Aloha Safari Zoo and Rescue...

Today my friend, Eileen, and I took all of our boys to a new spot-- Aloha Safari Zoo and Rescue in Cameron, NC (Aloha Zoo).  It's a safe place and refuge for (mostly) exotic animals that have been rescued from dangerous or unhealthy living conditions.  To say the boys loved it is a complete understatement.  They LOVED it.  Sometimes I find the best outings are the ones I plan the least.

Henry has always been an animal lover and watching him with the different animals today was just amazing.  He is so quick to pet and feed and hold all animals.  He never shies away from them or appears scared, no matter their size or appearance.  Case in point…

Henry was so excited to put this Ball Python on his shoulders!

And these horses received lots of attention…

I mean, how cute and happy is Henry's smile?  (The horse does appear a bit… concerned… but I decided to let it roll.)

The zoo owner makes his living breeding world class mini horses.  Odd but true.  There were at least 12 mini horses at the zoo today and the owner was currently at a horse show with several others.  We heard from the tour guide that every show horse won!

There were lots of newborn animals on the farm, including these baby rats below.  Gross as adults-- but a little less gross as newborns.  And the cow on premises delivered a calf while we were there!  We missed the birth but saw the newborn on the safari ride.

Max and Eileen about to feed carrots to Stretch, the giraffe who was rescued from someone's garage!

 Stretch!  A pretty perfect name for this guy.  All of the boys loved feeding and petting him.

Eileen, Finley and Max getting ready to go on the Safari Ride...

 Our crew!

 Check out this grizzly bear!

 Henry, wearing his alligator shirt, in front of an alligator...

And Peter, wearing his spider shirt, in front of… well, a peacock.  But I'm sure there's a spider in this shot too!

There were at least a dozen peacocks roaming around (boy, are they noisy!) and how cute are these tiny baby goats?

There were over 300 animals at the rescue zoo, including this white tiger James loved...

Pete, Max, and Henry checking out the animals...

 Finn taking a little rest break...

If James, Henry, and Peter were donkeys… hee hee.

It really couldn't have been a better outing.  The company was great, the weather was beautiful, and the boys were so excited with all there was to do and see...

We can't wait to go back again!

These boys...

I don't know why they do what they do most of the time, but they definitely keep life interesting and I am so glad I get to be their mommy.

They're always on the move…

And no normal person would turn my art project into this...

 …but it is kinda funny.

This is Peter's daily bath routine.  He sings and puts on freezing cold water...

 and then goes "swimming."

And these two, Henry and his buddy, Jonathan.  Check out this carnival act…

This is such a fun (and hard) time, watching them grow and discover the world.  I sneak in as many kisses and I love you's as I can during the days.

Because...

and long before I'm ready, these silly, lovely boys will be on their way.

Spring Break & Easter fun...

We returned home from a wonderful week in Maryland yesterday.  We celebrated Easter a day early, on Saturday, with Keith and Marta...

 The boys had a great time hunting for plastic eggs, eating lots of candy,

…and decorating real eggs.

The lovely hostess...

 James and his "million dollar" bill...

 The boys!

On Saturday night, the Easter Bunny came!  Here are the boys' baskets before he hid them...

 The boys loved waking up super early on Sunday to hunt for their baskets and collect eggs...

 I wonder what this funny expression was for...

The Easter Bunny gave all three boys new swim goggles...

 On Sunday afternoon we went over to my cousin, Laura's, house for a wonderful Easter brunch.  This was just the appetizer table!

 A few of the cute Easter desserts she had...

 Laura, Christian, Margo and Amy...

 The beautiful hostess...

 Pete found a quiet spot to rest...

 It was a perfect day for playing outside!

Keegan, Henry, Pete, and Grace (in the pink dress) being silly...

 Another Easter egg hunt!   (Laura's husband, Keith, dropping eggs for the kids)...

The kids got more candy in two days than two Halloweens combined I think!

 My cousin Laura, Debbie (cousin Jon's wife), Andrea (cousin Eric's wife), and me...

Peter in what appears to be a sugar coma...

Mom and me...

On Tuesday we had another great day with Laura and her kids  We went to two different parks, out shopping, had lunch together, and basically spent the day playing and catching up some more.  It was a lot of fun.

 Margo driving the bus...

Our kids took up the entire swing set (Margo was on the last swing but hopped off when I took this picture)...

 A secret family meeting...

 Even Charlie had a great week, running and playing and enjoying all of the extra attention.

The only crummy part about going home to Maryland is leaving again.  Thanks to everyone for making our visit home so very special.  xo