mammoth Family Fun Day

We attended the Annual Family Festival at Mammoth State Park last weekend. We had a great time. Mammoth park is beautiful, and it was a great, mild day.

Rylan LOVES sharks, Brayden loves a clean face ;)

They enjoyed riding with friends

And riding ON new friends

Both boys won a large stuffed animal by throwing darts

This was a neat photo from inside a tee pee

Rachel's 11th Birthday

Our neighbor girl turned 11! She had a really fun party at a local fire hall with a DJ and lots of dancing. The boys mostly played ball.

Brayden *thought* he looked cool with this hat style

No, he didn't get dance lesons from Uncle Jack, he was kicking a ball :)

The beach ball head butt

Limbo!

Dancing

Soooo NOT dancing

Yes, we are still doing school

but a bit more relaxed for summer.

We don't plan to take an entire summer break. A few worksheets and books outside on blankets, practical cooking and money math, and some fun documentaries and youtube videos. Of course more focus on the natural sciences. Right now, the boys are deciding which local bird species they will focus on this spring and summer.

Here is a fun way to learn geography-a puzzle!

Poopy Girl

Our dogs are the cool kids of the neighborhood. The other dogs roam into our yard to hang out and do doggie stuff. Chloe is their best friend who lives next door. A beautiful Golden. Every morning at approximately 10 am, Chloe comes to our front porch and stares into our house until I open the door to let Rufus and Neena out to play. They wrestle and sniff, then come in to drink then nap. Repeat daily.

For some reason, Chloe loves to roll in poop. And for some reason, Neena thinks its ok to wrestle with a dog who is covered in stinky poop. Then SHE gets covered. SO gross.

This is her "punishment": A *BATH*!!!

Its farmers market season!

I LOVE growing season. Especially Farmer Paul Sarver's bounty. He has a wonder local organic farm. His produce is superb. His lettuce is Brayden's favorite food. :) Brayden and I left the house early this morning and headed to the farmers market. We bought spinach, two heads of lettuce and basil plants. Yes, I know basil is easy to grow. However, I began my herb garden seeds too early this year and it failed. I had lovely sprouts, but they were too long and fragile. Tomorrow we'll replant them into a large container on the back deck. After the market, Brayden rollerbladed and I jogged along with him around both tracks. We had a great morning together.

My helper for washing and storing, Rylan

He helped to wash the lettuce and spinach

And spin the excess water out

I was happy to use my new salad spinner I bought over the winter. Its XOXO brand, I love it!

Our final product of clean, stored spinach and lettuce!
I like to use the green produce bags...yes, they do work.