A Taste of Home

My mom was able to fly out to visit us the first week of May. We had the best time with her here. My kids absolutely adore their grandma and I have to admit, it was amazing to have a second set of hands around for an entire week. I was really spoiled by the time she left, as were all three kids. We had a great time while she was here. We were able to go to the North Carolina Zoo, which is one of the best zoos I have seen in a long time. A far cry from the Las Vegas Zoo (and all you Las Vegans really know what I'm talking about!!) We visited the downtown museums, attended the Beagle National Dog Show, did some shopping, and went to Hill Ridge Farm.

NC Zoo is absolutely huge. I think in all, we walked close to 5 miles that day to see all the exhibits. They have the park divided into two areas--North/South America and Africa. It made it interesting to see the animals that would normally live together in the wild also together in the exhibits. They had almost all the animals I love to see when at the zoo--elephants, giraffes, lions, chimpanzees, monkeys, cougars, bears, seals, sea lions...and so many more. The habitats were open and as natural as can be in a zoo. The animals looked happy and well cared for. Plus, the zoo also had plenty of play areas for the kids to run around and have a great time. It's definitely a place to be revisited.

The reason my mom came the week she did is that there was the Beagle National Dog Show in Raleigh that week. My mom has a female show beagle. She did not bring her but she is getting ready to breed her so she was checking out the males for a suitable husband!! My kids adore dogs so they had a good time seeing all the beautiful beagles. They are truly sweet and entertaining. I wish my daughter wasn't so allergic but on the other hand, it makes a great excuse to not have one ourselves. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs but I have enough on my plate with three kids to take care of.

Hill Ridge Farms is a farm open to the public with play areas for the kids. They have mini mazes for your little ones, plus they have a huge slide that was really fun. They also have a house filled with cracked corn to play in. There is an animal area with goats, sheep, a turkey, chickens and roosters. They had 1 week old twin goats while we visited. There is a walkway over the water, where you can feed the catfish. They are pretty ugly creatures but interesting to watch. Thay also have a train and hayrides. In the fall, they have a pumpkin patch so we may have to check that out. By the time we left the farm, Trevor and Jocelyn were exhausted. It was a great morning.

We had a great time visiting with my mom and I really hope that she will come back to visit us soon. It makes me sad that we are so far apart but grateful that Shayne's parents are so close. Now if I can only convince my mom to move out here after she retires!!!