Zoo (x2)

Denver Zoo.

The zoo right now is having a traveling lego exhibit and there are lego structures scattered around the park.  Jameson isn't into legos (yet?), but the older boys were super excited.  The sculptures were pretty incredible.

Gorilla exhibit.

And here they are!!!  Jameson was thrilled when they got super close.  I overheard bystanders talking to each other saying, "That kid in the orange shirt is too cute...he's so excited!"

This one is not laughing...haha.

This bear is nothing compared to the HUGE grizzly bear Uncle Matthew hunted up in Alaska earlier this week!

Lego hummingbird and flower.

Lego bee.

Drummin'.

The new lorikeet feeding exhibit at the zoo.

For 50 cents, you get a little paper cup of nectar to feed the birds.  They were beautiful.  I think they would have eaten even more if we'd come first thing in the morning and not risked them being super full by the time we visited.  Luckily, this one was still a little hungry.

An expert stroller rider (up until lunchtime that is) :)

He's still not too big to want to be held when tired.  But don't we all?!?!

About 5 minutes east of our house (on the other side of the highway) is the Swetsville Zoo.  It's been a "landmark" in Fort Collins for quite awhile, but with all the new construction nearby (Costco just went up next to it), we don't know how much longer it'll be around.  It boasts whimsical animal sculptures made from scrap metal, car parts & more.

Running from Jurrasic Park - watch out!

A huge pleasant surprise was that it's situated right along the Poudre River.

Jameson spent 99% of the time throwing rocks in the river.

I tore him away from the river to make some music with the chimes.

Fishermen?

Nope.  Just a better vantage point for tossing rocks in the river.

I tried to convince him to play in the big sandbox - no luck.

But, he loved driving the "please keep hands off!" motorcycle.  (Maybe I would have felt a little safer if Rob's motorcycle looked like this one when he took me for rides back in the day!)

Sampling of park playdates...

Splash park at the "Gardens on Spring Creek" park.  Jameson is the little guy in the middle of the photo in the green shirt and shorts.

He had the most fun getting wet!

Ava at a neighborhood park (not one of our parks).

We didn't bring Jameson's bike (he still needs a lot of help with it - maybe our own fault for not practicing with him enough), so he decided to just run alongside the crew.

Doesn't every little boy get hydrated this way?!?!

Our go-to indoor park at the Flatiron Mall in Broomfield, CO.  We can't wait for the new Fort Collins mall to be finished late fall/early winter...maybe we'll have a super cool indoor playground too (probably wishful thinking).

Ava and Ash.

The climbing structures are made of a really neat rubber-type of material and the floor is slightly soft/bouncy - a great play space for little ones.

I wanted a coffee for the late afternoon drive home (about one hour) and Jameson insisted on milk.  Can't say "no" to that!  Oh, and in a previous life, I would have stayed and shopped, but not this life (haha)!!!!!

Kid Days at "The Promenade Shops at Centerra"

 "The Promenade Shops at Centerra" shopping area in Loveland, CO hosts kids' events throughout the summer.  We attended two of them - the first had a transportation theme and the second an animal theme.  This first set of pictures is from Transportation Days on July 7th.

A little bite to eat with friends before heading off to see the booths and vehicles.

4 year-old Evan trying to help buckle Jameson into the stretch Hummer limo.

Hopefully, Jameson's only time in the back seat of a cop car!

Checking out an ambulance.

Jameson's favorite - the school bus.  For months, maybe even a year, Jameson has commented every time a bus drives by our house, he counts them, calls them out as we drive by them, etc.  So, this was quite the experience for him!!!  He climbed right in without any hesitation.

Who knows if he'll ever actually have to ride one of these to and from school.  As of now, we're within walking distance to an elementary (school of choice), middle (neighborhood assigned) and high school (neighborhood assigned).  There are so many school options in town.  It'll be quite overwhelming when the time comes to actually pick schools!

Checking out the BIG tractor.

Oh yay!

Animal Theme, August 4th.

Jameson actually held this friendly Macaw!!  I was helping him when he did, so unfortunately I couldn't take a picture at the same time.  Jameson also pet a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach and we got to see many other animals (carefully avoiding the snake booth and people walking around wearing big snakes....freaky!)