Off to the City and the Zoo

We took the kids out on a couple of outings in early September, including the a visit to the city and then to the zoo. Even though we are in the city a lot, you don't realise the fascination for kids, with all the crowds, streetcars and things to see and do. As for the zoo, it's always a favourite. Here are the photos!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweetheart!

Over the last week or so we've been experiencing a series of firsts - first kisses, first sign language, first steps on her own...and of course today - A's first birthday! The morning started with Z, Mum and Dad all singing Happy Birthday to A in bed, quickly followed by Z leading the way to the presents! A was quite interested in the streamers and sticky bow attached to one of the presents - which reminded me that Z was just the same on his first birthday. The kids had a ball playing with the presents, before we headed off to the zoo for the day. It's been a while since we went to the zoo, and A is just the right age to really start taking it all in. She was watching all the animals intently and pointing to everything she could see. She was intrigued by the giraffes and gorillas and loved the flamingos and goats - as well as the ducks! We ended up spending the whole day at the zoo, and managed to grab a ride on the carousel before heading out. Tonight we had a special princess cake for A, and managed to synchronize all the grandparents, and Aunty N to sing Happy Birthday and blow out the candle by webcam!

We're all going to the zoo today

We've been meaning to get back to the zoo for a while, especially now that A is a little bigger. The weather's been pretty good the last few days as well. Though when we got down to the zoo it was awfully windy, so it ended up being jackets weather (probably on account it's right next to the ocean, so we were getting all that breeze). Anyway, A got a good look at the giraffes, including the new baby giraffe that was in the giraffe house. We got the usual takeout sandwiches from Picnix - which are always fabulous. But just as we were finishing up lunch we noticed the redness on Z's face had started to form into blisters. After a benadryl, we decided to push on and go to the carousel. As we were waiting, Z put his hands up on the railing and they were all red and blistered too. It's the first time he's ever had his hands react so badly...so off to the emergency we went. By the time we saw the doctor the benadryl seemed to have kicked in, so it's still a mystery exactly what caused the reaction. It doesn't seem to be something he ate, so it looks like it was something he touched or something in the air...so it's off to the allergist again this week to see if we can solve the mystery. Here's a couple of photos from the zoo. In the picture of Z on the carousel you can actually see how red his hand was getting - and that was the good side...

Aunt and Uncles

In November we were lucky to be visited by both uncles and aunt. Here are some of the photos.


With Aunty N.

\
Near the Warming Hut with Aunty N and Uncle J.


With Uncle J.


At the zoo with Aunty N.


With Uncle D.


With Aunty N and Uncle D.