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Kids Gone Wild (at the Zoo)

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We finally did it. After almost three years living in North Carolina, we FINALLY made the trek to Asheboro to visit the North Carolina Zoo. The kids have been to zoos before but not the one closest to us. Not sure why we waited so long. As you’ll see, the kids had a rockin’ good time.

I mean how can they not when you get close to animals like this?

This is my favorite shot of the day. Helllooooo zoom lens.Ah, I just love elephants.

After we started walking through the zoo, it was apparent we’d be doing a LOT of walking. We only brought a stroller for Little Roo so we switched him into a Bjorn (yes, he’s still small enough for it!) so he could see the animals better and then let Big Roo sit in the stroller when he needed. That worked (for a while).

We strolled through the swampy around and glanced down at the gorgeous water lilies.

Then we watched the seals swim circles around their pool. Big Roo got a kick out of watching them. He also got a glimpse at how he stacked up to bears.

We checked out the aviary, too. I didn’t get great bird pictures but I’d see cool shadows cross my path as the birds flew overhead. Luckily, flamingos are lazy and tropical plants don’t move.

The kids enjoyed watching all sorts of animals, including seeing the chimps get their treats: a Kong filled with frozen juice! Doesn’t that one dude behind the log look so chill?

One of the highlights was seeing the zebra and giraffe. There were tons of them and they weren’t hiding from us either. The kids loved pointing at them (especially Little Roo). I’m sure he was pondering if they were black with white stripes or white with black stripes. Hardy har.

Remember what I said about the Bjorn and the one stroller working for a while? Well, we finally broke down and rented another stroller. They were out of singles so we sported this sassy number. I don’t think the kids minded though, do you?

And what’s not to love about playing around in giant eggs?

We paid a little extra for the “extras.” A ride on Dora and Diego’s 4D Adventure (Big Roo’s fave), a pass into Acacia Station to see the giraffes up close and a carousel ride (Little Roo’s fave). Little Roo was mesmerized by how he went up and down, then gave a hearty clap at the end. *cute*

While the kids were kinda indifferent, I was excited to see the Sonora Desert part of the museum. I got all nostalgic about cactus and stuff (I lived in Phoenix for five years). Hello prickly pear, agaves and saguaros! Big Roo was excited to see what the place he was born looked like.

Finally, what happens after you walk around the zoo for six hours with a four year old and a toddler? Well, the four year old STILL has energy to play on their cool playground while the toddler crashes for a much-needed nap.

Don’t you just love watching the kidlets enjoy the zoo? Although them being wild and whiny would have made good blog fodder, it just didn’t happen. They were amazing (and we were lucky). Even through the searing heat, hauling enough crap for a one-week vacation and smelling like sunscreen, we had a blast. Next time though, I’ll be sure to take more pictures. *wink wink*

Mother’s Day Hike- Year Four!

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For four years now, Mother’s Day means, among other obvious things, hiking.

Y’all probably think that I’m super gung-ho and we shuffle out the door at 6 am. Oh noooooo. Not me. I start off every Mother’s Day by sleeping in while Daddy Roo simultaneously makes breakfast while making sure the kids don’t destroy something (welcome to MY world, buddy).

BUT we do get around to a hike every Mother’s Day. We started the tradition in Arizona when Big Roo was just a toddler. NOW look who’s a toddler: Little Roo.

This year we hit Umstead Park, only 15 minutes from our house but green, pretty and with water for the kids (and dog) to marvel. Here are my little hikers:

kids-hiking-umstead-park

Note: Someone *cough- Daddy Roo- cough* should have told me that my headband makes my forehead look bulging. I’m really NOT happy about that picture.

We thought rain was imminent but lucky for us, the mild weather kept us cool. And the light perfect for cool nature-y pictures.

Big Roo even got to carry our old Camelbak for quick access to water… until he decided it was a pain to do anything other than have fun (see who’s carrying it on the way back? PIC: far right)

And Big Roo can’t resist giving his flashy sorta-smile when I break out the camera. Doesn’t he just look like trouble?

I’m adamant about getting a picture with the kids each Mother’s Day but my forehead pic above (and sans shower) just wasn’t cutting it. Instead, we popped out to the deck for a couple of shots before bed. Yep, Big Roo was in his PJs already. Better late than never though, right?

How was your Mama’s Day?

 

Make a Snowflake for the 77kids Wish-4-Snow Charity Drive!

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If your wee ones are anything like mine, I imagine that shopping is usually met with fierce resistance.

I doubt that will happen if you go shopping at American Eagle’s newest brick-and-mortar store, 77kids. In fact, you’ll probably have a hard time getting the kids OUT of the store.

77kids and The Motherhood invited a group of mommy bloggers to the new Raleigh store at Crabtree Valley Mall, not only to check the store out but to also help promote a new charity drive to raise money for WakeMed Children’s Hospital (just by playing on the computer and making snowflakes I might add).

Before I get to snowflake making, you really have to see little about the store AND the clothes because both are seriously cool.

Most kids stores I’ve been to are no different than grown-up stores. Sometimes you’ll get a TV to keep the kids occupied if you’re lucky. That’s not how 77kids rolls.

The store itself is a cool kid’s paradise. They can walk up to the large flat panel screens to scratch records and get their picture taken. Not only that, they can draw on their picture just by using their fingers. There are bean bags to lounge on, images on the floor that move when you jump on them and a mirror thing that Little Roo couldn’t get enough of.

77kids thought of everything when it comes to making your shopping experience easier. For example, the dressing rooms have wooden windows the kids can open to talk to you or pass a different size through. Genius! They also have restrooms, which any mother of a preschooler can appreciate.

Front of the boys' changing rooms

There’s a chalkboard in the check-out line and a prize stand too!

As for their clothes, they are hip, SUPER soft and FUN! They also guarantee their clothes through 77 times in the wash or get your money back.

The Magic Window Your Kids Will Never Want to Leave

Like I said, 77kids knows details. On the outside of the store, the kids can race two birdies in a downhill ski race. Just push a button and watch them go! Prying kids away from it is another story.

If you live in Raleigh (or anywhere near Raleigh), you have to make it to Crabtree Valley Mall to visit 77kids. (If you aren’t near one of their seven locations, you can still enjoy their stylin’ clothes by shopping online.)

Show Your Kids What Holiday Giving Is All About

77kids launched their Wish4Snow campaign to raise money for nine children’s hospitals, including Raleigh’s WakeMed Children’s Hospital.

In stores you can donate 77 cents (or more!) and receive a “you done good” bumper sticker.

Online head on over to the Wish-4-Snow site at 77kids and design your own snowflake. You can even play a fun “catch the snowflake” game.

The goal?  To make a total of 100,000 snowflakes! If that happens, 77kids will make an additional $25,000 donation to the children’s hospitals on top of the customer donations each store collects during the month!

You can make as many snowflakes as you want – not just one! It’s the perfect opportunity to teach kids about the spirit of giving this holiday season.

Plus, creating a snowflake makes you eligible to win a $77 gift card from 77kids (one gift card given away daily) and
enters you to win the ultimate grand prize: an awesome block party for you and 77 pals!

The Awesomeness Continues

Stop back by tomorrow for a 77 Kids $50 gift card giveaway! In the meantime, go make yo-self a snowflake and be sure to share it with friends for a good cause.

Disclaimer: This post is part of a campaign I’m working on with The Motherhood and 77kids. I received a stipend and gift card for participating.

Guest Post: Beach Bum Baby

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Are you guys enjoying my guests so far? Two more to introduce you to!

Today’s guest blogger is Suzanne from Pretty*Swell.

Suzanne and I love to talk about blogging, kids and cool design over big amounts of Pad Thai. I met Suzanne through my friend Heather (who you’ll meet tomorrow) and we clicked right away. She’s an amazing writer and has an unnatural (but hilarious) love for bacon.

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I am SO excited to hang out here at adventuroo today! Mel is just an awesome girl, and I have loved this blog since the moment I laid eyes on that wacky little raccoon (squirrel? bear?) in the banner. She is one creative, smart, funny mama (shall I go on?), and I am so glad we’ve become friends in real life.

When Mel suggested that we write about the outdoors, the very first thing that popped into my head was BEACH.

I absolutely love the beach.

Always have. Always will.

And I really hope that one day I’ll be able to live on the coast.

So it goes without saying that I could not wait to take my daughter to the beach for the very first time. To dip her toes in the ocean and see her reaction to ALL THAT SAND.

She was only five months old on her first trip to the North Carolina coast, not yet able to sit on her own, so we took turns holding her up in this little makeshift tub. Filling that basin with seawater became as much a part of our routine each day as folding open beach chairs or twisting the umbrella stand down into the sand.

She loved it.

I will always treasure the memories of that trip for a reason that I think any new mom can relate to: we slept.

For the first time in the five months since my daughter was born, she slept through the night. Every night! She took epic naps and fell asleep often on the beach. I was giddy.

Fueled by the desperation of sleep-deprivation, I vowed that we were never leaving. Something about the beach was magic. The baby was sleeping! Holy crap!

Was it the salt air? The rhythmic cadence of the waves? Perhaps it was the rental company’s crib, which I contemplated stealing. See: desperate.

Whatever the magic was, I wanted to bottle it up and take it home by the caseload.

But that’s just the thing about the beach.

You can’t put your finger on just one thing.

The air, the water, the soft sand, even the squawking gulls. And, oh yes, the fried shrimp and fresh-from-the-boat flounder. Let’s not forget those.

Everything about the beach is what makes it wonderful.

I can’t wait to get back.