The Zoo AGAIN!

On Sunday we went to the zoo AGAIN and took our friend Jerrica with us.  Jerrica was so kind to Liza and Liza was thrilled to have a big girl friend with her.  Here are two excited girls just inside the entrance.

As soon as we made it out of the inside exhibits with snakes and scorpions and things I don't like Liza was out of her stroller and having fun with J.  In this picture J is teaching Liza about flamingos.

After flamingos came the sea otters and it seemed as if they were putting on a show just for Liza and J.  They were swimming in big circles right in front of the viewable part of the tank.  Liza was so excited she was jumping for joy.

Next we headed to the playground and petting zoo combo.  Feeding the fish still ranks up there as a highlight for Liza.  I think J enjoyed the fish as much as Liza did.  J was just glad the llama didn't sneeze on her this time.  In the petting zoo they have a giant chicken and an egg that children can climb into for a picture.  Liza wasn't tall enough so I gave her a helping hand.

Liza was awfully adventurous in the playground and went down slides I thought would scare her - nope - she did it again and again.  After we thoroughly cleaned up dirty hands (that goats and llamas had licked) Liza and J crawled into the prairie dog exhibit.  Liza wasn't tall enough to see so J gave her a helping hand.

The tanks of fish were also quite a hit (we visited them twice).  Liza enjoyed the really big fish...

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..until the exhibit started to simulate a storm in the rain forest and the thunder sent her running to Daddy's arms.  The big boom from the straight wind and hailstorm a few weeks ago is still in her memory!

Both J and Liza liked this tank and it is a good thing we noticed Liza pulling up her left sleeve before she stuck her arm in! 

It's hard to tell in this picture but this cut off of an aquarium was really cool and J enjoyed putting her face up close to it.

 

As the day wound to a close Jerrica and Liza walked hand in hand enjoying each other's company.  Here they stopped to check out the Bald Eagle. 

Thanks J for coming with us!  You are welcome any time.

Fishing with Daddy

Last year Santa Claus brought Liza a Dora the Explorer fishing pole and Bair has been waiting for good weather to break it in.  So on Saturday Liza and Bair had Daddy/daughter bonding time over fish at the Cody's pond. 

Apparently many fish were caught and Liza wasn't scared of them at all.  She wasn't much for touching them and made her Daddy take them off her line.  If Bair were writing this post he could tell you what type of fish that is but I can't!

She is getting a little braver and thinking about touching it...

They had a really fun time on Liza's first fishing adventure.  Since Saturday they've gone a second time and Liza wasn't as interested so her Daddy is worried about the novelty wearing off.  I'm not too worried because this morning as she was waking up she said "Daddy come get me.  I'm awake.  We can go fishing now!"

Neil Smith National Wild Life Refuge

Saturday April 10 the Bair family headed for the Neil Smith preserve. Liza loves the badger. There is an exhibit that simulates what it is like being underground and in the corner of it is this huge badger. Liza and he became fast friends. When she woke up Sunday morning she asked if we could go see the badger again.

Last time she wasn't brave enough to touch the buffalo but this time she gave him a kiss!

Well not the real buffalo lounging in the enclosure but the stuffed one inside the learning center.

Stay tuned for pictures from Liza's first fishing expedition and a trip to the zoo with her friend Jerrica.

Easter Egg Hunt at the Whites

After the big Easter morning on Elm Street we headed over to Broad Street for a lunch that only Marcia and Jim White can prepare!  There was enough of everything to feed the neighbor twice.  As always, we are grateful to them for including us in so many of their family activities - it means more to us than you'll know. 

Marcia and Jim and Pat and Wanda gave Liza 2 more Easter baskets and she was thrilled.  She has been playing bubbles, putting on her lipstick and asking to have a piece of candy every day.  You all were too generous and we thank you.

Liza is opening her Easter Basket from Jim and Marcia and admiring all the eggs that the Easter Bunny will hide later in the afternoon.

The girls see that the Easter Bunny is outside and they are looking out the window in disbelief!  They couldn't wait to get outside and see for themselves.

The Easter Bunny got straight to work and helped all the children find eggs - I think the Easter Bunny and the helpers, Justin and Jess were worn out from covering the entire yard with eggs!

Liza was so happy to see the Easter Bunny again and asked if the bunny would teach her how to hop - so off she went - jumping up high! 

We had to get a picture of all the children and the bunny!  Of course there was no way to get them all to look at the camera at the same time but we did our best.  I love that the two babies are checking each other out across the Easter Bunny's lap. 

When it was time to tell the Easter Bunny goodbye Liza was first in line for the hugs!  Thanks for making double appearances Easter Bunny - you are so special to us and we love you.

Easter at the Bair household

Liza was thrilled to wake up and find that the Easter Bunny had been in her room during the night and left easter eggs. When Liza realized today was Easter she was ready to head downstairs and look for more eggs.

After a successful indoor egg hunt Liza and Daddy went to share a bowl of cheerios, Auntie Em headed for the shower and I spotted the Easter Bunny hopping in our yard.  I ran to tell Liza and she jumped off her Daddy's lap and watched the Easter Bunny hop around her back yard!

Easter morning was chilly so we quickly bundled up over pjs and headed for the outdoor Easter egg hunt.  We were so lucky to have a great looking Easter Bunny. 

Look at that Easter Bunny hopping around and shaking its tail!

It took Liza time to warm up to the Easter Bunny and she watched that bunny very carefully.  She didn't let it out of her sight.  I think shortly after this picture she turned to me and asked what is that bunny doing?

Liza wasn't timid long and before too long the Easter Bunny and Liza were giving each other high 5s after every egg find. 

High 5s turned into hugs and it was a wonderfully happy morning.  When we went back inside Auntie Em came down and couldn't believe the Easter Bunny had visited and we didn't get her out of the shower -- maybe next time Auntie Em.