A Play Date!

As Christine described me last night, since I am still a "lady of leisure" (i.e., still unemployed,) I have so much free time during the day right now, I don't know what to do with myself! Besides cooking/testing recipes for the cookbook, checking off items on my "to do" list, and spending an hour plus each day searching for and applying for new jobs, my friends have been very helpful in taking me on "adventures!" (For examples, going for walks, going to Target, going to IKEA, having dinner at my house or their house, etc.) I had the BEST adventure with Chelsea and her two daughters, Olivia (23 months) and Norah (just about 5 months.) Chelsea and I laughed that our adventure was a "play date for momma," although Liv and Norah had a blast as well!

Yesterday, Chelsea decided to pack up the girls, pick me up, and we all headed down to the Minnesota Zoo. They have a family plus membership, so I got in for free!! (I will refrain from sharing my full opinions about zoos right now, but suffice to say, the Minnesota Zoo falls into the "nice zoo" category -- the animals have lots of space, well-enriched habitats, look very well-cared for, and the zoo plays a major role in both education of people and reintroduction of endangered species to their natural habitats. So, the short version: I like the Minnesota Zoo, just like I like all "nice zoos.") Chelsea is one brave momma, because she did not bring a stroller! Olivia is a little scrapper, however, so she was just fine with walking the ENTIRE time! :) We all got plenty of exercise, saw lots of cool animals, and Chelsea and I laughed at our "dueling cameras." (You can go to Chelsea's blog to see her shots from the day.) Here is a small selection of the photos I took yesterday!

Here's Olivia, Chelsea, and Norah (the little pink head in the Mei Tei baby carrier.) Olivia has this thing for circles lately, so she found lots of opportunities to find circles and run around in circles during our day. Here, she is running in circles around "mama and sissy:"


Olivia:






Here are two little skate rats trying to take a picture . . .


. . . of a moose!


Miss Norah:




(And yes, it was cold enough out to merit the gear -- I was a bit too chilly in my long-sleeved tshirt, wool sweater, and hat! I should have brought a jacket and gloves, too! I love fall!)