Atlanta Fun

We have had lots of fun times this week by taking advantage of a stack of coupons we got in the mail a couple of months ago as a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" gift. We forgot about them in the last few weeks and realized they are going to expire next month so we tried to do a few things this week while Spencer is on an easier rotation at work. We got a booklet of coupons for restaurants that included buy one entree get one free or $10-$15 gift certificates. One evening this week Spencer met us at a hole-in-the-wall barbecue joint that we'd never been to but is close to our house. It was delish and we only spent $9 on 3 meals! Spencer had Wednesday afternoon off so we headed to the zoo with our 1 free adult pass. Even though it was pretty hot, we enjoyed exploring the zoo again since we hadn't been there as a family since Ella Ann's birthday last year. There wasn't anyone there so we got to walk around and see every single animal on display. Ella Ann loved it, to say the least! Spencer also had Friday morning off so we ventured out in the pouring down rain and went to Fernbank Science Museum. We have been wanting to go to Fernbank but it's pretty pricey, even though Ella Ann is free at the moment, so we were happy to get in on one adult admission. Even though it was a quiet museum with a ton of artifacts to read about, Ella Ann had a really good time and did not want to go home. They do have a little children's area for play and exploration that she really enjoyed. Spencer and I would've liked to have ditched Ella Ann and actually taken time to read about everything because it was all so interesting but we did what we could with an energetic 3 year old in tow! We have definitely had a fun-filled busy week and we are going to try and squeeze some more activities in, like the Children's Museum and more restaurants (my favorite), before the coupons expire.

Along with hosting a playgroup on Tuesday morning my friend, Sarah, and her two little girls, Audrey and Kaitlyn, came over to visit on Thursday morning. Audrey and Ella Ann are close in age and had so much fun singing on the keyboard's microphone and running around the house doing make believe things. Kaitlyn also managed to hang with the older girls a few times and I know Ella Ann loved having her in her bedroom to play with!

Here are some pictures from our week...

Ella Ann and Audrey singing away!

Too cool for the zoo!

Getting a lift from Daddy to check out the elephants.

We also let Ella Ann play on the zoo's playground since we were in no hurry and could just sit and watch her play.

Well, we didn't just watch her play, we played too! This teeter totter was so fun! My have things changed since we were kids!

Even Spencer joined us! That was very funny to see him all crumpled up on the seat! Ella Ann has been a tad bit obsessed with her Daddy over the past few weeks and only wants him to do things for her, including sitting by her on the teeter totter! I don't mind, in fact, I enjoy seeing them together and her requesting him to do everything! I get a break!

A not-so-good picture at Fernbank. We are standing in front of a HUGE dinosaur in the main rotunda.

Same goes for this picture but I'm posting it anyway because we didn't take many.

The dinosaur foot was bigger than her whole body!

Playing with a giant map and seeing how far we are from Antarctica (we were in the polar bear and penguin exhibit).

A real polar bear...stuffed, that is! I didn't realize how big they are!

I think this was her favorite part....the gift shop at the end! She was beyond excited by all the stuffed animals! Hog heaven for my child!