Big 4-0

So on Thursday last week I hit the big "4-0". I had an awesome day - thanks to Tim and the kids, family and friends.

I took the day off work, so you know it's off to a good start! That and I received two super new paintings to hang up at work.

Finnegan's is a water dragon.

Keira painted the Firebird's crown.

I went to the morning class at Hot Yoga on 20th and had an excellent class (especially since I haven't actually practiced in about 3 weeks!). It was the first time in over a year that I was actually able to sit down in fixed firm pose (albeit still pretty uncomfortable). I'll have to thank Dallas for the sore abs and I do wonder if others sometimes feel the effects the next morning from the classes that I teach? When I had been regularly practicing, I was always feeling great the next day but for about two days after my birthday I sure felt the areas that have not been worked lately!

After lunch, the four of us headed to the Saskatoon Zoo. It's a pretty small place by zoo standards but I like the fact that most of the animals that are housed there are either orphans or are wildlife that have been injured. There are some non-native animals (like the lions!) but for the most part many of the animals are fairly regional.

All along the paths set up for Earth Day were questions about the environment and saving energy. Finnegan read them to us as we visited the animals.

The kids had a good laugh from this swan that was bobbing for something tasty at the bottom of the pond.

Lots of new babies out at this time of year.

We had dinner at Alexander's and then headed home for cupcakes to share with Tim's parents who were supposed to be coming over at 6:30 pm to join us. Originally the plan had been for Tim and I to go out to a movie but with his folks in the process of moving that idea had been cancelled as they were pretty busy (and tired) with the move.

When we arrived home, Keira announced that she "Really had to go pee" so that I would quickly take her into the house. I had a moment's panic as our door was not locked and the alarm didn't seem to be on. Moments later I realized that our house was full of friend's waiting for our arrival with a big surprise party!

Truly a great surprise and I'm so glad that many people stopped by with their birthday wishes and to share the cupcakes and ice cream. We had the best birthday cupcakes you could imagine!

And a pretty nice Bicycle Smile birthday t-shirt too! So far not much different being 40. A few more gray hairs perhaps but nothing that I quick (well 3 hour) trip to Sunday Morning Spa and Salon couldn't fix. Yes - that is purple you see and my daughter didn't paint it on with cool-aid!

Lincoln Park Zoo

While sight seeing in Chicago last month, my mom and I spent the better part of a day at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

It's a great place and even better that admission is free (I'm still not quite sure how they manage to function without I guess major sponsors or subsidies from the City?)

Here are are a number of photos from the trip to the zoo.


This guy was really interested in the birds in the trees.

The otter was soooo fast! I took probably over 30+ photos and this was probably the best of the bunch though still pretty blurry.

A lot of great sculptures throughout the park.

The Children's area had this fantastic climbing structure indoors. I'm sure Finnegan and Keira would have had a blast on it.

This silver back ape weighs in at over 400 lbs.

Finnegan's favourite animal (at the moment) is the rhino.

Flowers - lots of beautiful flowers in the conservatory.

I promise I did take some more pictures of animals. I love photographing flowers because unlike the animals they don't move (except on really windy days) so they are so much easier to capture.

Can you tell that I liked these particular water lilies?

OK back to the animals now!

The tail end of the polar bear was all we were able to see.

I think these were African Wild Dogs - what amazing coat colouring the have!

All in all a great day at the Lincoln Park Zoo!