This Moment

 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Great Idea from SouleMama

Zoo Camp

Before I had kids I was steadfast that summer camp in unnecessary. I still think it is a little silly, especially if one parent stays home. There is so much to do in summer, why not enjoy it with the kids?! 

Then we became members of our favorite little local zoo 3 years ago. In the first members brochure I saw it:: ZOO CAMP. Starting at age 5, just one week of mornings, $100 a kid. I decided that day, when they were 2.5 that they would attend. 

So, they did! Along with their cousin Joey they went to Zoo Camp last week. Each day they entered the zoo before opening. They covered different types of animals (reptiles, birds, mammals, etc), toured the zoo, touched animals, played camp games and had snack.

They loved it! All afternoon our conversations were filled with fun facts.
"Mom, did you know that a Toucan tosses his food in the air, catches it, then eats it?"
"Mom, a girl condor has a little stripe on her neck, but not the boy"

It was all I could do to not sign up for the Junior Zoo Keeper camp myself.
Who says we can't live vicariously through our kids?! 

Sisters

 15 years ago this Fall, I barely had one foot in New Jersey when I was tackled. 

I had made the voyage to the Garden State for the first time with my new boyfriend/eventual husband. He was to introduce me to his family and I was nervous.

But my nerves were knocked out of me by a bear hug before I even stepped over the threshold. 

Melissa, full of energy and barely a teenager, was the first to greet me and I felt welcome immediately. 

It is hard not to smile when you are with Meliss. 

And everyone laughs at least once. 

And watching my husband with her made me fall in love with him even more. 

And now watching my kids love her, well that just seals the deal. 

We are all lucky to know her and love her and be loved by her. 

(and even luckier that she is a teacher and hangs with us all summer!!)