the (almost) perfect day

friday was going to be pretty warm so i thought that i would take the kids to the pool in the morning for some outside fun. madelyn was really excited to try out some goggles that we picked up at the dollar store this week. this picture is of her waiting outside in line for the pool to open - goggles on. it is the only picture because i was on my own and didn't want any distractions around the water.

mason is just becoming a little fish! he kept putting his head under water and looking at me like i was crazy when i would pull him back up. on one end of the pool their is a ledge instead of the gradual wade in like a beach would have. mason kept climbing out and 'jumping' in to me. over and over again. madelyn wanted to 'jump' too even though jumping isn't allowed at this pool and the water was only like a foot and a half deep so i would just sort of pull her in and try not to drag her knees on the bottom of the pool.

we ate our picnic lunch outside the pool and mason ate most of it with his eyes closed because he was so tired. that was part of my plan with the pool outing anyway - to wear them out. because we were going to go to a family event for zoo members that night and they would be up past their bed times.

they both fell asleep on the ride home, but mason was the only one who napped once we reached the house and slept for around four hours. while mason was napping, i was working (hence why i say "almost" in the title). madelyn rested quietly and played with play-doh while i was working.

after work we put together and ate a quick dinner once daddy got home. and then everyone got into the car so we could head over to the zoo. madelyn was very excited that daddy was going to the zoo with us! she was also excited to see the dinosaur exhibit that has been advertised everywhere (radio, tv, and billboards). as part of the members only family event that night, the dinosaur exhibit was half-price.

madelyn enjoyed following the 'dino tracks' painted on the ground leading the way through the zoo to the exhibit. we have been since the tracks went down so it was kind of funny that she suddenly took an interest in them. we were all delighted to discover that the heat of the day had already left and the evening was great for being outside.

here are just a few pictures from the dinosaur exhibit. the dinosaurs moved and had sound effects which mason really, really liked. madelyn was more interested in finding the next one. i thought that it was nice that almost all the dinosaurs also had 'babies' with them; it seemed like that might have make the experience a little less frightening.

towards the end of our night out, we let mason out of the stroller. he was so excited to be able to walk around for a little while. we would have kept him out longer but it was pretty crowded for too much wandering.

then home for baths and bed. (madelyn was actually asking to home and go to sleep.) it was a great way to start our low key weekend. love.