How did she get so big?

The title of this post applies easily to both girls. I took them to the zoo this past Thursday. Going to the zoo on (or close to) to St Patrick's Day has become a tradition. This was our third year in a row going. Madeline and Kaitlyn were both very excited to go. While there, Kaitlyn was in the green stroller and Madeline was walking. Madeline wanted to run, so I let her run ahead to specific spots along the way. As I was watching her, I couldn't help but remember being there with her in fall of 2007 and letting her run on her own for the first time. Before then I always had her in the stroller or holding my hand. There I was 3 1/2 years later with my five year old and almost two year old, trying to figure out how my little toddler Madeline was now a school age 'big' kid. And, on top of that, how it was that I had another little one that is already a toddler (and about the same age as Madeline was on that day back in fall of 2007). Happy and sad tears spring up with all of these thoughts and memories.

My girls had a wonderful time. This is the second time we've been there now where you can tell that Kaitlyn gets it. She knows she's seeing these amazing animals up close. When Madeline asked her what her favorite was, she said "Moo" which obviously means cow. She also seemed to very much enjoy the 'birries' or birdies, the fish, and the 'ah, ah, ahs' otherwise known as monkeys. Madeline was just happy to be at the zoo. That girl loves that place. The end of our trip was a ride on the merry go round. This was KJ's first time on the merry go round. She was a bit nervous at first, but quickly warmed up to the fun of it. I think having her awesome big sister next to her helped quite a bit.