Zoo Fun!!

My mom came down for a day to go to the zoo with Parker and I.  Before the zoo, we went to eat at a local family restaurant.  It has home-cooked food and it is so good! 

We got Parker a kid's plate of mac-n-cheese and he ate the entire plate!  He was still trying to pick up mac-n-cheese, even though the plate was empty! Hah!  

Evidently, he really likes mac-n-cheese (notice the mac-n-cheese on his nose)!

Grandma let Parker sip some of her sweet tea.  He really thought he was hot-stuff getting to drink out of Grandma's cup!

So, on to the zoo!  Parker is ready for a fun, hot day!  We said he got to ride in his "Cadillac" stroller.  Hah!

Our first stop was the parakeet exhibit.  It was really neat.  There were hundreds of parakeets, and you could buy a "treat stick" for $1 and feed the parakeets.  I tried to let Parker hold the stick, but he was playing with it and broke it.  However, we were still able to use the stick to feed the parakeets. 

That's my hand feeding the parakeet - really cool!

Parker enjoyed the parakeet exhibit - we had one fly right past us!

The warthog and the babies - too cute!

Meerkat - I think these little creatures are adorable!

Parker and Grandma at the giraffe exhibit.  You don't realize how big they are, until you are close to them.  They are huge!

Parker was more concerned with the mulch than the Willie B statue.  I guess that means Parker will be a lawn man like his daddy!  Hah!

I thought this monkey was hilarious!  He kept staring at me!

Parker enjoyed the lion exhibit.  Both the male and female were sleeping, but it was still neat to see them!

Outside the reptile exhibit.  Grandma didn't really want to go in, but she was a good sport while inside!

These snakes were some of the biggest I have seen.  They were also very active!  It was amazing - scary, but amazing!

I think this one was a type of python.

An anaconda.  We think it was close to feeding time, because he kept going up to that knob on the door.

I mean, look at the head on this viper - WOW!

A king cobra - this is about as close as I ever want to be to one of those!

This is the fattest toad I have ever seen!

I think Parker's face describes how we were all feeling as we left the reptile exhibit - "Uh, yuck!  Whew!"

Excited to go see the pandas!

This was awesome!  The panda came right over to the window, sat down in front of Parker, and started eating bamboo.  Parker kept trying to get his attention and was even kissing the glass!  I got some good video of this too!

Kangaroos - they looked about as tired as we were by the end of the day!

Such a pretty peacock! (peafoul, I think is the correct term)

This is a type of pigeon - Victoria Crowned Pigeon.  So unique and pretty!

We had a great time at the zoo!  It was hot, about 88, but it really wasn't too bad.  We were glad Grandma Henry got to come down and spend the day with us at the zoo!  Thanks for everything Grandma!

Party Time!!

What a fun weekend!  We went to 2 high school graduation parties.  It was great to see Emily and Hutson and we are so happy for them!  Emily will be going to West Georgia and Hutson will be playing football for the DAWGS this fall! (that's Georgia, for my out of town friends and family) 

The parties were really fun and we were so appreciative of being invited.  Parker had a great time too and he was well-behaved! 

Before we left for Emily's party, Parker wanted to go outside for a while, so we sat on the driveway and I snapped a few pictures.  It almost looks like Parker was stretching!  Hah!

Seriously, doesn't it?  He's stretching!  Well, he's actually cheating because his knee is bent, but at least he's giving it a try!  Hah!

Neither Parker nor Jake would cooperate with this picture, oh well!

After Parker was all stretched and ready to go, we headed to Emily's party.  Our connection with Emily is that I taught with her mom (Debbie) for several years, and Brad taught Emily in middle school.  Emily's mom and I are great friends and it's been so nice to watch Emily grow up! 

As soon as we got there, Parker was off.  It was great that he was able to move all over Deb's house.  It is quite a job now, trying to keep an eye on him!  I was glad we had multiple eyes on him the whole night!

Parker looking out the window to see what other guests were coming over! 

Parker headed toward the food table - that's my boy!

Parker got to hang out with Ms. Jenny.  Their "thing" is they softly head butt each other.  Ms. Jenny taught him this and it's so funny to watch!  Ms. Jenny and Parker are great buddies and I really appreciate Ms. Jenny playing with Parker - he loved it!

Parker was in heaven with Ms. Jenny - resting on his back, clapping, and looking at the fan!

Off to the races - trying to find Mrs. Deb (Emily's mom).

Mrs. Deb was great - she loves Parker and Parker loves her.  They walked all over the house together!  Debbie also let Parker sit on the edge of their hot tub.  He loved that too - he just kicked and kicked and splashed all over.  Luckily, I had brought an extra change of clothes.  Thanks Mrs. Deb!

This is Emily, Debbie's daughter (the graduation girl)!

Thanks so much for inviting us Deb!  We had a great time and your food was AWESOME!!

Let me just take a minute to say that Debbie has to be the best cook ever!  My favorite dish she makes is fruit pizza.  I always ask her if she's making it - even in the winter!  Parker liked the meatballs she made - he ate about 6 or 7!!  Debbie also had beef brisket, brats, potato salad, baked beans, and tons of other yummy treats!  So, so delicious! 

The next day we went to Hutson's graduation party.  Our connection with Hutson is that Brad taught him and tutored him during middle school, and I tutored his younger brother, Dalton.  Hutson's family is so nice! 

The below picture is Parker, Brad and I with Hutson and Mr. Scott.  Mr. Scott was Hutson's elementary principal and he was my principal when I taught at my first school.

Parker loved looking through the window and playing with his spoon.  He wouldn't put the spoon down!

Mr. Scott and I.  It was so great to see him because I haven't gotten to see him in several years.  He was an awesome principal and it was a blast getting to chat with him for a while!