Zoo Day!

Since the older kids got out of school early today for a teacher in-service, Andrea, Julie and I decided to take the kids to the zoo. We were only there for about 2 hours, but the kids got to do everything on the "must see" list -- the train, the playground and the Africa area. They had so much fun! Caleb refused to ride in his stroller like a baby, so he ran with all the big kids. By the time we were ready to hit the road, he was wiped out!

Here's some pictures from today. I just have to warn ya though.... trying to get a picture of 7 kids is next to impossible!!


Katherine and Jenna on the train.



Isaac, Caleb and Nate riding in the coveted back seat of the train...

My smilin' baby boy!

Here's a pic of all the kids -- Nate, Caleb, and Isaac.... Collin, Katherine and Jenna.... And Max all the way in the back. That's Andrea watching from the side praying that Collin doesn't jump off the train!

Here's the crew....

Caleb, Nate, Katherine and Jenna taking a breather by the lions...

The boys -- Caleb and Collin. Someday, all too soon, they'll be in the same kindergarten class.

Here are the kids watching the sea lions swim below. (L - R) Nate, Max, Collin, Isaac, Caleb, Katherine and Jenna.

On a totally different note....

Last night I got a call from someone on the Ministry Action Team (MAT) at Katherine's preschool. For anyone who doesn't know, she goes to a Lutheran Preschool at a church about 5 miles from our house. I love the fact that she goes to a Christian based preschool program, and find it refreshing that a third party is reinforcing the same morals and values that we have tried to instill in her as well. Character building is sooooo important! I can't say enough about her preschool. It's a wonderful program. With that being said.....

The MAT is the governing body of Katherine's preschool. The board is comprised of the director of our preschool, her boss (who runs some church board), a rotating teacher rep, the woman who called me last night (she's the president of MAT and goes to the church), and then two parents -- one of which will be a church member, the other one will not.

Anyway, the last time MAT met, they were throwing around names of who they'd like to fill the parent spots, and guess who they picked for the non-member???? ME! Not sure why I was the first one to come to mind, but nonetheless, I'm thrilled and honored. It's a minimum one year commitment, but ideally they'd like me to sit on the board for several years. Since Caleb (and eventually a third baby will go there) it's a perfect fit. I'm all for doing anything I can to make the preschool the best possible learning environment for my kids!!