What Was That Gold Shiny Thing In The Sky?
We started hearing the rumors early last week that this past weekend was supposed to be…sunny. It was all anyone at work could talk about. “What are you going to do?” It was like we were all going to win the lottery and wanted to know how each person planned on spending their prize money.
I crammed as many Sun Only activities into our weekend as I could, I’m proud to say. I did my 4 miles long run Saturday morning, which ended up being about 5 miles. Sarah and I were reminded that no rain in the Spring in Alabama still means Hot As Hell – even at 7am. We ended up walking a chunk of the later half of the jaunt. We still ended up with awesome time which is great considering we spent some time discussing the signs of heat stroke.
NikkiZ and I repeated last year’s Butterfly day at the Botanical gardens. Since it was so hot we spent a lot of time in the shade. I also permitted a costume change as NikkiZ wanted to bring her Tinkerbell costume too. We ended the trip at The Gardens with some time in the water features which I prepared for by letting her wear her bathing suit under her costumes. Of course, I didn’t bring a towel or a change of clothes…but I brought the bathing suit! Go Me!
Yesterday we woke up early and drove MrZ to a kayak drop-in point along the Flint River. After using my Dad’s canoe he decided he wanted a kayak so he could more easily go out on the water alone. He went about 11 miles and said it was perfect. He saw loads of wildlife and that the trip went pretty smoothly. I was a little nervous and insisted he give me a Freakout Time so that if he wasn’t back I could call in the FBI, or something. He ended up home long before that. Thank god. The FBI would probably have been annoyed with me.
While MrZ was Kayaking, the kids and I washed my car, replanted a Peace Lily I seem determined to kill (any tips on bringing those things back from the dead?) and we went out and played in some fountains. It was AndyZ’s first time in the fountains and he loved it. LOVED IT. I would have gotten some pictures but I was soaking wet myself, surely to the discomfort of the other parents at the fountains. When one child asked his Mom to get in with him she said, “I’m not wearing a bathing suit!” to which he aptly replied, “Neither is that Mom!” Pointing his finger at me sitting in the fountain in my blue jeans. Yeah, kid. This is not how I planned for it to go. I had every intention of staying dry. My son, on the other hand, had other plans.
Oh, yeah. I also got a new camera lens this weekend. Can you tell? It’s not the kind of lens I’ll keep on my camera all the time, but for low light and portraits…it’s fantastic. I had a lot of fun with it this weekend. My family, on the other hand, would like me to QUIT TAKING DAMN PICTURES ALREADY. Whatever. If you’re going to make me carry your ass to the river at 7am? I’m taking your picture. AND YOU’RE GOING TO LIKE IT.
The early rumor for the week is that next weekend may be beautiful too. I’m scared to get my hopes up. Two weekends in a row? COULD WE BE SO LUCKY? I’ll say this for sure: Next weekend I’ll leave my delusion of dryness at home when we head to the fountains. And maybe I’ll bring towels.
Oh, did you get a 50mm lens? The pictures look great! I borrowed one and really want to buy my own, but I had a hosting bill to pay, so it will wait.
Looks like you had lots of fun!
Wow! Gorgeous pics, gorgeous kids… how did I not find this blog sooner?
Your weekend sounds lovely. I spent the weekend cleaning and shopping for the girls’ summer wardrobe. Next time I’m oming kayaking with you guys
Aw, you guys are so cute and outdoorsy! Great pictures!
Please let me know what lense you got!
Okay, dish! Which lens did you get? I love the butterfly photos.
what a perfect weekend!! It was like that here as well. Just wonderful. Those shots are amazing!!
That first picture there is just gorgeous! Sounds like you had a great weekend.
It’s a 50 mm, isn’t it?
. Looks like you guys had a blast this weekend – yay!
i’m a staunch supporter of freak out times…
What fabulous photos!!!! we have that rainy spring thing in NC as well…but our weekend was relatively beautiful with low humidity!!!!!!!
I know nothing about cameras, but the shots look GREAT.
You totally got me with the “freak-out time” thing, because OMG I AM SO LIKE THAT. I don’t necessarily need to know when my husband expects to be home from any given outing, but I DO want to know when I should start worrying, because otherwise I always start way early, and then I’m pissed when he finally gets home with no evidence of foul play or broken bones, and. . . I bet you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about. At least, I hope you do, otherwise I sound like a major crazy person now.
Glad you had a great weekend!
Looks like you all had a great weekend! Love the pictures!
I just jumped in to ask “what kind of lens?” but I see everyone else got there first. I’d like to get one for my husband — he likes doing portraits of our kids.
Love that she brought a costume change — she’s a good model, eh? Who needs a towel when it’s hot? Heehee. I am not a kayaker or likely to be, but it sounds peaceful and awesome.
Looks like Zoot got herself a nifty fifty!
I love mine… and you’re right, it’s PERFECT for portraits. Although I am fond of my 55-250 for that as well because I can sit back and catch the moments when they’re not watching me… but you can’t beat the DOF on the 50.
Totally awesome pictures! You were definitely rocking the new lens, and it looks like you all had a lot of fun! Yay!
We had gorgeous sunshine here too!
We went to Drayton Manor Theme Park on Saturday (I unfortunately may have bruised my ribs a little which sucks majorly cos I was about to go all health kick this week!!) but I can still breathe and they don’t hurt too much so I could still start lol!
Walked to and from church yesterday so that was nice to enjoy some more sun – unfortunately I was in work today but when I got to my Mum’s house my Dad was out in the garden so we sat out there and chatted for a few minutes
We went out for tea and sat outside on the terrace
might be the only opportunity we get all summer though lol.
Those pictures are great. I like the one of her in the hat. It’s adorable.
Hey Zoot, We keep towels and a change of clothes for everyone in the car all summer long – Never know when you may have to dump someone in the pool
Kim
We had a beautiful, sun-filled weekend here last weekend, too. Am hoping for more of the same this weekend. I like Kim’s idea to keep a change of clothes and towels for everyone in the car. hmmm…maybe sweatshirts, too, I think.
Your pictures are great. Love them!