Nature Center Visit

We haven't been to the Nature Center since last year, but I am so thankful to have such a fun thing to enjoy right here in our own town! It's inexpensive and just the perfect size to enjoy in a few hours with small children. Sean took the day off and the kids had a blast! Their favorite exhibit was the baby wolf pups. They were precious! They were equally impressed with the river otters and the farm animals at the petting zoo. Porter really surprised us by climbing the rock wall and riding the long slide all by himself! He was pretty proud also! I think he rode it 30 times! They also got to pet some goats and get super close to sheep and donkeys. We enjoyed a simple picnic near the farm animals. It was a perfect family day and even fit-free, which is a huge milestone lately! 

 

Rainy day puddle splashing

When you have two small, active children that have been cooped up for days on end, due to weather, what else is a mama to do? Send them in the rain to find puddles, that's what. Thankfully Nonni was also along for the ride to splash with us and get two wet, soggy kids into a warm bath after playtime. It's these fun, simple moments that will stick in my memory bank as these precious babies grow up far too quickly. 

Free is best!!

Being a family that lives pretty strictly to a budget, finding free things to do/get is way exciting!!! Recently, Chick Fil A had cow appreciate day, which also fell on free slurpee day at 7-11 and we just happened to be in Charlotte (where there is actually a 7-11 gas station). So we sure did put on our "cow outfits" to enjoy a free lunch (possibly dinner also ;) and even went into 7-11 in our cow outfits for a free slurpee, yahoo!! Talk about some excited kids (and mama!). 

Ok, I didn't say everyone enjoyed their cow outfits, per say. But this was too funny not to share!

 

Take me (us) out to the ball game

Monday night, we had such a fun night out at the Asheville Tourist baseball game. We are definitely a baseball loving family (thanks to Sean) and the kids had a blast. Our niece, Ciara, went with us also. We weren't sure how long we would be able to stay, but the kids were having so much fun that we stayed for the whole game. Lots of cheering, walking through the stands, too much junk food and a couple of happy kids/pregnant mama! The kids loved to clap for the players (whether they had actually done anything good, or not) and cheer on Ted E. Tourist, the game mascot. They liked him as long as he didn't get too close. It was kids eat free night, so the kids got to enjoy their own slices of pizza and sprite. Sprite is a big deal for our kids, so they were more than elated. We also tried Dippin Dots (the kids' first time and they were highly impressed) and a fried Moon Pie. It sounds strange, but it was amazing!! Definitely worth a try! 

The famous fried moon pie

His cotton candy was too sticky for his liking, so he tried pawning it off on his sister. 

She didn't mind how sticky it was ;)

You didn't think he would leave home without the "rodeo" animals, did you?!

Mills River family day

Today we had a wonderful family day down at Mills River. I spent many summer days here when I was younger, so it was special to be able to do the same with our kids! We were there over 5 hours! The kids did so well that we even decided to skip naptime and let them keep playing! That says a lot ;) They had a blast playing in/near the creek, collecting rocks, shooting water guns, splashing mom and dad and just exploring. Savannah was much braver than Porter, no surprise there! She ventured out into the water with Dad and splashed around. Porter went out once, but decided it was too cold and he preferred to collect rocks along the shore. We went for walks, had a picnic, played hide and seek, played with rocks and did some more exploring. I have the feeling that this was the first of many days that we will spend together at Mills River! I am so thankful to be back in the mountains and have great, outside places like this!

(Most people put their gummy worms in size order before eating them, right?! No?!)

(Yes, she is eating a rock)