We went to the Zoo to see all our animal friends, but seemed to spend most of our time in the different aviaries around the park (thanks to Macie's current obsession with birds).
Listen as Macie calls to them (with non avail...)
We finally lured her away from the birds with the promise of food. Dad and I left Mace and Mom to eat while we played at the playground. Watch as Macie shovels the food into her mouth.
Our family took trips to the water park, Menchies (frozen yogurt), and other "hot spots" around town, including the pool at Lifetime where the family got to relax together.
Check me out as I bathe in the warm sun (I am totally my Mother's daughter...)
Dad's last week of Ohio fun flew by way to quickly and before we knew it the family was eating sushi at Edamame to say our goodbyes.
Macie really enjoyed her sushi, and was all smiles through dinner.
I was acting up a little bit, so Mom and Dad thought it would be funny to give me some lemons to keep me occupied- I have to admit, they did the job.
Before leaving I posed with Kay, my FAVORITE waitress, and promised her we would be back to see her a couple more times before we joined Dad in Arizona in October.
Dad left Ohio on a Friday and Mom, Macie, and I were all sad to see him drive away. To make us feel better we spent Saturday at the pool with Aunt Hayley.
Before getting in the water Mom made Macie and I pose for some pictures...
Once I was in the pool I was too cool for Mom and insisted she leave me alone to play with my friends (she is already starting to embarrass me- what is it going to be like when I am a big girl???)
The following day I met Kiera at the Zoo and the two of us enjoyed riding on the carnival rides in Jumpin' Jacks Landing (the height requirement is 36 inches tall and I fall short of that by about 1.5 inches, so Mom dressed me in 2 inch platforms and I got the green light)!
We had a ton of fun and protested when our Mom's insisted that we got into the Zoo so the other kids (Macie, Carter, and Kiley) could see the animals. Here we are showing off our "pouty" faces:
Back at home Mom got a jump start on packing, so Macie and I were forced to find "fun" home activities on our own.
Mace enjoyed taking a few laps around the garage in the cozy coupe,
but Macie and I have found new ways to keep ourselves entertained:
At the start of the following week it was time for my first day of preschool!
Mom made us a special 3 course breakfast which Macie quickly gobbled down. It began with fruit, continued on with scrambled eggs, and finished with some chocolate chip oatmeal!!! I hope she cooks big meals like this every day I go to school!
When I was finished with the feast Mom let me color a picture of a school bus to get me in "the zone".
After getting dressed Mom and I were off to school (not before she coerced me into stopping and taking a couple pictures first.)
We arrived at my new classroom, the Coral Reef Room, where I met my new teachers and the 15 kids I would be spending my days (M W F) with.
Mom got to stay with me on my first day, but all she did was take pictures of EVERYTHING I did. My favorite thing I got to do was paint. I got to put on a smock and didn't have to worry about making a mess, it was awesome!!
After 2 1/2 hours of crafts, books, and play my first day of school was over. Mom was SO proud of me for being such an independent big girl!
To celebrate my first day we went to Family Night at Lifetime and there were tons of amazing things to do. Check out the look on my face- I was trying SO hard to jump rope without much success...
One of my favorite things, besides the goldfish, juice boxes, and cake, was learning how to dance.
I am super lucky to have such great friends at Lifetime, I don't know how I am going to be able to say goodbye...
Macie and I had so much fun that we slept in 20 minutes longer than normal the following morning, which Mom really appreciated. Check out how happy Macie is when she wakes up in the morning (every am she wakes with a smile.)
The great thing about Macie is that she stays happy all day.
Despite her usual easy going personality, according to Mom she has had the hardest time with my new schedule- I guess she asks for I-E (her way of saying Riley), and walks through the house looking for me when I am not home. Mom tries to take her places and keep her occupied, but I know that there is just no replacing me!
On Wednesday I had my first official day of school (without my Mom) and it came and went without incident, in fact I didn't even look back after I kissed Mom and said goodbye.
My first week of school was awesome and I enjoyed meeting all sorts of new friends. To celebrate my successful week mom took Macie and I to the Zoo. We made sure to stop by the "crocodile roar" and take a picture for Dad.
Mom keeps laughing at my new smile- a step up from the "Mom smile", but still not quite camera ready...
It is much more fun going to the Zoo now that Macie is mobile. She walks around talking with the animals and is lots of fun to observe.
Sometimes she moves too fast for Mom and leaves us behind in the dust:
I am so fortunate to have a live-in playmate and best friend!!!
On Saturday there was a BIG OSU game so Mom let me dress up with my friends and celebrate. I was so excited to wear my Jersey that Julia gave me!!!
Macie opted for a more traditional outfit (a tutu), but got just as much attention.
By Sunday we were wiped out from a long week of schedule changes so we hung out at home. Mace and kept asking where Dad was, and Mom assured us that we would be back with him soon.
To keep our minds off missing Dad Mom let us do some things that she wouldn't usually allow. We got to have picnics consisting of goldfish and cookies, wear princess dresses everywhere, watch movies during the daytime,
and she even let Macie try her first juice box (which I didn't think was fair since I didn't get them until I was at least 2 years old.)
As you can see, one sip was all it took to get her hooked (now she walks around demanding them-"ooose Mom, oose")!
I am looking forward to seeing what else we can finagle out of Mom...
Time seem to be going by fairly quickly, and before we know it Mom assures us we will be back with Dad. I am torn right now between emotions; excitement at the prospect of living in a new house (one that promises to be super cool) with my Daddy again, and sadness because I know I will have to leave my good friends behind.
I guess it won't do any good to dwell, so until we leave I am going to make every moment count. I will post details soon...
