Tyler goes to school, Book Report, and Learner's Permit 8/30 - 9/5/2020

 Sunday the ward tried zooming church.  It would have gone a lot better if the internet hadn't been down.  They ended up using Doug's cell phone to broadcast, so the audio wasn't very clear and we could hear his phone vibrate when he received notifications.  But it was nice to 'attend' church from home.  We had our own sacrament when Doug got home.  

Monday was rough with getting back into school.  Having a 5 day break made it hard to want to do school work again.  But we made it through (with only a few tears) and Tuesday was better.  

Tuesday was pretty busy.  I signed up to feed the missionaries, which was fine, but then we changed our primary activity to be in person (instead of a zoom) and so I had to host that as well.  So it was just a busy day of making food, cleaning up, and getting things ready for the activity.  It was Jenna's turn to pick dinner so we had Favorite Soup.  The missionaries seemed to like it.  It was such a hot day on Tuesday that soup really didn't soup very good at all, but we had a salad and fruit to help us cool down.  We talked about keeping the Sabbath day holy for our primary activity and had ice cream sundaes for dessert.  I had a large group of girls come, around 10.  We tried to social distance as much as we could, but by the end I kind of threw up my hands.  If the parents are overly concerned about Covid, then I guess they should just keep their daughters home - or zoom in. 

Elder Davis is very gifted on the piano and improvised a bottom accompaniment to Damon's Pirates song. 

The girls colored their baptism pillow cases this week. 

Damon and Tyler had orthodontist appointments on Wednesday and both had sore teeth later in the week. I helped clean the church on Thursday - we have to sanitized the building everyday after seminary to keep things clean so they can have class.  

We decided to change Tyler's schedule this week to allow him to go back to school.  I had been talking with his counselor about being able to attend ceramics in person.  The classes were all full so that wasn't going to happen.  Then we learned that if and when Tyler goes back to school he will have new teachers, because some teachers are only teaching online and others are only teaching in person.  So we decided that it would be better to switch classes now and get used to these new teachers sooner rather than later.  Tyler also said that he was having a harder time learning online and would prefer to go back to school.  So after talking to the counselor some more we changed Tyler's schedule and he went to school one day this week.  He said he liked it better than just sitting in front of the computer all day.  So I'm glad that he is able to go to school.  We will probably switch the girls over in October, they will get new teachers too, unless a lot of kids decide to go back and then need more in person teachers.  Damon wants to stay online all year, I wouldn't mind him being at home but I worry about him not getting to socialize.  Chris also likes staying at home.  I worry about him missing assignments and not being responsible.  All of the kids have missed assignments, by either not seeing them on the computer, or by forgetting to submit them.  So it could be a great learning year for being responsible, or it could be a big headache.  We'll see how Chris does during these next 6 weeks and go from there. 

Friday morning Damon and I went to the DMV with Kari and Drew.  Due to Covid the office online said that they are only doing things by appointment and the next available ones were in January!  It did say that they could do a few walk-ins so we decided to go and check it out.  We got there right when it opened and were about 25th in line.  They took our names and made us appointments for later that day.  We went back around 10:30 and went right through.  We had all of the right documentation so the process went smoothly.  When gathering our personal information I realized that my Social Security Card is missing, so I will need to order another one.  So now Damon and Drew have their learner's permits.  Now I get to go driving with Damon and teach him how to drive, this could be fun and scary at the same time.  Doug told me that I-45 is the most deadly highway in the U.S.  not very comforting.  I think we'll stay off the freeway if we can help it.  

We let Damon invite some friends over to play Friday evening, they played some video games and a card game from Star Wars.  Then we all jammed on musical instruments for awhile. Drew is good at the marimba so he played for us, and Austin played on the piano and Drew also showed us some cool things on the drum pad.  The girls went and got their ukuleles and joined right it.  It was loud buy fun making music together. 

Saturday we did our jobs and I went to the store.  Then after lunch we were able to zoom in to Logan's baptism in California.  That was fun to witness, especially since we had just done the same thing with the girls.  His baptism was at a pool too.  

I spent the afternoon going through my emails, I had over 300 - mostly from the school with all of the communication going on from online learning.  But now I only have 30, so that feels so much better.  I just hope I didn't delete something important.

We were going to go swimming but a thunderstorm rolled through.  We watched The Mighty Ducks instead.  The kids weren't too excited to watch it, but we told them it was a good one.  They loved it and now want to watch #2 and #3.  I forget about the swearing and questionable things that they put in some of the older movies.  Oh well, the kids probably don't notice it too much.  

Another fun thing we did this week was record the kids singing Book Report from the musical You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.  We had watched the movie Peanuts earlier and so I played the songs from the musical and they loved them all.  They really liked Book Report and wanted to do a video.  They work hard on memorizing their parts and it turned out so cute.  

Hurricane Laura 8/23 - 8/29/2020

 Well it started out like a regular week of online school, but then on Tuesday afternoon I got a text, email, and call from the school district saying that school would be canceled on Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for Hurricane Laura.  Hurricanes do crazy things to people down here.  Everyone suddenly buys a lot of water and ramen noodles.  Doug and I looked at the weather forecast and it didn't even look like it was going to hit our area very much, it was projected to go east of us.  But you get hooked into the hype and you don't want to be unprepared, so we staked our tramp down on Wednesday evening and I filled up the van with gas and made sure we had milk and bread.  My pantry is always pretty full, so I don't worry about food very much.  

We woke up Thursday morning and it hadn't even rained during the night and we didn't hear any wind.  It was pretty anti-climatic.  But I would much rather get prepared and have no disaster than actually have the hurricane hit us.   It hit near Lake Charles and that area had a lot of wind damage.  There were some power outages near us, but we were fine.  Doug's work was without power so he came home to work.  

We tried to do our normal things, the kids were happy to have two days off of school.  Our A/C was acting up so Doug had someone come out and look at it.  They replaced some of the coils in one of the units and as they left they put bleach and vinegar in the drain pipe.  We found out later that this is a very bad combination and produces Chlorine gas that can be toxic to breathe.  I didn't know about this combination but it smelled so bad in our house that I made all the kids quit playing their games, make their own picnic lunch, and leave to go to the park.  We ate lunch and then played at the splash pad for awhile.  They had a good time playing, Damon just read a book but it was good to play outside.  The house still smelled when we got back, but I think it was a little better.  

After the park I went to the orthodontist with Damon. He is all done with his invisalign! His teeth look nice.  He got a permanent bottom retainer put in and then he will go next week to get some removable ones.  

Tyler went to the eye Dr. this week and his eye have change a bit.  We need to go get him some new glasses.  He tried contacts on for 10 minutes in the office, but he didn't like the feel of them.  Glasses will be better for him anyway because of his astigmatism and he has some vertical misalignment in his vision.  So he gets to start wearing his glasses all the time now.  He used to just wear them at school.  

We did get some rain on Friday evening, it was right when the girls were leaving for their ballet class.  A friend joined the class so we could carpool.  Britney picked the girls up as Doug was leading them to the car with an umbrella.  It was coming down hard, but it stopped by the time class was over.  

On Friday I helped with a baby shower.  I made the cookies earlier in the week - I burned one of the trays so I actually had to make two batches, sigh.  But they turned out cute.  My friend Haley Call came over on Thursday evening to help frost them.  They look like life saver rings since the shower was a nautical theme.  It was a hot day and hanging up decorations outside and doing sidewalk chalk was a sweaty business. I had taken a shower before I went over, but I took another one afterwards too.  

Saturday we went swimming as a family in the afternoon and then invited the Miller's over to have pizza with us. It was pretty last minute, but they were game and we had a fun evening with them.  It was a bit of a scramble getting ready from swimming and then I still needed to go to the store - but it all worked out.  

Doug and I went to the movies after dinner.  Cinemark lets you rent out the entire theater and allows you to bring in 20 guests.  So a friend of ours invited a bunch of couples and we went and saw Inception.  We own that movie so we had seen it a few times, but it was fun to watch on the big screen.

Right before we left for the movies Marcus called us.  They are going to New Orleans for their family vacation at the end of September and they wanted to meet up with us since it's relatively close.  We were looking at Lake Charles, but since the hurricane we figured Lafayette was a better choice.  We had looked at a few housing options earlier in the week but hotels were staring to fill up due to people traveling to help with the hurricane clean up.  So we felt pressured to book something quick.  So while we were in the theater I tried to book a room at the Hilton.  I tried 3 times and the website kept locking up.  Then Doug tried on his phone and was able to get through.  So we have a hotel reservation in Lafayette to go spend some time with Marcus and his family.  It was good to get it done, it was just bad timing.  I felt bad being on my phone when I wanting to be visiting with my friends. 

Other pictures from the week:

I finished our masks, but I'm afraid that I will need to make more. But I found a great place to hang them. :) 

Chris chose noodle soup and garlic toast for his meal this week.  He is so funny at how excited he gets for simple noodle soup.  It makes me smile.  He had thirds. 

Kaylee's Kiwico box came this week.  She got to make a walking robot.  Thanks Grandma Datwyler for that gift, they have been fun for the kids to make. 

I'm toying with the idea of selling some bakery things from home.  I made some muffins on Saturday and took a picture so I could add it to my blog website.  I've pick the name: Out of the Oven Bakery.  I want to keep it pretty low key and low stress.  Just make a few things each week and let people sign up to buy them.  We'll see how it goes. 

Zoom Zoom Zoom - full week of school 8/16 - 8/22/2020

 We have had a heat spell and we didn't make the kids go on a walk on Sunday, just too hot!  

Jenna frequently asks for an easy over egg in the morning and I decided it was time to teach her how to make her own.  So many mornings I see Jenna by the stove cooking her own egg.  She can do it all by herself.  Sometimes her yolk breaks, but she's not too bothered about it and sometimes turns it into scrambled.  It is fun to watch them learn new things and gain their independence. 

School started to feel more like a routine by the end of the week.  Chris had 3 zooms a day, one for each teacher.  He gets bored in the zoom sometimes, but at least it keeps him from bugging his siblings.  The girls take the whole day to get their work done.  They start at 8:30 and usually don't finish until 2:30/3.  They watch recordings of their teachers going over the new concepts and then they do stuff in their notebooks.  They both don't like to write but Jenna really puts up a stink about it.  I was very good and patient with her on Wednesday, but it took some much of my time and energy.  She is so stubborn and just lays on the floor pouting refusing to do her work, complaining that she doesn't know what to do, right after I have explained what to do.  So frustrating!

Monday Kaylee had an orthodontist appointment, she is going to be getting her top braces on in the next visit.  Chris had his percussion try-outs on Monday.  He did ok, but couldn't copy the rhythms very well.  I didn't think he was going to make it, but we found out on Tuesday that he did.  It was an answer to prayer since I think he would have been really upset if he hadn't made it.  I got the email on Tuesday morning while I was out running errands, and it was another tender mercy that I happened to be in the same shopping complex as the music store.  So I was able to go right in and buy most of the things that we needed.  I also got right onto to FB Marketplace to look for a practice Marimba.  New ones at $1600 but there were some used ones listed.  I contacted one and asked the band teacher if the other mallets and things that were listed would work for Chris.  I did not know there were so many different types of mallets.  He said not to buy the sticks and mallets, but if the marimba was in good shape it would be a good deal.  

Tuesday was hard because I felt so busy and rushed running all of my errands.  I was looking for ballets tights, shoes, leotards, and skirts for the girls and I needed to return some running shorts of mine.  I went to 6 stores and I just felt worn out, I guess I'm not used to all of the business.  It was hard wearing a mask that long too, I kept feeling light headed and my anxiety started to kick in as well.  I was glad to get home but my heart felt like it was racing all day.  

Tuesday evening I was in charge of the activity for our primary girls.  I shared a short message about music and encouraged the girls to sing when they had to do a chore or their school work and see if it would help them have a good attitude, then we played Name that tune.  I made a Kahoot playing Name That Tune as well, but I realized that it would be better to let the girls play it on their own at home since they would need two devices.  

Wednesday Tyler had piano and I had a Relief Society Zoom meeting.  We talked about metal health issues and she had some good tips and thoughts to share.  

Thursday the girls had piano and Doug and I were dealing with what to do about our Thanksgiving cruise.  We don't know if they will cancel it or not.  We talked with our friends and none of us really want to go even if they still sail. I'm not worried about getting sick, but just the overall quality of the cruise.  Will there still be shows, will they still have a buffet, etc.  What if someone gets sick will we all have to be under quarantine?  So one of our friends canceled without talking to anyone.  We decided to cancel too and just get our money back.  We figured we could book another cruise later.  Then because we are not doing the cruise this year we are trying to figure out a plan B.  The tricky part is that Haley and Jared's sister was going to go on the cruise, which is fine, but now that we are doing our own thing it feels like our family is the odd one out being the only family that is not part of the Shurtliff family.  I talked this over with Kari on Friday morning on our walk and just let her know how we felt.  It was just really frustrating because this was supposed to be a friends trip and now we feel like we're the odd one out.  Anyway, Kari understood where I was coming from and she and Haley were going to talk to Ariane and she what her thoughts were.  Haley wanted to go to Universal Studios for her plan B and Kari and I want to do a beach house.  

I had the kids start helping me with dinner this week.  They each have a day, they pick the dinner and then help me prepare it.  Tyler chose lasagna this week. 

Friday was another crazy errands day.  I had to go back and return all of the things that I bought on Tuesday that didn't fit.  It was a lot quicker this go around though.  Then I had to make some food.  The Abernethys had invited us over for a BBQ and swim party.  I made a bean dip and veggie tray and I had wanted to try and new cookie recipe that I had found online.  It was pretty good, a peanut butter sugar cookie with chocolate frosting.  In the evening I still had to take Tyler, Jenna and Kaylee to dance class, so we were a little late to the party, but everyone had a great time.  It was so nice to get out and visit with people. 

Saturday we didn't have much planned but I had hoped to go pick up the marimba from the lady who was selling one on FB. She had been out of town during the week and said that Saturday would be good.  I texted her a bunch of times but she never responded.  I looked again on FB Marketplace and saw that someone was selling a marimba for less and they lived in our neighborhood.  I contacted her and went over and bought it.  It is used and the last two notes don't play very well, but it was so nice to be able to find one close by and cross that off my list.  The kids love playing it and I love that is sounds good, unlike kids trying to learn the clarinet or violin. They all play their piano songs on it and it is so fun.  

An update on our vacations, I love going on vacation but sometime planning them can be hard, espeically when it deals with other people.  So Doug spent a long time on the phone getting our cruise back in order to shift it to next year.  We had to call twice so that they would give us the same price that we originally paid.  So we are set to cruise over Thanksgiving in 2021.  Also Haley and Ariane decided to go camping together and Kari and I picked a beach house for this year.  I'm excited to go.  It will hopefully be a pretty relaxing vacation and the house looks very fun and the beach will be great.  The average temperature in South Padre in November is 85 with lows in the 60s, sounds fabulous.  

First week of school 8/9 - 8/15/2020

 Sunday August 9

Doug and I celebrated our 19th anniversary on Sunday.  I made crepes for the kids, since Doug was going to eat his own breakfast anyway. :) 

For part of our Sunday lesson I talked about fortifying our homes/lives like Captain Moroni.  Scripture walls, pencils for prayer, prophets for the towers, and friends and family for our armies. 

Ahh, so I've been a bit busy so I'm playing catch up.  

This week was busy with zoom meet the teacher, picking up Chrome Books from the school for Chris and Tyler and Chris had his try-outs for band - he tried the clarinet and flute.  His first choice is percussion but they have them go to pick a second choice.  Busy Busy! We changed Tyler's piano lesson to Tuesday so we didn't have to have it on the first day of school.  

As our last fun activity we went to the Secret Beach on Monday.  We had a big group of friends join us.  The neighborhood actually put up a no trespassing sign but we had asked someone who lived nearby and they said that it should be fine - they were just trying to dissuade the college kids and those who were being rowdy down at the beach.  But we later found out that a patrol officer had talked to some of the moms who left first that we shouldn't use that access point anymore.  Oh well, guess we'll have to stick with the Pundt Park entrance. 

Wednesday was the first day of online school.  It went ok.  The girls had 2 zoom meetings with their teachers.  Chris had one zoom meeting each day during this half week to get the kids used to it.  Damon just had to fill out some surveys, but Tyler had a full day - a zoom call with each teacher at their assigned time.  It was a long day for him. 

The next two days of school were a bit frustrating.  Everyone was still trying to figure out the technology.  Sometimes we couldn't figure out how to open certain documents or how to edit them.  It is different on an iPad or a Chrome Book so Kaylee and Jenna's looked different sometimes.  I would just bounce from kid to kid helping, and answering questions and making sure they were getting on their zooms on time.  Sometimes the teacher would only send the zoom link to my email, so we figured out how to forward it to their student email account so they could log on by themselves.  It was a little crazy and I usually had a headache by 10, but we survived.  The days felt so long. 

Friday was fun, I got a text from a young women named Lucy Sivula.  She asked if Tyler would be willing to take a Ballroom Dance class with her.  Tyler was cute and shy about it, but he said he would give it a try.  There happened to be a ballet 1 class being taught at the same time, so Jenna and Kaylee went to try it out too.  They of course loved it and couldn't wait to go back the following week.  Tyler did well with the Fox Trot.  He seemed a little stiff but he picked up the steps pretty well.  It was a lot of fun to watch them.  They have a waiting area for the parents with TV monitors to watch all of the classrooms, so I could watch both classes, and the tap 3 class that were going on at the same time.  Very fun. 

Saturday we helped clean the church.  Kaylee had woken up sick, so Damon stayed home with her.  Later Damon went to Inspire Rock with a friend and we went swimming as a family in the evening.  

Last week of summer 8/2 - 8/8/2020

Sunday August 2,

Fast Sundays can be hard, especially for the kids.  They were all pretty grumpy in the morning and I had to put out a few arguments.  It's amazing how it is so much harder to control our emotions when we are not feeling physically well.  I get a bit testy in the afternoon after I've been working on food for about 2 hours and everyone else is playing or napping.  I try to keep my thoughts positive and count my blessings but it's hard, especially on fast Sundays.  :)

Doug needed more potatoes and chicken, so we made lots of baked chicken and broiled potatoes.  Doug was good to finish off baking the chicken.  Chris requested fudge and he helped me make that.  We like the easy marshmallow recipe, you don't even have to cook anything, just melt the chocolate.  I made lion house rolls because that sounded good to me, I ate 3 of them, so yummy.

The evening was cooler than most so we walked around our bigger block (1 mile) and then the kids scootered and drew with sidewalk chalk while we sat outside.  It's so nice to sit outside and not be dying of heat. 

Doug and I had seen a hermit crab in the gutter a few days prior and I noticed that it had died on one of my morning runs.  We brought it back to the house and Doug pulled the crab out so we could keep the shell.  It smelled of fish. 

Monday August 3,

I started the day with a 4 mile run.  I felt pretty good at the beginning, but by the end I was just trying to keep going.  It wasn't as hot as it has been so that helped, but it's still humid.  Chris fights me with centers and it gets old.  I wish he would just accept what he is required to do and not resist it every single time.  Sigh.

Tuesday August 4

We went swimming in the morning, Tuesday mornings are a good time to go since the pool is cleaned on Monday, so it is the cleanest it can be.  I quickly showered and at lunch then ran some errands.  I stopped at the music store, Ross to return some shoes and then to the library.  I also got the tires rotated and balanced.  

I'm working on sewing some masks.  I found some scrap material and washed it.  Then I printed off a pattern from the Church's website.  Now to start cutting and sewing.  

I had book club in the evening, we talked about The Silent Patient.  It was a psycho thriller book.  I liked it ok.  The story was intriguing but the language was bad and it made me feel anxious a bit at times.  

Damon came home today, all during the evening we were texting as he was waiting in the airport.  He went in with Stefan and then had to wait for his flight by himself.  His original flight was supposed to be before Stefan's but they switched it.  So he waited for 3 hours.  Including having his flight delayed and his gate switched.  He didn't like that so much, but eventually he landed here at 11:05 PM.  Doug went and picked him up.  It was good to have him home. 

Wednesday August 5

We slept in a bit since we had been up late with Damon.  Tyler had piano and I worked on sewing masks in the afternoon.  I gathered up what scraps I had saved.  It was fun to see the material from car seat covers and stroller seat cushions.  

We went swimming as a family in the evening.  It was a nice night and the water actually felt warmer than the air.  We played a game of keep away with Doug and I on one team and the boys on the other. Tyler had a fun time trying to get the ball from me, he was quite competitive.  

My legs were so sore from my workout on Tuesday.  I had done one of Laisa's workouts that I hadn't done in a long time.  My quads hurt when I move.  I was hoping that walking and running would help loosen them up.  Doug and I went on our mile walk and then I ran for about 10 minutes on the treadmill.  I felt energized after and helped Doug set up a Sign Up Genius for the ward to sign up to go to church.  

Doug is so busy right now and stressed.  I try to help out when I can, but he doesn't accept much help.  We need more time in the day to get everything done.  

Thursday August 6

Well, it's been two years since my dad died.  Crazy.  Honestly most days I'm so busy that I'm not allowed to miss him.  But I think of him when I run in the morning and every time I see a bird I think of him.  He was the best dad and one of the most kind, selfless, hard-working people I know.  I miss his strong hugs and smiles.  So glad that I will get to see him again.  

The girls had piano today, I almost forgot about it.  I was at Walmart 30 min before their lesson when I remembered.  I hurried home and got them over there in time barely.  They are doing pretty well.  We struggle with practicing sometimes, especially Jenna.  She can be a bit stubborn at times.  :) 

Tyler and the girls had zoom meetings for church activities in the evening.  The girls play guess what's in the box. 

Friday August 7

Doug and I got together with Jared and Kari Shurtliff for a dinner date.  We got Torchy's Tacos to go and then took it to their house.  We played games afterwards.  It was nice to get out and play with just the four of us.  

Saturday August 8 

Today I worked on reorganizing a bit.  Because of Doug's big exercise gym in the office we had to move a bookshelf into Damon's room temporarily.  So we decided to move it to the play room in the corner.  However at first I thought we were just going to get rid of it, so I was trying to relocate the items on the shelves which meant readjusting things in the kitchen and sewing area.  It turned out to be a bigger project than I had intended for the day, but oh well.  

 

Some random pictures: The kids always line up their Lucky Charms when they eat them.  

We enjoyed this large box for quite awhile, but it was finally time to be done with it.  Lots of house play and the girls slept in it a couple of times. 

Damon Gone 7/26 - 8/1/2020

Sunday July 26

Mom joined us for our own sacrament meeting.  Kaylee read a story from the friend and Doug prepared a message.  We watched the baptism videos on the girls that I had made and later in the day we watched Chris's and Damon's as well.  I couldn't find Tyler's video, but I did find his pictures, so I could make it again.  Maybe I'll do that today :)

Jenna made her Kiwico box in the afternoon.  It was a fun arcade catapult game. 

Chris and the girls had a primary zoom lesson.

We played Bang in the evening. 

We walked around the lake in the evening.  It was relatively cooler than it has been so that was nice.  The girls complain about walking and Damon and Tyler frequently give them piggie back rides.  It started to sprinkle as we left.

Monday July 27,

Mom and I went for a walk in the morning, just 3 miles this time.  I helped Damon finish packing, then we drove to the airport around 10.  Damon was pretty nervous to go, more nervous for the flight back on his own, but I think he'll be fine.  Mom said she would point things out as they went through the airport so that Damon would know where to go when we lands on his return flight.

They had to wait at the airport most of the day, before their flight and then after, waiting for Stefan's flight to land.  Then they headed to Smithfield.  Mom has a full itinerary for them all week.  I hope it doesn't burn her out.

I stopped at the store on the way home from the airport and then got back to normal life.  Laundry, cleaning, and basically doing nothing.  I kind of got into a slump after the busyness of getting ready for the baptism and having my mom here.  I guess I need to pick my next project and work on that so it gives me something productive to do.

Tuesday July 28,

We went swimming with the Shurtliffs in the morning and then they came over to play in the afternoon.  They play so well together.  It's so nice to not have to worry about the kids, they are busy and happy and having fun.  We brought the big treadmill box back inside and they have been having fun making it into a house or fort or hotel.

Chris and Tyler love to play Words with Friends.  Tyler can play on his iPod and Chris likes to play on my phone when I let him.  Chris doesn't have his own device so we made a paper version of the game.  I played a game with him and then he played one with Tyler.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful.  Piano, a few errands.  I put up a shoe holder on the girls' closet door and cleaned up in there.  I finished reading Shift (book 2 of the Silo series).  I felt guilty finishing it since I read for a couple of hours, but the kids were playing nicely.

Doug and I found a hermit crab on one of our evening walks in the gutter.

Saturday August 1,

We did our normal cleaning and then after lunch we went to the zoo.  It had been awhile since we had gone.  We had to wear our masks and they had marked a path for a one way path through the zoo.  But that made it easier to see most everything.  They didn't have any shows and the splash pad was closed, along with the playground.  It had rained in the morning and even when we arrived so we brought our umbrellas.  But it dried out quickly and it started to get warm.  Animal highlights were the big python moving in the reptile house, the rhino being pretty active, and the sea lions barking.  The girls ran into one of their old friends from school, so that was fun for them as well. They had a fun dragon exhibit that the kids also really enjoyed. 

The kids watched a movie in the evening and Doug and I have been climbing Mt. Fuji on our treadmill. It has been broken up in to 7, 25 minute workouts.  It is very steep but it's a good workout.