The Dinosaur Restaurant

When we visited Kansas City, MO to see Aunt Meme and Uncle Ben earlier this year, they took my kids (and the adults) to a restaurant with a dinosaur theme.  At the time, the kids were almost afraid of the moving statues and loud noises that they made.  We were driving along one day this week and Clay wanted to know when we could go to the "dinosaur restaurant" again.  Somehow, he has forgotten the 12 hour drive that takes us to that particular eating establishment!!  On another note, it is one week and a half until school starts for my babies!!! They are very excited and love their new backpacks and lunch boxes.  I can't wait to get those first day of school photos!

Our New Kitten

We have adopted a Tonkinese kitten that is about four months old.  His name is Pepper and he is "ruling the roost" here in Alabama.  Chloe has a fondness for him and totes him around whenever she can find him!  Clay likes cats, but doesn't want the cat in his room messing up his toys :-) Luckily, this cat seems to be perfect - he loves to be petted, doesn't mind his toenails being clipped or going to the vets, tolerates being wagged around like a rag doll - all with grace.  Chloe felt that she had to show our next door neighbors the cat (who is a big cat lover with a huge black cat that answers to a whistle) and he wanted to know if the cat had claws......he was impressed!!  He does like to play more than any other cat I have every owned.  He likes to sit under my bed and attack your feet anytime he sees them.  We are in love!!

Children's History Museum

Today we went to occupational therapy and Mrs. Ruthie tested both of them again to see where they were developmentally.  I can hardly believe it, but they both test two months older than they are!!!  We have come a long way baby.  Two years ago, they were about 9 months to a year behind in speech, fine motor skills and the like.  I really don't know how we have gotten to where we are, but I sure am glad for the help from Huntsville Hospital therapy department!  After therapy, we went to a Children's History Museum.  I found it great fun and the kids did too!  You can see Chloe measuring "beans" out for the people traveling west in the mercantile store.  We also learned how to pack dishes in barrels with straw to protect them.  We "cooked" a meal in the log cabin and played with toys that children would have played with in the olden days.  We also had a blast dressing up in frontier clothes that the women of the time made for their families.  We all enjoyed the hats and long dresses!  

The Birmingham Zoo

Last Tuesday we went to the Birmingham Zoo with some friends.  We had a great time and enjoyed seeing all of the zebras from Africa, sea lions that barked as loud as trumpets, and alligators from the swamps.  They had a new exhibit of kangaroos that the kids enjoyed.  Chloe finally got to see her favorite things - flamingos!  We even found a swan like grandma saw in England when she was there.  While we looked at the butterflies in their "house" the children all sat down and read the map to inform us of where we were and where we should go next.  Chloe was much more interested in posing for pictures!  They also got to pet a camel.  Thankfully, once we saw them, noone wanted to ride one......they had a very, um, distinct odor!