keeping the house clean

i was able to reschedule the kids' dentist appointment to be before we moved. (i was actually rescheduling their appointment while we are in florida next week and they offered the day we are moving into the new house but then came up with a cancelled appointment time for us.)  everyone was just raving over their behavior, especially mason because of his age.

for these good kids (and mommy who is trying to keep the house/apartment clean ahead of our trip) we went to the zoo.  the kids were excited to see that they were already setting up some of the halloween decorations.

they insisted.

there is this whole kid-sized frontier town that the kids love.  this was the first time i was able to get a picture (there are usually too many kids running all over the place).

the old train has been retired to the frontier village.  mason loves to ring the bell and call out "all aboard!".

the kids usually stop by the 'news desk' when we visit the jelly fish exhibit because they like seeing themselves on 't.v.'.  today for some reason madelyn was interested in giving a full weather report.

we always admire the zoo's new train. i guess that the lack of a crowd encouraged me to try taking all three kids for a ride.

mason and madelyn were delighted.

maddux and i had a tighter squeeze.

i am not sure what this thing is but the kids love it.  maybe it is an eagle nest?

i feel so blessed to have a fun place to take the kids for free (well except for the popcorn i seem to be buying almost every time...). now to finish the preparations for our bi-annual trip to florida to visit my family and some friends!  love.