Duck, Duck...Geese

Feeding the ducks and geese at Land Park

After our fun day at the zoo, we took the girls over to William Land Park to feed the ducks and geese. This is probably one of their most favorite things to do and they love the opportunity to get up close with the friendly geese (the ducks don't play that). We just sit back and watch the girls run, giggle, laugh and relish in endless entertainment. I swear that they could do this all day and be perfectly content. The ducks and geese, on the other hand, move on quick once the food runs out. 

The best part of all this, is that it brings me back to when I was a kid and my grandparents took my brother and I to the duck pond. It was undoubtedly the highlight of our day. Feeding the ducks and geese never got old back then. Then one day, when I was around 12, I decided it just wasn't exciting anymore, so I quickly crossed it off my activity list and never looked back, until now. Seeing how much the girls love this brings all those special memories and moments back. It will be bittersweet when the day comes that they no longer want to go feed the ducks and geese, but I will always have these memories and the pleasure of knowing that both the girls (and mom and dad) will get the chance to relive our youth once again through their children. Shout out to the next generation!

Getting up close with the friendly geese

Sacramento Zoo Fun 2014

Another fun trip to the Sacramento Zoo

Beautiful snow leopard

The girls found monkey statues, silliness ensued

Grevy's zebras

Zoo time fun! They love the train

An adorable fox, yep the girls wanted to bring him home

Petting a hedgehog & up close with an armadillo, parrot and hawk

Carousel fun and smiles on the seahorse and flamingo

More Gymnastic Fun & Sweet Moments

Sweet sisters holding hands

At the girls request, we enrolled them back in gymnastics on Saturdays. They both love it so much and enjoy getting to spend 45 minutes exhausting all their energy. After class one Saturday morning, I was quick enough with the phone camera to catch the sweetest moment; two adoring sisters holding hands while walking to the car. I know it seems like something you'd think they always do, but not so, this is a special and rare moment. They are the best of friends, but at the same time locked in a constant power struggle. They fight over toys, food, tattling, semantics, mom and dad time, and who gets to push the garage door button or feed the cat. It can get a bit overwhelming at times, and usually Elise is the culprit for starting many arguments because she assumes the big sister role means getting the first say in everything. Alina is great at pushing Elise's buttons and finding devious little ways to retaliate back. 

All that said, they are finally getting to a point where they are moving beyond the constant bickering and realizing how much they love to play with each other and be affectionate. Can we get a hallelujah on this one! I love seeing my girls show each other affection, and while I know that fighting will always come with the territory, I hope to see many more of these occasions where they take time out for sweet moments; even as simple and fleeting as holding each others hands while walking back to the car after gymnastics class.

Saturday morning fun at gymnastics class

Last Days of Summer & Little Friends

Best little preschool friends - Annie & Alina

Having a wonderful time at Annie's swim party

Happy birthday to Avi! Little Miss Tinkerbell

The summer of birthdays was in full force for the month of August. We know so many August babies, and it's pretty crazy busy and fun getting to spend nearly an entire month celebrating. Little Alina is in good company as some of our closest little (and adult) friends are all proud Leos too. While the girls had a wonderful time at all the August baby parties, Alina especially enjoyed celebrating with her best friend from preschool, Annie. They have been in preschool together since before they could walk, and both adore each other so much. In a short two years they will move on to separate preschools, but I certainly hope that these two always remember each other and the sweet friendship that they shared.

Celebrating cutie pie Leia's 1st birthday

Happy birthday sweet Zuri