The Zoo

On a recent nice Saturday, we took a family trip to the Sedgwick County Zoo.

The zoo is in the process of fixing up and remodeling the inside area of the monkey exhibit so we got to see the Chimpanzees in their outdoor exhibit area.  The baby Chimpanzee is always fun to watch.

Sarah requested that we walk around in the jungle area (Rain Forest).  She likes to see the birds and walk behind the waterfall there.

The zoo has two new baby tigers right now.  They were born this summer.  They are not out for all to see yet, but there is a camera set up inside where they are being kept with their mother, and this is projected out for all visitors to watch in the Tiger exhibit area.

The otters are always fun to look for and watch.  Silas liked standing by the glass and looking into the water.

Silas also liked the Penguins.  Again, he could stand or be held right up by the glass so that he could be up close to the Penguins when they swam by him.

First Day of First Grade

Sarah started first grade last Tuesday.  She picked out a new Disney princess lunch box and backpack a couple weeks ago and, Nanee took her shopping and helped her get all of the things on her school supply list.  I think she was ready.  Just a little nervous... The closer it got the more she asked us about it... Then started she saying things like, "I don't want to go to school" and "Do I have to go to school?". 

When Tuesday arrived she got up, got dressed, helped pack her lunch, and was ready to go.

She picked to wear a new outfit that I got her, a necklace, and her new shoes from Popee and Nanee.  She also wanted her hair in two braids.

Sitting at her desk on the first morning...

Me:  How was your first week of first grade?

Sarah: "Pretty good."

Me: What are some of the things that you have liked the best?  Any things that you did not like?

Sarah: Likes- "Chocolate milk with hot lunch one day, two recesses, my teacher, having my own desk, decorating my popsicle lunch stick (this is used for lunch count each morning), playing with Rian and Brody at recess (Rian and Brody are two of her friends from last year.  They are not in her class this year, but have recess at the same time)." Dislikes- "haven't seen Maria yet.  I miss her.  Listening to all the rules in all the classrooms again and again."

Me: Do you have friends from last year in your class this year?

Sarah: "Yes.  Myla, and Eric, and Ashlynn."

Me: What do you think of eating your lunch at school?

Sarah: "I like it."

Finally Fish'in With Damian

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ (my husband)

My buddy, Damian, and I have talked about going fishing since 2009 and we finally did a few weeks ago.

This is the picture Sarah drew for me before I left on the fishing trip.  Note the worms on the hooks and Damian's beard.

We set lines on the Ninnescah River, Redneck style.

We sat talking around the campfire for hours and ate like kings.  The tent kept out 95% of the rain we got that night, and we awoke to two big turtles and two nice fish on our lines.

Damian did a great job of wrestling this fish once it broke through the net.  He put it in a bear hug and I got the stringer through his lip.

What is your guess on the weight?  I guessed 32 lbs, Damian 36 lbs.  The scale said 28 lbs.  What does that scale know?  Look at that Whopper!

Thank you Lord for a great fishing trip with a great friend.

-Eric Hendrickson

Construction Zone Ahead

We had a construction themed birthday party for Silas's first birthday. Eric brought home a few construction things from work that we used as decorations for the evening and I made a chocolate dirt cake.

I put the cake in the back of one of Silas's new trucks.  And, we served it with a shovel.

Our friend, Regina, made these cute construction shirts for Silas.

We had pizza, salads, and corn on the cob for dinner.

Opening gifts from friends and relatives...  He loved the soft Curious George monkey from Popee and Nanee.

Grandma Great and Mike got him this ball popper toy.  Grandma Great hoped it would get him walking!

Time for singing and dirt cake!  Happy birthday to you.  Happy birthday to you.  Happy birthday dear Silas.  Happy birthday to you.

This time the girls just barely got the candle blown out before he reached in and grabbed for it...

And, this time the cake was chocolate, which he didn't seem to like.

 He did, however, like the vanilla and chocolate puddings that I made to go along with the cake.... "Touchdown!"

We had a lot of fun and it was good to see everyone!  Thank you each for coming and helping us celebrate Silas"s first birthday!

Party guests: (pictured left to right) back row - Paul Hastings, Eric, Sarah, Carla Blackwell, Gloria Hastings, Dan Suttles, bottom row - Charles and Wyonna Hastings, Dorothy Bowers, Phoebe, Mike Miller, Matt Hastings, Silas, Curious George, and Debbie Suttles, (not pictured, Stacee)