Big Girls Trip To Abby's House

Today Mallory and I set off for a weekend trip to Abby's house.  This was the first trip Mallory and I have ever taken by ourselves.  She did so well being cooped up in the car for 5 1/2 hours each way.

On Friday, Aunt Angela and Abby took us to the wildlife safari - one of those places you drive through. I had never been and you would have thought I was a 10 year old kid.  I had way more fun than Mallory...and she had a lot of fun!

Here are the girls at the petting zoo!

Crazy lunch time fun

This zebra let me toss pellets into his mouth. He really needed to go to the dentist.  Right after feeding the zebra, an ostrich came and pretty much demanded food.  He grabbed Abby's food bag and ate the paper sack.  Angela and I got a huge laugh - Abby screamed and didn't think it was funny one bit.

On Saturday, Uncle Dan watched the girls and Angela and I went to Wimberely Trade Days. That was fun for us. Bought some Christmas gifts at a really good price. Here is a photo of Mallory in their new country pool.

Adventures at Legoland

Grandma and Papa Nick were planning on taking the girls to Legoland today, but Great Grandma had to go to the hospital.  Since the tickets were already purchased the girls and I went.

The girls and I had a nice time together, but I will say this place is overprice and over-rated.  Maybe if they were 8 -12 year old boys. It is not a place for little kids - not much they can do.

One exhibit we got to see was Dallas - Fort Worth and I thought the people had done an AMAZING job.  

DFW Airport

Two pretty little girls in front of Cowboys Stadium.  Behind them to the left is downtown Dallas and Union Station.

Southfork Ranch 

There is a princess area for little girls and Mallory had the best time.  There was a karaoke machine and Mallory sang and danced with this other girl.  I was speechless that Mallory actually sang and that I didn't have to suggest she go up there.

My birthday

I started off my birthday with a trip to Einstein's Bagels for breakfast with the girls.  When we got home, Mammy and Guy Guy came over so I could go to the spa.  I purchased a package on Groupon a couple of months ago and had to use it so why not use today!

For dinner we went to a hibachi restaurant with Murphy and had a great time.  When we got home Mallory gave me this card.  I was so excited to see that she had done a great job of spelling "Stephanie" and "Mommy." The girls gave me a new water pitcher and a watering can - these are the things they wanted to buy me on their trip to Target with Matt.  I'm happy about both!

Trip to See Big Cats

A couple of weeks ago, I took the the girls and Sam to go see Disney Nature Bears.  After seeing the movie, I learned that Disney has published other nature movies. One of them is called "African Cats."  We rented the movie and after watching it, I took Sam and the girls to In-Sync Exotics.  This is a wild cat sanctuary in Wylie. We invited our friends Lilah, Violet, and Courtney to join us as well. 

In-Sync started with one cougar named Tahoe and has grown to now housing 60 plus cats. Most of the cats come here because they were neglected or abused. All of the cats are so beautiful. I feel in love with this place.

Clockwise: Sam, Lilah Collins, Maggie, and Mallory

Keeper of the Gate

Mallory and Maggie have started making what they call secret gardens in their bedrooms.  Mallory decided that there need to be guards at each bedroom.  When it is time to pick up toys, she always asks if the guards may stay at their post.

Mallory's door

Maggie's door

Baby Frogs

This summer we have had quite a few baby frogs in our yard.  They are so fun to watch and pick up.  Mallory will just go and scoop them up - she has no fear.  Her attitude towards them is quite surprising since so many bugs, etc scare her.  Matt and I are quite proud of her.

Maggie isn't ready to scoop the frogs up, but she will touch them with one finger if they sit still long enough.

Car Washing Time

The new car is "dirty," so Matt and the girls washed it.  Matt was very kind and asked the girls to help him to to give me some time to get things done.  A normal 45 minute car wash/dry/tire shine took about 90 minutes.    The girls had a blast and that is really all that matters.  Car wash + dadda time = memories.