Lawn Stuff

I have all these thoughts, and occasionally they make it onto Facebook, but not near enough make it onto our blog, which is someday going to be preserved!

A few weeks ago, I was moving the lawn with our barely-hanging-onto-life mower, that I had to pray for to start each time I filled it up with gas. I found a frog and called Annie over to see it, because she told me that is her very favorite activity (finding and catching frogs in the yard). As she is trying to chase the frog, he hopped right under the side of my mower! Dumb frog!!! I was completely shocked and Annie looked at me wondering what had happened. I lifted the mower up and pulled backwards; no more frog! She got over it quickly, but I was traumatized.

Even worse, the mower stopped working. GRRRRR - I was about 1/2 way done with the yard (an hour into it) and I could not get the mower started again!!! Everything I saw online says the mower shouldn't have stopped working because of a little frog, but I wonder if his blood combined with gas and shorted something out. Andy tried and tried to fix it, to no avail.

We debated buying a new one and looked around for a week or so. Then, magically, a newer looking self-propelled mower showed up on Craigslist. Our old mower was NOT self-propelled, so the prospect looked good. The guy had moved to a 2 acre lot and bought a riding-mower. It was a name-brand that Andy liked. So, one day he left work and drove to the middle of nowhere to look at this mower. It started easily and ran well, so we got a new-to-us lawn mower!!! So easy to start. My one (okay two) complaint(s) is the actual propelled part of the machine. Definitely made for a man's hand; mine are tiny. AND, it's only on the right-hand side. I am left-handed. I turned it over to Andy today about 2/3 of the way through because my hand was cramping up. Then, I went for a little run around our few streets. It was fabulous! Can't believe I can run, at noon, in June and NOT DIE!!!

Thanks for listening. It's been a fun and busy morning, but now it's time for everyone to shower and clean up! Ben was a fantastic helper all morning, cleaning the bathroom, the mirrors, and vacuuming the stairs. Then he went outside and cleaned up all the sticks from the storms we've had the last few days. THEN he pulled weeds for awhile too. (I only asked him to do a few things and he did the rest on his own.) And yes, he will hire out. :)

Another Akron Zoo Day

Today, we did a quick trip to the zoo, AND I brought my camera! We've been to this zoo at least a 1/2 dozen times, but I have never remembered my camera. Maybe subconsciously, I didn't want Ben to have proof that we were doing something really fun without him; he loves the zoo. Since summer has begun, we went to the zoo! Lucky us - it was Celebrate World Ocean Day. Pretty cool stuff! We got a free book and a crown to color. And please no comments on the outfits; I picked the shirts so they all matched. Each child has their own special touch onto his/her outfit!!! Love this rope bridge and have been dreaming of a picture of my 3 kiddos on it for so long!!! I thought they were looking at me when I took it...NOPE!!!

The zoo does have a fabulous jellyfish exhibit...that the kids pretty much run through to get to the climbing wall! They all love it!

To the top!!!

Love those socks, Benny!

They had a new little zoo prep area with play food and little cards telling what each animal should eat. The kids prepare and weigh (on a broken scale) the correct amount of food. Ben and Annie loved it. Emily spent her time mopping the floor. Any wonder why I love that little girl so much???

Even with massive amounts of people at the zoo, we stopped to play in the playground fro a few minutes. Emily insisted on wearing her crown and kept it on for over an hour!

Our final stop at the Eagle's nest, overlooking the bald eagles. We had to massively backtrack to get to it since part of the route was blocked off. The things tired moms do for their children...

Fun fun summer vacation day #2. Really, how can you not love the zoo when it is 71 degrees the second week of June! Time is flying by! Another OB appointment tomorrow and then my ultrasound next week! Can't wait to see this little mover/shaker!!!