So proud of my nephew not only for bringing God’s Word to Watermark last Sunday, but for knowing and accepting God’s calling on his life at the ripe age of 18!
Things have been busier than normal around our home lately. We have had to be more intentional at making time for family time, especially for mom-time. Since the craziness that engulfed us for the last half of 2011, then job/career changes for the hubby, starting a new business for me, family, church, homeschool and day to day life; I feel like I have been going like the energizer bunny.
So this morning after everyone slept in till 10am (including me!!), I decided to ditch school work for a spontaneous field trip to the zoo! The morning drag that usually carries on around here very quickly (and eagerly) turned to “eat, dress and find my shoes NOW mode!” It was awesome! No arguing or negotiating with non-compliant kiddos, everyone hopped in my truck in a great mood! We even found the right route (totally by accident) to the zoo and it was much much shorter than the 45min – 1 hr ride it took me last time.
One hour!! One hour was all it took from the time we all woke up to the time we were 2 exits away from the zoo!
Of course….it’s never ever that perfect…
A couple of exits before the zoo, I looked down at my center console only to realize I had left my purse/wallet which not only included my driver’s license, but also my ATM. For a minute there I seriously considered turning back around to head home. No worries tho, crisis diverted when I remembered putting cash in my pocket from the other night that I had forgotten to put back in my wallet. God is good! I had enough cash for the entry fee, Butterfly Hollow and Sting Ray Bay with exactly $1 left! Thank you Lord for $2 zoo days!
When we first got in the zoo, I pull out my camera ready to capture the memories these Ormeo’s were going to make. Except when I take my first shot, my CF card wasn’t in the camera! LOL yeah it was one of those days. I think God just wanted me to enjoy our time together without the perfect details I am always waiting for. And we did!
It was sooooo HOT! But we’ve also been cooped up at home for at least a week due to the crazy torrential rain that has lingered around Jacksonville. So anything outdoors was very much welcomed! You see Enzo’s crazy smile in the picture on the left?? Bahaha after I told him to be careful when touching the metal ape…he touched the metal ape right as I was snapping the picture.
Oh how I miss Enzo’s “Wankagoo” days. They are long gone!
Of course we had to stop at Sting Ray Bay, only this time Enzo wanted to stop here last, unlike our last visit.
Even between the crazy chaos, they manage sweet moments like this.
Forever ago Enzo and I went on a zoo date. If you know Enzo, then you probably know that he loves loves loves animals. Did I mention that he LOVES animals?? I totally forgot about these pictures and forgot about the fun we both had out there!
His first stop was the Sting Ray Bay at Jax Zoo. haha Enzo was soooo grossed out at the idea of dipping his arms in the water, much less touch the sting ray. But he was so excited about being there and really wanted the chance to touch them. He had so much petting the sting rays and getting occasional splashes when one would play and rise above the water in front of him.
Note to self: Unless your child (or you) want to walk around wet the rest of your trip to the zoo, don’t stop here first. But then again, walking around did dry him off!
He loved the aviary! He was a bit bummed that he didn’t get to hand feed the birds, but the website never mentioned that you had to pay cash for that (and debit cards weren’t accepted). It was funny to see how worried he was about the possibility of a bird pooping on his head just like they did on dad’s.
Don’t let that smile fool you! He was terrified to hang upside down. I was laughing so hard and couldn’t stop long enough to take his picture. Of course he didn’t find it as funny as I did. 
Just when I thought that visiting the stings rays first wasn’t such a bad idea since it did dry him up, then Enzo decided he needed just one more visit! He was soaked from playing with the sting rays, so he had to spend the long drive home without a shirt. If the zoo wasn’t closing he would’ve stayed longer with the sting rays. Enzo had such a blast petting them and it was even more fun for me to watch him light up with excitement!
There’s nada coz I’ve been sticking my drivers license and debit card in my pocket and haven’t carried my wallet in forever.
