Rachel's Zoo

Thursday, September 22, 2011

8 Months!

Getting so big there's no room for "Beary"!

"'Beary' you're so hilarious!"

"Hear me singing? I'm singing for you!"

Showing off the teeth (still only two).

What a handsome boy he is!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

So Abram has had an aversion to his belly, which has gradually lessened over the past few weeks. He started purposefully going to his belly more to play with his sesame street toy. Then he would pull himself up and over things (like us). Two days ago he was thrashing and rocking on his belly but not really getting anywhere and then yesterday when Curtis' picked Abram up from the "frat house", JR said "he was going everywhere!"

So Curtis came home and did some videos. Abram very much likes Hobo's blue brush. The audio on these videos will probably be redundant. Curtis was trying to film a variety of videos for me to choose from, but of course I couldn't choose just one! Enjoy!

I love his intensity in this one!!

Has to take a break first...

I think he'll be ready for a Christmas 5K!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Belated Summer Camps

As many of you know, I work with children all year round doing recreational programming. After school programs during the school year and summer camps during the summer! Unlike a teacher, I never have vacation and most of mine (vacation) this year went to maternity leave! I managed to save a week to use at Christmas at least...but about now, I'm really tempted to use it. This summer went fast and I had several new camps that I'd never done before, some that I'd done before that were altered slightly and some that were exactly the same as the last 3 years! These pictures are not in chronological order...I was a bit too rushed to worry about that, but it's a photo montage of some of the fun times I had with my kids. Just one of the reasons I love my job...I get to play too! This picture above is from Wilderness Women camp while we visited Stormhaven Youth Ranch, an absolutely fabulous organization....I'd love to have something similar when I'm "grown up".

I was "too dry" to go fast down the slip n slide at Stormhaven, so they dunked me in the (very clean) horse trough! Usually a privilege reserved for the birthday girl/boy...several campers hopped in after me! haha Other things the girls got to do here were catch chickens, ride and paint horses, decorate bags, clean the paddocks, slip n slide, etc. So much fun!

Also a moment from Wilderness Women...we went canoeing! I missed out on this activity last summer because of my broken foot, so I was happy to be back in the boat!

Travel Day camp went to the Indianapolis Children's Museum. A great fun place to visit and worth the drive!

We also went to Marengo Cave, where they have this thing called "The Crawl", a spelunking experience for the weak of heart:)

Mr. Jamayle at the Newport Aquarium.

Sea horse.

Funny little worm things that reminded me of Beetlejuice.

In Sugar and Spice Camp we went shopping on the last day...we had fun trying on shoes at Off Broadway.

Absolutely ginourmous, delicious dark chocolate peanut butter cup that cost me almost $5. Soooo good!

My brother-in-law, Travis, came down and volunteered for several days of Sport Fitness camp. He did demonstrations of Shotokan, including breaking bricks. It was quite impressive.
http://youtu.be/2PxWCPMePY8

Mr. Jamayle after breaking his first brick!
http://youtu.be/MtgbV1BqV8A

Safari Camp went to the Louisville, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis Zoos and Salato Fish and Wildlife Nature Center. On Thursday the campers all made shoe box dioramas of zoo habitats for a little plastic animal. This gorilla is at Cincinnati Zoo...still my favorite local zoo to visit.

Baby Giraffe at Louisville Zoo

Elephant at Indianapolis...I was very disappointed in their shows and lack of shade structures.

Horse Camp was one that changed format this year. The whole thing took place at the Louisville Equestrian Center and we took 30 kids! I didn't have to plan a thing, just enjoy the week!

I took my friends daughter with me, who is a horse nut like myself, and she had a good time I think. Here she was trying to keep her egg balanced at a walk, then a trot. Rather challenging.

Art Camp was only one week this summer and Dad came down and helped again. My group was a bit challenging but they produced some nice pieces. We visited the Melwood Arts Center and discovered quite a gem! This was a mobile in their center courtyard. Very beautiful.

Mom came to the show at the end of the week and brought Abram. She watched him that week, which was nice...she's just sat at home and read during Art Camp for the last few summers.

One of my new camps was 5 Cultures. We did activities for Canada, China, India, Argentina and Australia. Other than Canada Day, which didn't go quite as planned, the kids had tons of fun, learning the tango, skyping an Indian woman, eating ethnic foods, going to Kentucky Down Under. It was quite a week!

My friend Rayla came on India day with her Sari she wore to a friends wedding.

So that's my photo montage from this summer... a bit belated perhaps, but this blogging takes away time from Abram so I confine myself to naptime blogging. This also gets pushed back down the priority line behind showering, and cleaning and cooking food for Abram. Anyways, better late than never!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

August

August (actually the whole summer!) has been really hot, so our garden didn't do so well in the tomato department. Curtis wanted to make salsa, so we purchased a few more tomatoes from the local fruit/vegetable stand.

He made 11 pints of salsa and it tastes very good!

The hummingbirds have been abundant this month and frequenting my feeder constantly. I'ts keeping the cats on their toes. Joan is especially vigilant at hummer watching.

Abram still is not very tolerant of belly time...but he's getting a little better...

just won't....

...stay there long!

Curtis is still making fabulous desserts for his co-workers. This strawberry concoction required the purchase of a trifle dish! I've always wanted one of those!

Curtis turned 29! One more year of twenties before he has to grow up:)

He got a skil saw and a chef hat (and a book that's not pictured).

Abram is still rocked to submission by his swing. We have it in front of the window. If it doesn't put him to sleep, he at least is quiet and happy for quite a while.

Holding his own bottle!

This picture cracked me up...reminds me of the door knockers from The Labrynth!

I love that movie!

Abram's first balloon! Took it away before it popped and scarred him for life.

My rose bush in full glory. I think I'll be trimming it back after this bloom.

The garden is still producing. We did another planting of green beans, although we've canned enough to last us till next summer! I'm anxious to see if the sweet potatoes are growing!

Abram with Mammaw Wagner

We had a birthday party for all the August birthdays at Curtis's brother's house. Really good cake:-)

Curtis had his 10 year high school reunion. They had a great turn out and it was really fun! I think I enjoyed it more than my own a few years back. Taylor's brought their new baby "Landry". She was soo cute! Only two weeks old...I have to have a girl at some point!