We have been teaching our kids about finding value in experiences as gifts, rather than just "things". So, for Hazel's birthday earlier in the summer, the kids decided to give her the gift of a trip to the Zoo, because she sure loves animals. So, we found a Groupon deal for the Zoo, and purchased it. We then printed it out and put it in a white envelope, with a card the kids made for their sister. They decorated the outside of the envelope, as well - and were very excited to give it to her. She was thrilled with their gift!
Well, finally - though still in the mid-90s - it has cooled off enough that we could help Hazel cash in her visit to the Zoo. Lucky us - it was a gift for us all! We spent several hours looking at the animals, feeding the goats, and enjoying a picnic lunch. A great time was had by all. She may have cashed in her gift - but in return, we all banked some mighty wonderful memories of a fun-filled day together. Now that is a gift that is a winner!
Things I want to remember...
-Sawyer and Aspen getting so big, carrying their very own canteens around the Zoo.
-Hazel's sweet, excited voice as she gazed in at the "OX! Mama, look at the OX!" (Some of us would say, "Fox!" but she leaves off the beginning of some of her words and it is pretty darn cute, once you learn her language ;)
-Hudson's sweet baby blues and his tiny birkenstocks. And how big his eyes got when the goats ate out of his hand.
-Jacob getting just as excited as Sawyer when we looked at the reptile house.
-Sawyer so good with his Zoo map and directing us where to go next.
-Aspen with just being her sweet, happy self. And how she loves to bring her rag doll "Coco" with her on all sorts of adventures (I made her the rag doll for Christmas last year, and she is now getting pretty dirty because of so much love - warms my heart!)
-The way Hazel was just as fond of the butterflies as she was of the tigers.
-The excitement that lit up Aspen's face when we read that one of the pack of gray wolf sisters shared her name.
-The way Jacob asks if he can push the stroller, like he is truly excited about it and wants to give me a little break.
-The way I feel when I'm surrounded by my little family tribe...my heart could burst!
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