Celebrations

A few days before school started Anne dumped a bunch of folded up scribbled on papers and told me to put them in her backpack. When I asked what they were she told me they were invitations to her Birthday party to hand out to her kindergarten class.

I immediately started hyperventilating at the thought.

What can I say? I'm a party-pooper. Yes I am.

So I bribed her.

How about instead we go to Hogal Zoo and have a family party?

After some thought she took it and I breathed a sigh of relief because I bought myself another year before the mania of friend parties starts.

So we went and had a ball. All of the Stevens were able to come and Anne LOVED it.

With the cousins. SO glad the came!

Family pic with the Giraffe. A favorite.


Anne's absolute favorite- Elephants. I have half a dozen pictures like this one. Anne kept saying "Take one of the baby! Take one of the Mom! Now take one together! They're eating, get a picture!" We spent at least a half hour looking at them.

Anne carried her purse around all day. It was hilarious. She refused to put it down and was very picky about what had the honor of going into it. Sunglasses, no. 15 cents and a few crayons, yes.

Libby and Truman.

Climbing on the statues was a hit.

The carousel. Libby was not a fan. But she did like sitting on the peacock chair.

Anne and Sara where in heaven.


Gramma brought sack lunches for everyone with Hostess cupcakes. I turned around and thought Libby had eaten hers really fast. Then I noticed Truman chowing down. Apparently she didn't want hers so she handed it over to a grateful Truman.


Gorilla with Uncle Mitch.


By the end of the day we were bushed but we loved it. We also played on the playground, rode the train and went to the bird show. The camera was not within reach for those events but we loved it all.