Proceed with Caution!

Beyond this point there be pictures of.... snakes! On Friday I got to be a chaperone for Erica's school field trip to the Luray Reptile Center. As it turns out it is more of a rescue zoo, as you pass this place the sign will say 'Luray Zoo'. It is a very small establishment but very creepy (to me anyways). The inside has all the reptiles, unfortunately my group was to go there first, and there was a small zoo (mostly birds) just outside. The kids LOVED this trip. A lot of the parents, mostly moms, were having a hard time not being too creeped out. My child was very much braver than me. She couldn't wait to see everything. I'm surprised there were no nightmares as a result. The owner/operator is Mr Mike, a very nice man who is right up there with the Croc Hunter in my opinion. He told lots of stories and gave lots of information. I still have a big fear of snakes, but my respect for them has increased. Still don't want to go near one though. So enjoy the picture show...














On the way. I swear the buses are bigger, i was sharing the seat with these to skinny-minnies.














This is how you get in. The kids in my group wanted to see if the gator had any loose teeth.








































One of the few reptiles in the "house" that I was not afraid of, a big headed turtle.














This picture doesn't do this justice, it was freakin huge! could have swallowed a child whole! I stayed away from this side of the room.














"I wanna see the big poisonous snake that my mommy is to scared to have me see..." This was one creepy room for anyone with a fear of the snake.













STEVE! Mr Mike has a huge alligator turtle (I think that's the name) that is sponsored by Steve and Terry Irwin. One of the pictures to prove it, along with a plaque below it. Mr Mike is on the right.














They were all crowded around this window to see a sleeping croc! A show stopper!


















































































Too cute!
















Heaven help us.... our future drivers!














Erica didn't want to feed the goats out of her hand, so she put the food in a cup. This goat had a hard time getting the four kernels.














After "feeding" the goats she wanted to brush them. They have to be pretty too...














The kids getting ready for the show, front row seats! Had I known snakes were involved I would have opted for the back row!














Mr Mike brought out two snakes for his "show", a copperhead and a rattler! The rattlesnake would actually rattle on cue! But by now she was done and Mr Mike had to rattle her tail for her, DO NOT try this at home!














I thought he was coming to have me touch "puddin", but he said he saw my camera and thought I wanted to take a picture. Creepy albino something (I forget what kind of snake it was).














SHE TOUCHED THE SNAKE!!!!! She was actually petting the snake, but Mr Mike said that you should not pet a snake like you would a dog, they don't like it. I 'll take his word on that.













At the end of the day, lunch then this awesome playground! The kids were so tired that some fell asleep on the way home, all sweaty and smelly!

Days of Fun

This is a house, not a mess and not a fort! He made this with his friend Harrison, just didn't want his picture taken.













"Not me mommy.... get Sofia!" Love how he now sleeps without his shirt. Here he was tryin to tattle on Sofia.














And this is what she does, she spills out her cereal then eats it off the floor. It's better than stepping on them and leaving much to clean up.


















Both busy at work, both happy and not being mean to each other. They're gonna have fun cleaning this mess up later.


















All finished! Every toy that we have downstairs WILL fit on the rocking chair.














If you sneak up very quietly you might be able to get a picture like this... a VeggieTales book, one of her favorites!













She loves to 'read', but she loves to ham it up for the camera more!

What They Do

This is what happens when you fall asleep on the couch during day-light hours. My children feel the need to cover you up, daddy is no exception. Good thing he was completely out for this!














Every Thursday we take my grandma to the "burg" and do our grocery shopping. I get my bag, then grab my girl... well today Sofia had her own bag (an old door hanging). She put her bag on, grabbed a shoe and then looked at me and said "buh-buh". She was so ready to go.














This is the newest thing, take the cushions off the couch and then lay on them on the floor. Every day I have to ask, at least 20 times, to put the cushions back on the couch.














"Moooooooom, I'm watching my movie!"














Look how pasty! The boys had so much fun (and fights) playin in the pool. Aylor got in his swim trunks eventually.














Always eating! Aunt Katy made a yummy treat with chocolate on top, this was Sofia's third I think.














I know! I'm a horrible mother! But it didn't bother her and the next day it was not as bad.














My happy little girl. She was laying on her stomach on the floor, but I just wasn't quick enough.