A wonderful fall day

We're squeezing in as much fun as we can outdoors! It has been cool and windy this week! Except for yesterday, Wednesday. And it's going to rain all day today. We got lucky yesterday because it was our weekly park day in Des Moines with friends!! We invited our new friends, Karen Buxcel and her boys to Des Moines for park day. Lucky for us they decided to drive down from Story City, Iowa to hang out with us. It all worked out so well! The weather cooperated so we went to the zoo in the morning and to park day in the afternoon. The zoo was a lot of fun! The Gibbons (monkeys) were very vocal and we all enjoyed seeing the animals. Some other neat animal encounters: We saw a two toed sloth up close; baby flamingos with their parents; got to walk next to a clan of young emu (like ostriches); feeding the overly friendly goats and brightly colored coy fish. One of best parts was getting Karen and the boys in with our membership. She only had to pay for Saylor. I love our little Iowa zoo! I think the Buxcels do too.

After a busy time at the zoo we decided to eat lunch at our house, since it is only a few minutes from the zoo. It was fun to show them where we live. The kids were a little tired from the busy morning but we all wanted to go visit with the unschoolers at the park...so off we went!!

We didn't leave the park until 6pm that night (we usually leave by 4pm)!! It was a truly amazing day. All the boys had so much fun with all their friends too! Saylor, Karen's oldest boy visited and played with lots of kids his age. He said he had a lot of fun. Stone, Karen's middle son, and Holden were inseperable. It was a hard day for Holden's dear friend, Marc. We saw first hand how hard it is so share friends when you're 4. But it was good us moms were there to help ease some hurt feelings and talk about what was going on. Karen B. (she used to be a school teacher and has some neat insights) pointed out to me, kids in schools/preschools do not get those luxeries. It was hard for me to see Marc feeling left out but I was glad Rachael was there for him. Being a kid can be tough!!

Karen L. was at the park and I was able to thank her for the "clawfoot tub" she is trading with us. She is so sweet. I'm really excited about the tub!! Please see our other blog "A bus 4 a bus" by clicking "clawfoot tub" above.

The only scary thing that happened was encountering hungry bees at the park. They are really in over-drive looking for pollen this fall. Winter is fast approaching here. One was buzzing around Camden for at least 2 minutes it seemed. I thought it was going to sting him a few times. I vowed never to bring sweets to the park again!! We had been drinking Hi-C and the smell had attracted them. At least we stayed calm and no one was stung.

We were all tired when we got home last night. Holden went to bed easier than Camden. After a few minutes taking care of some things I went to lay down in bed and fell asleep. It had been a long time since I went to sleep at 8:30pm! Cliff brought Camden to bed after I had gone to sleep.

I'm looking forward to next week at the park with friends and hope the weather will cooperate at least one more time!! We hope to see Karen and her boys again sometime!! They are so awesome!! Karen B. and I even agreed we both love the book, "Continuum Concept!" Karen B. is one of the coolest people I have met!! I feel so lucky to have met her and her boys. There are a lot of neat moms in Iowa and elsewhere too! (wink and a smile) I love you all!!

Karen's blog for anyone wanting a peek into their life: http://www.thewildtribe.blogspot.com/

Photos: Holden, Marc, and Ana; Camden as dirty as can be with Marc making a fairy house; Rachael, Marc, and Ana by their fairy house at the park; Masha and Karen talking at the park; Saylor and Stone at the zoo by the snow monkeys; Karen and Sage by the goats; Saylor and the goats; Saylor on the hippo water fountain with Sage below; Karen and Sage by the goats