Lydia's First Dance Camp

Can you believe Lydia took her very first Princess Dance Camp today? I can't believe she is so grown up and already doing things on her own. Lillian took mommy and me classes until age 4 and now this little miss just runs into class without giving me a hug or kiss at age 2 1/2 years old. How the second child grows up so much faster than the first one and leave mommy behind!

Lillian and I waited in the lobby while Lydia did acrobats, ballet and crafts. She was so excited this morning and told me at 7:30am she was ready to go. I had to explain the world isn't up and going as early as the Martin household. :) She loved camp and is so ready to go back tomorrow. I am so proud of her!

Lydia has really come into her own these past few months. I can't keep her from talking, telling me "I got it!" or "I do it myself." She has grown a couple of inches, gained a few pounds and looks like a little girl and not my little baby. I will always cherish her chubby thighs, crazy hair and smirk on her face.

How God Made Little Girls

To Lydia:

A speck of frills
With a pinch of pink
A touch of lace
And a dainty wink

He mixed these in
With a love for dance
And heaps of laughter
Some beauty perchance

He added oodles more
Of joy and grace
Then he put some dimples
In just the right place

As a final touch
He included a curl
And with that he smiled
For he had created a girl

Mommy loves you Lydia!

Julie

Ohmaha, Nebraska Zoo!

The Martins hit the road again this morning and headed to Nebraska! We finally made the trip to Ohmaha, Nebraska to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo. We had heard such great things about this zoo and wanted to find out for ourselves. It isn't a bad road trip. It took 2.5 hours to arrive and it was worth the drive!

The day was perfect and it was only 66 degrees when we arrived in Nebraska! Gorgeous and sunny day made perfect for the zoo! The zoo had a lot to offer too. The exhibits included inside viewing and outside viewing for most of the animal exhibits. Of course, the zoo had the normal animals to see, but had a really cool Safari Skyview ride. It is basically a ski lift that lets you tour the Safari area from above. The girls loved this ride and would have rode it again if we didn't run out of time!

We also rode the carousel and train ride. Lydia waited all day to get on the trian and finally it was her turn! It was a cute steam engine and it also took you on a tour of some of the animals. It took a little while to get on the train, but the girls enjoyed it just the same. That is the good thing about this zoo- many ways to view the animals.

We took a picnic lunch and enjoyed it outside. We stayed mose of the day. We left at 8:00am this morning and got home at 8:00pm tonight. The girls were exhausted, but loved every minute! Lydia's eyes were bright red from exhaustion by the time we made it home. We definitely had plenty to do and see today. We didn't even finish some of the zoo, but it was closing time.

So, if you are in this area, then take off for a day trip. It is worth it!

Julie

Thomas The Train Comes to Baldwin City!

All Aboad! It is time to meet Thomas the Train up close and in person! This was our second meeting with Thomas and he was still as sweet as could be! :) Rich was deployed when we visited Thomas the first time in Texas, so it was nice to be able to see him again in Kansas.

There were lots of activities to do while we waited our turn for Thomas. The girls had to complete four stations to receive a special prize. We visited the Story Telling and Video time, Gift Shop, Imagination Station and met Sir Topham Hat. The girls enjoyed meeting Sir Topham Hat and thought he had a big head! :)

There was also a bounce house, slide, swing set, magic show and plenty of food. The train ride was fun and the girls enjoyed going backward and then forward on the tracks. It was a nice 25 minute ride, but a little hot for the girls. Lillian was dripping sweat today and her hair was soaked! I didn't think it was that hot (90 degrees), but that is the Texas girl in me. Now, don't get me wrong, it was hot, but I was dripping sweat like my little one! :)

It was a fun day and we have had another great week. Lillian just finished Girl Scout Day Camp. I volunteered to help with the Tag Along section, so Lydia could come too. We all had a great three days and it was completed last night with smores and campfire songs. They also made first aide kits, flip flops, sit upons, purses and learned how to build a fire. It was great!

Here is to summer! Love you all!

Julie