the zoo

Three years ago when I was working on my master's thesis (how has it been that long???) Thomas started taking Jamie to the zoo on weekends so I'd have uninterrupted time to work. It became a tradition for them that lasted long after my thesis was completed. Many of their best times together were spent at the zoo. Two weeks ago Jamie started a science class at the zoo on Tuesday mornings, and consequently Tuesdays have become the new zoo day.

The first half of the pictures are from Jamie and Thomas's last Sunday morning at the zoo, and the second set are from Jamie's first day of his zoo class. He has loved the class so far, and Jacob and I have enjoyed our one-on-one playtime and animal viewing!

George the gibbon

One of Jamie's favorite things to do at the zoo is watch the cages get cleaned out. It's super hard to drag him away from it.

First day of Jamie's class - we got there as soon as the zoo opened and had time to do a little bit before class started. It was Jacob's 3rd time to the zoo but his first time actually enjoying it.

Jamie's class is in the basement of this cabin.

farmer's market

from a couple weeks ago... I didn't get any pictures of them playing in the splash fountain, which is too bad because they were super cute. Next time!

camping

We spent a weekend camping in Cades Cove and had so much fun! The kids slept pretty well in the tent, it didn't rain at all, and, thanks to some bug-repellent bracelets I got for $1 each at Walmart, none of us got a single mosquito bite. These 3 facts totally transformed camping for us. If only they could be guaranteed every time.

There are too many pictures, but I have a really hard time narrowing it down.

Day 1: We couldn't leave til after Thomas got home from campus (he was still teaching) so we got to the campground around 5:00. We put up the tent, built a fire, ate dinner (tin foil dinners and s'mores), did a very short portion of a flashlight walk, put the boys to bed, and stayed up talking by the campfire.

 

 

 
 

Day 2: After a breakfast of bacon and eggs, we took a drive around the Cades Cove loop road and stopped at a few of the old, historical buildings. We spent the most time at Cable Mill, a 19th-century mill that is still functioning. Jamie received his junior ranger badge. We had a picnic lunch by one of the old homes. When we got back to the campsite, Jacob took a nap in the tent and Jamie dug in the rocks while Thomas and I read and dozed. After everyone was awake, we went and played in Abrams Creek and had seriously the best time. Then we built our fire/ate dinner (hot dogs and chili and more s'mores)/got the boys in bed/sat by the campfire and talked.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Jamie thought this was a beaver's lodge. I don't think it really was, but it did look a lot like it.

Jacob's favorite thing to do: build towers.

 

skipping rocks

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Day 3: After a cold breakfast, the boys played around the campsite while we got everything taken down and packed back in the car. Then we headed home!

trying out big brother's bed

 

 

 
 
 

"Show me your king-of-the-rock face."