A Tale of Two Beans

So this post is a little late, but I'm going to use this as an opportunity to catch up on things around here up until this past weekend. Then I will post about this past weekends festivities soon.

So Rian is so, so close to walking that he can stroll side by side with you only holding one hand. We try to get his to take steps in his own, but every time you let go, he stands for a few seconds, then sits down.

This is how he was walking down the hallway the other day - hugging the wall

So after our big bust at the zoo, we decided that we needed redemption, and we needed to take advantage of the perfect weather we were having! So we did a little research and found a zoo that was just as close, in the other direction, south of Worchester - The Southwick Zoo. I was a little skeptical because this was a private, unaccredited zoo, but man was it awesome!

Holding hands in the car - Rian laughs and laughs when Regan holds his hand

Right off the bat, Galapagos Tortoise, super close

The Peacock was in their exhibit too, strutting his stuff

This guy has out sunning himself with his mouth wide open, he had a huge enclosure

So here's the house of the owners, right beyond the African Savannah exhibit

Giraffes - they had a nice new enclosure & house

Rian was in charge of the map

Free roaming deer exhibit was in a large forested area with a picnic area too

Chimps had a relatively new enclosure and a new addition to the family. We watched this little guy play with Mom for quite a while

Bonsai!

Tiger...there were literally just 2 regular chain link fences between me and it, no wonder their not accredited...

Finally the girl gets her Merry-Go-Round Ride!!

Petting Zoo

Baby Goats in the Petting Zoo

Prairie Dog was literally the center of attention

OK, this was just about the cutest thing I have ever seen -
Baby Porcupine
This little guy's eyes weren't even open yet, but Mom had stashed him here in the corner because the monkey's in the neighboring enclosure were throwing a fit and Mom was standing guard barking at them

All in all we had a really great visit, and we will definitely be using this as our zoo of choice from now on. It was very stroller/kid friendly, and way cooler to visit because they don't have to follow the rules set by the AZA. While this could of ended up being a crappy roadside zoo, you could tell that they put a lot of money into it, and the animals are well cared for and kept in more than adequate conditions/exhibits. All around, a job well done.

Home with Mommy!

Handsome Man!

Official 11 Month Photo - The paper didn't even make it to the shoot this time

So, we have some catching up to do... Last month Rian turned 10 Months Old!... and these were the best pictures I could get...

Here's how the past few weeks have gone:

"Look Mom, I can stand up now, look at me touch Regan's coloring books!"

"Mom, can you please get him to stop touching my coloring books!"

"Hey Mom, look Regan's let me use her toy!"

"Give it Back!

"Hey look Mom! We are playing together!"

: ::(Smacks Rian in the Face and Knocks Him Over):: :

Ahhhh...Solice...Where's Rian??

Making his own trouble in the pantry!

So, as you can see, we've been having a lot of fun dealing with Rian's new found mobility. He is in full curiosity mode, and wants to be a part of anything and everything that's going on.

A few weeks ago when we had a patch of nice weather, the kids and I headed to Drumlin Farms, part of the Mass Audubon Society (of which we are members). Spring had sprung at the farm, and there were baby sheep and goats all over the place! The woman at the desk told me there were 7 sets of twin sheep born (one set that morning!).

Sheeeeep! Just hours old... still had part of its umbilical cord attached.

My little lambs! Clearly the sheep are more exciting than mommy taking a picture.

Rian "helping" me mop the floors

Playing with his Easter Eggs

Grandma and Grandpa are here! Hanging at the playground.

Grandma Judy takes a rest after chasing the Birthday Girl around

So the Grandparents made the trek to Boston for Regan's 3rd Birthday! I can hardly believe that Regan is three. Three seemed like it was so far away, not that long ago. We celebrated with the Kasdorf family, at our house in a Minnie & Mickey themed bash.

Uncle Colin Skype-ing in for "Happy Birthday"

Big & Little Mark...out for the count

The next weekend Grandma Gannon came back to stay with us while Kevin was out of town.

Rian the Butterfly

Playing on the i-pad with Grandma

Rian hanging out in The Common

Regan started chasing this Duck

Then the Duck started following Regan, she thought that was pretty neat.

Beautiful Boston Day

Walking man! He loves to walk, and I think he will be doing it on his own soon!

The following weekend was Easter weekend, and Kevin's entire family came out to spend some time with us.

Regan and Derek getting ready for our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Patiently waiting for the start, strategizing...

And they're off!

The older kids eggs were spread allllll over the baseball field

Papa and Rian

Checking out the loot!

Easter Bunny Cake made by Grandma, decorated by Papa

Found her basket!

Rian and Derek found theirs too!

That bunny hid MORE eggs in our backyard!

Finding more eggs

That weekend we had Easter dinner on Saturday, and on Sunday we went downtown to the Boston Children's Museum. Of course, I forgot my camera (bad mommy!). So I will have to wait until I get some pictures off Kevin's phone, or from Grandma Judy. Regan had a hard time at first because I think she was expecting it to be exactly like the one in Rochester. But once she got used to the place she had a lot of fun, and has asked to go back a few times. All in all we had a great weekend and good weather!

This past weekend we decided that we were going to go to the Franklin Park Zoo since the weather was going to be very warm. This seemed like a really great idea at the time, however we've come to regret it. Not only did it take us forever to get there (even though its only like 15 miles away), we waited in line for about 20 mins just to get our admission (which was compounded by the fact that it was like 80 degrees in the full mid-day sun). Once we got in we were greeted by a mediocre (at best) attempt at a zoo. Lots of empty exhibits, lots of un-kept grounds, not stroller friendly at all, and they didn't even have Elephants or Giraffes! Also, their big "bird feeding" exhibit (usually Lorikeets in other zoos) was Parakeets! If I wanted to see a big cage of Parakeets I would go to Pet Smart! All in all it was VERY dissapointing. Regan didn't even want to ride the merry-go-round because it went around too fast!