Durham Museum & Old Market

The train cars were always a favorite so I had the girls take similar pictures to compare how much they've grown.

Maggie found a light table and enjoyed tracing pictures.

After 2 hours at Durham Museum, we went to Spaghetti Works for lunch.  Then we walked around the Old Market.  The girls were funny in the Old Market. Philomena saw a brochure for the Old Market so each girl grabbed one. They insisted on reading the map to decide where to go. I tried to tell them you don’t need a map to walk up & down the streets. Look in a window and go in if it looks interesting. The Old Market isn’t that big .  These last 2 pictures are me and Philomena next to a statue of Virgo and Maggie next to a statue of Scorpio.

The hotel wasn't the best but our two days in Omaha were fun!

 

Henry Doorly Zoo

And we're off for our overnight stay in Omaha!

Starting our day at Henry Doorly Zoo.  The temps had been over 90 for the last week but the weather was in the low 80s for us which made a great day.  The humidity was 70% and we were eating out so of course my lymphedema isn't so great after this!

We were able to see both baby elephants but the second one is behind the others in this picture.

Maggie took a sensory break for herself.  I am so proud of how the girls have learned to self-regulate and articulate what they need.  I'd planned on the zoo taking us 2 days to get through but we were able to do it all in one day.

The lions were on top of the rock looking majestic like in the Lion King.  I tried to get a picture when the one on the right was standing but of course he walked back on the rock and was gone by the time I took it. 

Train ride is a favorite of ours.

We were able to watch the seal and sea lion show.  They came up close and were so cool to watch.

The gorilla and orangutang houses are really neat but all the animals are behind glass so not great picture taking. 

On the bridge in the Lied Jungle but selfies mean you can't see what we're standing on.

Took me a bit to remember what this picture was because it looks like we're outside.  This is actually under the waterfall in the Lied Jungle.

 

Independence Day

I had the girls on July 3rd and we went to Mike's house to hang out with friends from church.  He spent way too much on fireworks and the girls had fun lighting them off.  At one point, Mike suggested that I move my car further away.  Maggie didn’t realize what I was doing and lit a firework as I was walking down the driveway. I thought I said “ah shit” under my breath but Maggie heard me & then loudly announced to everyone else that I cussed and when she thought they didn’t believe her she said “no, I heard her say shit!” Which made them laugh even harder & Andrew yelled that he probably would have said the same thing if he was that close!  love when my kids rat me out 

The girls spent the day with their dad on July 4th, but as a family they weren't doing much for fireworks.  The girls drove over to my house and I drove us to Waverly to watch their show.  We got there at 8 pm and probably didn't need to get there until 9 pm.  The show started at 10 pm.  We sat in our lawn chairs right next to the car and had a great view.  When we got home, Philomena drove them back to their dad's to finish his weekend.  Great news was that I didn't have to buy any fireworks this year!