Summer List--Day at the Arboretum Part One

At the beginning of the summer I had everyone make a summer list of things they would like to do.  One of Kate's was to go to the Arboretum--one of our favorite places here in The Big D.  It turned out that today was "Family Fun Monday," complete with face painting and a petting zoo.  It was incredibly hot--but it still was one of the best days we've had this summer. 

I was surprised when Kate chose a panda.  You can't really see it here, but there was a beautiful pearl shimmer to it and I thought it turned out really cool.

I love this picture!  (Except for the guy in the back).  It was by sheer luck that I caught this look as she was moving around and not always looking at me.  If you can't tell, she is a "blue kitty".

After Kelly's last face painting experience she went with the more grown up "pretty eyes."  I loved how it turned out.  Kevin decided not to get his face painted this time.  I guess none of the options tickled his fancy.  It was so funny to see how the face make-up changed their behavior a little--well not Kenzie's.  However, Kate felt the need to try and talk with a British accent and discuss eating bamboo.  It's hard to describe how Kelly behaved, but you'll see it in some of the following pictures.

Every spring/summer the Arboretum has a themed display carried on throughout the gardens.  This year had to do with fairy tale castles.  The first one that we visited was Ariel's--The Little Mermaid. Here are my attempts at getting a group shot on the throne.  Smile kids!

OK. Look at me!  Smile!

Smi.....Never mind.

See what I mean about Kelly's makeup and behavior?  How would you describe it?

Not to be outdone by Kelly's solo picture in the throne--Kate had to have a turn too.

This was Aladdin's castle.  I thought how cool it would be to have a big yard with something like this as a frame for a fort/tree house.  It's hard to tell, but it kind of spiralled into itself.  I don't know.  It seemed cool to me at the time.

Oops!  I realized that I never got a picture of the outside of Ariel's castle.

This is for Beauty and the Beast. 

Mom:  "Kelly!  Smile!"

Kelly:  "I am smiling!"

This is from an African Fairy tale and try as hard as I might, I can't remember the name.  It's about a king with two beautiful daughters, one mean and one nice.  That's all the explanation that the kids gave me in between bickering over who would sit in the throne next and Kevin begging me to let him take home the bamboo stick in his hand.  (Not a chance).  I put this picture in because Kevin is the only one who would consistently give me a happy smile!

I love this girl!  She is quirky and fun and growing up into a beautiful young woman!