Coolidge Park

After our morning at Chickamauga, we let McKenleigh take a nap and headed to Coolidge park. Jason took McKenleigh on the Carousel (her first time on a carousel) and they had a good time. She was a little scared at first, but by the end it was a wonderful time.





Near the carousel is a big sprinkler park, so we put her swimsuit on and let her go. Jason stayed beside her, but she was ready to go. I did not bother her to have all the big kids running around, she felt just as big as them. What a precious memory and a great Memorial weekend.

Memorial Day 2009- Chicamauga National Military Park

Every year for Memorial Day we travel to a different battlefield or historic area, and this year we decided to go to Chicamauga.
There was a great driving tour and we saw an impressive time line set up at the visitors center. It was a day of remembering and good family time. Jason always enjoys an opportunity to give am a history lesson. =)

Tennessee Aquarium

After church today we headed down to Chattanooga to the Aquarium. We had never been, and McKenleigh LOVES fish, so we packed up and went. They have two Aquariums, one is salt water and one is fresh water. McKenleigh had a blast. She kept saying "ish, ish, ish" all day. She would get really excited and even squeal some times.

At the very beginning there is a "water encounter" with sting rays and sharks. People could put their hands in and touch them. McKenleigh was very intrigued, but was not about to put her hand in there.

Taking it all in, but not sure she wants to be this close to them.


Next we entered the butterfly house, with hundreds of butterflies flying around you. Here she is trying to take it all in. (She hasn't noticed the one on Daddy's shoulder.

Ohh...What is that?

Then on we went to see more.

In front of the penguins and very happy! When we started to walk away, she started to cry. It was so sad, we went right back to watch them some more.


It was very dark, so our pictures are not great, but she had a blast!!

After watching all the fish, we came outside where they have this little water way set up for kids to play in. The water was a little cold, but she was one happy girl.


We started sitting on the side.

I tucked her dress in her bloomers, hopping to keep her dress a little dry.

Why did I even try?
She ended up sitting in the water soaked from head to toe, but it was so much fun.



After a quick outfit change, we headed in to the fresh water aquarium.
(if you haven't been, you should go. It was great.)


Then for some ice cream before we called it a day.

We love Daddy!

Today McKenleigh started asking for DaDa and he was on his way, so I opened the door so she could look for him. Here is what she did. So Sweet! I just love it.

Slide

Today was a big day for learning new things and being brave. At the zoo she tried "jumping" and then this afternoon, she decided to slide down the slide sitting up instead of on her tummy. She had such a good time. Once she learned how to do it, she spent the longest time carrying her ball you the stairs and rolling it down. I tried to video it, but of course she decided after doing it 30 times, she wasn't going to do it again. Well here is a little of the sliding.

The Zoo!

Today we met our friends Grace and Selah at the Zoo! It was our first trip this year and we had a great time. We had happy little girls and we were able to talk a little while they played. Selah is few months older than McKenleigh and Selah calls McKenleigh a "baby", but they play together really well. At one point, McKenleigh was not very happy, and Selah shared her baby doll with her. Here they are looking at the fish.

Our sweet girls giving hugs

The goat is wondering what to do... run or play dead.



McKenleigh saw the "big" kids combing the goats, so she had to do the same.

After a good time looking at the animals, we went to the play ground to play and let the mommies rest. They have a great area for the little ones, we look forward to going back soon.
Here is our new trick.
Getting brave...

JUMP!!!

Bubbles

McKenleigh loves bubbles and has learned to dip the wand into the bubbles. Jason had been blowing bubbles with her and she wanted her turn.

Monkey's Tree House

It has been raining for days, so we decided to meet Grace and Selah at The Monkey's Tree House today for a play date. McKenleigh had so much fun. It was our first time there, but we will be back. It is an indoor playground and great for rainy days or hot and sticky days.
The "sand"box was a big hit. Small pieces of rubber, I like it much better than sand, easier to clean up.
Our two sweet red heads





Hard at work



Figuring out the doll house

So do I sit in the house to play??


Climbing in to see the fish. (Selah was not a big fan)

They have Trains TOO!!

And a big tree house

Selah and McKenleigh in the ball pit




We had a great play date and look forward to seeing our friends again soon.