by Sarah | Jun 22, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, Blogging Life
[flickr id=”7415474854″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Yesterday we got to buck routine and head into the Indianapolis Zoo for a special treat. We went to see the Flights of Fancy exhibit with a few bloggy friends & their kids.
For those in the know in Indy…the new Flights of Fancy exhibit replaced the old petting zoo.
I’m here to tell you that it’s miles above the old petting zoo. Miles and miles.
First off, the area is sort of its own little oasis set onto about an acre of land on zoo property. With a concession stand, tables (w/ umbrellas), a little playground, restrooms and – for the mothers – a Nursing Mom’s Nest (which has private feeding areas, changing stations & a chalkboard/books for the siblings).
While we waited for everyone to arrive, Jackie & I felt comfortable sitting at one of the tables while our children played about in the area. No matter whether they were staring into the aviaries, watching the flamingos, or scrambling through the tree-house play area they were never out of our sight line.
[flickr id=”7417292054″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]The Flights of Fancy exhibit hosts three aviaries. First is the Budgies. With one of the tickets (you can purchase at the ticket window right inside the exhibit) you get a seed stick to feed the birds. A tip we were given – go early in the day. When the birds little bellies aren’t full – they are all over the seeds then. And they didn’t disappoint. Hopping onto hands and heads. I got buzzed more than a few times in there! The budgies are adorable, colorful, and hungry little guys first thing.
[flickr id=”7417285584″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] They also have an “Out of Africa” aviary. There’s no feeding here, but lots of birds much closer than in any standard exhibit. After that you get to the Lorikeets. These guys feed on nectar – which you can also get for the cost of a ticket – I was fortunate enough to have someone hand me their leftovers so the kiddos could divulge the feeding of these exceedingly bright birds.
Over all, this area is totally my new favorite place in the zoo. We could have spent all day there – but the kids demanded time in the splash park. A demand we were also happy to acquiesce to.
[flickr id=”7417302996″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”] While the kids had their fun cooling off on the splash pad, the mom’s all made time to talk. I got to know Jackie better – finding out we have led similar lives. I got to know Katrina and Veronica too, and expanding your circle of friends is never a bad thing.
Lately the zoo has become our meeting place with other bloggers & I love it for that. It’s a great central location that is kid-friendly and relaxing even on the busiest days. I also learned about some other zoo events I knew nothing about – that I plan to take full advantage of.
Bonus for me? The girls & I got there early, right at opening. Because of that for the first time we got to see the Tiger Forest for what it was meant to be – Tigers in your face.
I’m probably going back next week. Who wants to come with me?
[flickr id=”7417293736″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417290450″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417299848″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417296470″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”]
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*Disclaimer: The zoo provided us w/ free seed sticks for our kids and free tickets to the 4-D adventure movie. My zoo membership & my opinions are all my own.
by Sarah | Jun 18, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Marriage, All About Me, All of Us, Bucket List, Random
*Please excuse the crappy quality of this picture. I assure you the original is AWESOME…my phone just took a really crappy photo of the photo…
Two months ago Erik & I went to St. Louis. It was a “knock some sh*t off Sarah’s bucket list while getting the heck out of dodge & being child-free” weekend. We had a great time. The highlight of the trip (especially for Erik) was the Anheuser Busch Beermaster Tour.
Running in a close second was the Star Trek Exhibit at the science center. Depressingly, pictures were not allowed in any capacity – except for those that they themselves took & you had to pay for (mind you, it was an expense I didn’t hesitate to pay…but I digress).
Erik & I spent over an hour looking at everything on display. Pointing out errors in the placards (seriously? You’re going to allow blatant errors in a ST exhibit? Shame…). Soaking in the dozens of costumes on display. Erik took this killer picture in the original series captain’s chair (depressingly not set in an actual set – but against a green screen). Toward the end I about passed out as I beheld the TNG bridge set. In geek heaven I wandered around, had my picture taken in the captain’s chair, kept wandering. I sat in Data’s chair, people…DATA’s CHAIR.
Geek heaven.
In the past few weeks there’s been an emergence of an up and coming geek.
The teen has been watching anything & everything Trek (or Trek-approximate) in our house. Considering Erik has ALL the movies (some in double w/ Blu-Ray and Standard) – and Netflix carries all the series – this is a lot of Trek. He also has a Play Station Star Trek game that I don’t remember us having…but he’s been playing pretty non-stop
First it was the movies. All of them. From The Motion Picture to the new Star Trek.
Then he tried the series. Much like me, the Original Series didn’t float his boat much – and he stopped watching it within about 3 or 4 episodes. In the past two days he has watched the entire first season of The Next Generation. I know he’s chomping at the bit to get to Deep Space Nine, but seems dedicated to watching them in order. The proper order.
The kid is my kind of geek.
Wish I could take full credit – but I’m pretty sure most of it goes to my movie-obsessed husband whose fail-safe “I don’t know what to watch” movies are the Star Trek movies.
Either way – the new generation has started it’s Trekkie-love. And I couldn’t be more proud. After all, this is something we can share as a family. Most of the time, we don’t agree on much (that is difficult to do with a teen).
by Sarah | Jun 16, 2012 | All of Us, Random
[flickr id=”5849473154″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Sometimes we forget.
It’s the simplest things that bring them joy.
May I remember to spend the summer catching fireflies.
Drawing with chalk.
Playing in the sprinkler.
Blowing bubbles.
Playing horseshoes or catch.
May I remember that we don’t need a pool.
To travel the world on vacation.
A fancy swingset.
It’s about enjoying the moment like I did then.
Making sure there is love, and laughter, and air conditioning to return to.
by Sarah | Jun 14, 2012 | All About Erik, Crap, Depression, Special Needs
[flickr id=”6202967832″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I talk freely about almost everything here. The kids, their ‘challenges’, my challenges, the days that I feel like giving up and the days of great joy.
There is one thing I never talk about – except in passing. The one subject I never dive into for numerous reasons.
My husband of almost ten years suffers from severe, often debilitating depression.
Most of the time we manage. I am the silver-lining girl. I push us forward, I find the light at the end of the tunnel for him.
But sometimes it overwhelms and consumes.
And one of those times is now.
Erik & I, despite living with this for 10 years, are now making the hardest push we have ever to tackle this.
Together.
So little by little you will see us both start to open up about this here.
When he is ready. When we are ready.
Until then, I only ask that you send good thoughts, positive energy, or prayers (whatever is your preference) in his direction. While we search for answers for the best possible course of action toward a positive future. A future he deserves after his incredibly long struggle.
by Sarah | Jun 12, 2012 | All About Molly, Autism, IEP, Special Needs
[flickr id=”5888385257″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I’m pretty certain that I would not be remiss to say that the beginning of last years school year was a colossal failure. If we sat all involved parties down at the end of the day we would all agree that the road became more rocky than needed.
The school didn’t listen to us. Her teacher didn’t listen to us. Molly was unprepared for school starting again, unprepared for the new teacher…all of us were unprepared for all developments.
This year we’re putting the cart before the horse.
Before last year ended we talked to the principal to make sure we are prepared for the fall.
We will know who Molly’s teachers are before the school year starts. Molly will have a chance to meet her (her homeroom at least, if not all three teachers) before the school year starts.
More importantly, we will meet with them before the school year starts.
We won’t wait for “Meet the teacher” night. We won’t be ignored and told “Oh I don’t look at previous years”.
This year we will be heard.
We will cut the crap off at the past.
We will show that we learned from our mistakes – and force the school to learn too.
by Sarah | Jun 4, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Me, Blogging Life, Giveaway, Indiana Fever, Indy Geek Girls
On Saturday night I got to take in the wonderful experience of an Indiana Fever game. Never having been a huge basketball fan (what separates me from the true Hoosiers), I mostly signed up for the amazing company of the Indy Geek Girls.
Turns out, the WNBA is a lot of fun!! The women play hard, the games are intense but go by fast, and the Fever LOVES families!!
For the Geek Girls, the Fever were marvelous and put us up in the Legends Suite.* From there we had a fantastic view of the court – or the numerous TV’s that were showing every minute of the action. We also had seats around the suite if we wanted to get the arena effect.
Those that say the WNBA is “just” a girls league really needs to go to a game. These women bring it like you wouldn’t believe! I think it’s the first time I’ve enjoyed a basketball game. The women that do this job do it because they love it. They don’t make millions of dollars like the big name men – in fact many of them have to work the off season playing in other countries! The amount of commitment and dedication they have for the game made me appreciate the sport like I haven’t before.
It’s something I would take my girls to, so they could see what it means to do something you love. No matter what the critical men say about what you can do.
The tickets for a game aren’t that expensive. Even better? For their Saturday games they have family night – where for just $13 you get your ticket, Pepsi, chips, a hot dog, and a T-shirt! What’s better than that? Every ticket at Banker’s Life is a great seat, so it’s worth it.
And just to prove that point, the Fever is offering all of you a tremendous discount to come to their next game.
For the June 8th game against the Connecticut Sun, you can get two tickets almost free! All you have to do is pay the $.75 per ticket TM fee. That’s $1.50 to go see an amazing game! Mom’s & Dad’s – this is a great chance to take your daughter out and see what the WNBA is all about!
To cash in on this amazing deal just go here, and select the June 8th game:
www.wnba.com/fever/offer.html
If June 8th doesn’t work for you, please remember the family nights. The remaining Saturday games are: 6/16, 7/7, 8/18 and 9/1.
One last way to save some money – Tuesdays and Thursdays are two for one ticket prices on all levels. My recommendation? Snap up July 10th (a noon game) while you can. It’s Freddy Fever’s birthday – and he brings all his mascot friends along for the fun! It’s perfect for the kids, who doesn’t love to see mascots roaming everywhere?
So now go and pick up some tickets. I promise, you won’t be disappointed – and that’s saying a lot coming from someone that would never watch a basketball game until now.
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*Disclaimer: Indiana Fever put us up in the Legends Suite. We heard the words of the wonderful team of leaders for the Fever, we ate food, had drinks, and excellent conversation. All opinions in here are my own. I truly was impressed with the whole organization.
