Erika has a good friend from home, Jamie Marine. She’s married to a great guy Lee and they have two kids who are the same age as ours. Go figure. Drake and Mira are always bouncing of each other when ever we visit and you could imagine how excited she was that Drake was coming.

We wanted to do something fun when they arrived, so we went to the best place in Cleveland we know to take two 4 year olds: the zoo! We’ve been there enough that we know of some of the little treasures that most people skip. Like the volunteer that is usually holding an animal right when you enter the zoo.

To both Drake and Mira’s delight, they got to see a big ole python. Big fun.

Touch with 2 fingers please!

We didn’t know how much steam we’d have and how much we would be able to see. So we started with the best thing we know of, the Dinosaurs. At first Drake kept laughing and saying, “There’s no dinosaurs at the zoo!”

Au contraire my little friend. Here at the Cleveland Zoo we’ve got Dinosaurs and butterflies and all kinds of awesomeness. Is that even a word… Awesomeness? I think so.

Here’s what’s great. At first those two were all jacked up about the dinosaurs. How exciting. However, the dinosaurs are bigger and louder and a bit more intimidating this year. Drake and Mira were quickly much more concerned about getting eaten than actually seeing any dinosaurs. It was pretty comical.

Don't let the babies in the background get them!

At the end of the exhibit there’s this half dinosaur that kids can sit on and get a picture with. Could we get them to relax for one minute? I think not!

Watch out!

After we got past the dinosaurs, they perked up quite a bit. They even went on a train ride together.

The Australian Train!

After that is was time for a tree house, crocodile, petting zoo and there was even a camel ride!

Mira and Jamie!

We were all over that zoo. Once we got in the car those two were absolutely wiped out! We got home and once they got in front of the TV they were asleep within minutes…

Maybe that was me...

Mira’s last day of school was also this week and she was nice enough to pose for a picture just like she did last fall before the first day of school.

Hello School!

I didn’t realize how big of a deal this was, but they sing songs and go through this entire graduation gig. She was so excited to get her diploma!

So proud!

And of course she wanted a picture with her teachers also.

awwww

Afterwards we went outside and had some Popsicles. Mira sat with one of her friends, Delaney. And I was smart enough to not put on sunscreen so she got a little pink. Sorry Erika!