And the zoo carousel

These pics are too good, I had to give them their own post. Ellie is obsessed with carousels at the moment, and there's no stopping her from riding when we see one. At the end of the ride, she noticed her reflection in the mirror in the center of the carousel and was absolutely TICKLED. I am obsessed with the photo I snapped of her in all her tickled glory. I mean, just LOOK at that face!

Zoo fun!

Last week, we hit up the zoo with Colleen and Olivia to attend a toddler "class" on horses! They got to play in the "barn" for awhile with all kinds of horse related activities - coloring, playing vet, raking leaves, reading books, molding a horseshoe - and then got to meet, brush and pet a real horse named Strawberry. Ellie is very fond of horses these days, so this was a perfect outing. We also enjoyed meeting the resident donkey, Pedro, who according to the zoo staff is the friendliest of all the barn animals. He sure showed it! A fun change of pace for a Friday morning.

Tubby Letters

Pre dinner relaxation

Sometimes you just need to snuggle up in a blanket, lay down and watch Daniel Tiger while you're waiting for your dinner. She just looked like such a BIG kid doing this, and she stayed this way the entire episode. My heart.

Backyard Fun

Serious about sliding, and two videos below - the first was a start at Wheels on the Bus, but she was distracted by Sister. And the only reason I didn't delete it and just keep the next one (the full and amazing Wheels on the Bus), is because I adore the way she calls for Penny, squatting with her hands behind her, and I never wanted to forget it. Also listen for the SCHNIKIES! when the hummingbirds go crazy on our patio in the 2nd video. Apparently it's my go to instead of another choice word and it totally cracks me up that she has started saying it!

Dutch Bros smoothie happy dance

Ellie's first Dutch Bros smoothie, and mom playing with the Boomerang app, capturing Ellie's good food-induced happy dance :)

Scottsdale Learning and Play Festival

A couple of weeks ago, we met our friends Kaela, Corey and Poppi at West World for a few hours to enjoy the Scottsdale Learning and Play Festival. It was a pretty fun albeit random event with tons of vendors, play areas, musicians, bounce houses, books...you get the idea. Ellie pet a snake, :"rode" a tricycle, played with sidewalk chalk, sat inside a fire truck, walked the tight rope and had a blast! And it was nice hanging with some new mom/dad friends!