Aquarium, Ride the Ducks and Riding the Bus to the Museum Center

Monday we went to Newport on the Levee with the intention of "Riding the Ducks"  (amphibious boat tour).  We heard from Nancy P (nursery teacher @ church) that now thru Oct they are offering reduced rates for tours at 10 am. I thought since many schools have started these would not be sold out but the 10am one Monday was so we bought tix's for Tuesday and went to the aquarium.  We are aquarium members and it is in same location.

In the rain forest we saw this porcupine.  This is an animal we can sign!

We still have not made it to a penguin encounter but we surely will this fall or winter.

It was a gorgeous day outside so we walked around the levee and on the Purple People Bridge.

Tuesday we took the "Ride the Ducks" tour.  I did not get any pictures as A sat on my lap for this 45 minute tour.  It was quite interesting and well worth the $10. 

  The boat enters the river at about 10 miles per hour.  Only the people in the back get wet.  These boats were built in 1943 towards the end of WWII.  The owner of this tourist company sent 5 of these boats to NOLA after Katrina and they were able to help with many rescues.

Wednesday we took the bus to the Children's Museum at Union Terminal.  I think the 30 min bus ride was as entertaining at the museum.

She looks pretty serious but this is typical look for a new experience.  She lightened up on the ride home.

In the Water Works area what Audrey called "bubble".

Learning about semi-circles a shape one of her books describes.

She identified this flag without prompting.

Our bus for the ride home.

Zoo train, Halloween outfit, Findlay Market trip, Sunday school and China Daily

This past Thursday we went to the Zoo.  Because she was enjoying a leisurely breakfast we got a late start getting out the door that morning.

So we just spent about an hour at the Zoo.  First thing we did was head for the train. 

The only part that makes me uneasy is the first corner above the Zebra and flamingo exhibits (the drop off is huge) but A has never shown any anxiety... mostly just this intense observation.

Thursday afternoon she and I  bought her Halloween outfit.   I gave her a choice of 2 outfits. In the above photo she is holding her costume's headband.  Our neighborhood has such a fun community party for this event.  We are fortunate to have really motivated/ organized parents and neighbors we love.

This week we received this copy of China Daily, the edition from the day Audrey was born.  We also received some priceless information and photos from her first 10 months of life.  

Things reported in this newspaper from that day:  The headline below that picture of the Panda is 

Sichuan's new superstars  Airport crowds cheer arrival of US-born pandas.

     Also on the cover:  Yao fans go wild over baby talk (article about Yao Ming and his wife Ye Li impending birth of a baby girl)

Bottom fold front page article headline: Couple decide to let disabled child die in hospice

Articles inside the newspaper include:  From Beijing  One-child policy to stay (small column in Across China section reporting this policy would remain unaltered during the 12th Five year Plan (2011-15).

Another article:  No Easy way out for US  (America simply cannot have it both ways by expecting China to continue to provide more funds while incurring capital loss by revaluing its currency).

Another article:  US missionaries charged with Kidnapping (Haiti judge to investigate case).

Saturday all 3 of us went to the market for the 2nd time.  We took a bag of clothes Audrey has outgrown to give to Julie who's daughter just gave birth to her 10th child whose name is Lauren.

A picture with what Audrey calls a  "ga ga". 

Miss A before church this morning.

Her 2nd time in the church nursery and more successful than the first as today there were no tears.  She also wore her hat the entire time.  This picture includes our nursery teacher, Nancy and Lucy the granddaughter of a friend from church.

Sunday afternoon recital in Blind Lemon's garden, Dog Days at the Pool, and "House, All gone, Cool"

In this picture Audrey is signing "peas" to Paula.  After church and Audrey's nap Paula, A and I walked up to the Blind Lemon for a guitar recital.  It was Nick Tuttle (has a studio on our street) student's recital and it was fun.  Miss A lasted enjoyed it for an hour and then got restless so we left.

This garden is so cute.  It reminds me of Europe ...

Student and teacher playing together.

This house was torn down on Fort View Street this week.  Audrey somewhat strung together  "house .... all gone .... cool"  Not exactly together as in a sentence but still the concept.  Her first 2 words spoken together (other than ones that don't count like Bye-bye) were "blue shirt".

She was not the least bit scared of the noisy equipment.  It only took an afternoon to tear this down.

This past Monday was "Dog Days" at our pool.  It closed to humans the day before.

In general the goldens were the best swimmers.

Miss Audrey's expression pretty much the whole time we were there which was about 45 minutes.  This is typical when she is observing something new.

"Boo" the rescue dog who lives on our street and is so great with kids.  Audrey has practically stuck a finger in Boo's eye and he did not flinch.

One of the life guards with her dog or as A calls  them "pup".

Dogs with handles.

This little white dog did not seem thrilled with swimming.

This guy was learning to swim and seemed a little scared too.

This guy was probably the rock star of swimmers at this event.

I like this picture because of the way the dog is facing the people with one paw resting on the side of the pool.

Afterwards we walked to UDF for ice cream.

Hats, Zoo, Signing and Tumbling class

Watching Sound of Music for the 1st time.

Beekeeper peekaboo at Miss Kelly's story time.

Even though this hat doesn't fit her anymore she likes to wear it.

At Target this week she wore the khaki shorts I was buying for her.  Oh khaki's are her favorite too, but I think it is just because she likes saying that word.

I wheeled her all over that store and did not get one comment. 

But I did buy her a new $7 florescent pink hat that fits.

We went to the Zoo this past Thursday.  This past week we received the Zoo Signing time DVD and can sign many of the animals including this one.

Taking pictures while she is in the carrier in front of me is always hit and miss.

Petting the goats in the Children's Zoo.

As luck would have it we were just in time to see a show at Blakeley's Barn while we were visiting the Children's Zoo.  This is Rigel an 8 year old mountain goat.

I was going to leave if she lost interest but she contentedly watch the entire show.  Well, it wasn't that long.

Thursday afternoon after her nap Audrey, John and I walked to Twin Lakes to feed the ducks.  Here she is signing "please" and saying  "peas".

And asking for my camera.  My big mistake in ever giving it to her.  I just couldn't turn down as she was so polite.  But now I can't get a decent picture of her without her hand outstretched like this asking for my camera.

Working with her "ledders" on the refrigerator.

I would say she is accurate about 75% of the time in identifying the correct letter.

Friday morning we took a walk around the neighborhood and probably spent an hour at the dry cleaners talking to Megan and playing with her daughter Lily's toys and bike.  Lily, who is 4, was at school.

Megan always has some helpful parenting ideas  (IE waffles for teething, good library classes, etc).  This day though she also told me a horrific Chucky Cheese story that I don't think I will forget any time soon.  Well maybe I'll write it for my private blog just so I remember this cautionary story.  This week we received some interesting information regarding Audrey's time in Yifeng which we expect to learn more about and I'm starting a private journal with this information for her.

Friday afternoon John, Audrey and I walked went to our neighborhood pool for what might be our last time as the pool closes Sunday.   I forgot my camera but she had a lot of fun and certainly shows much more comfort being in the water.

We switched up the traditional neighborhood Friday night dinner out to Teak instead of MAB&G as the weather is beautiful and we wanted to eat outside.  Miss A certainly likes the rice better than mac & cheese so we probably will change it up more often in the future..

Saturday we went to Tumble Bees for the last session.  We did not re-enroll as Audrey shows no interest at all.  And it is not her age because kids her age and younger thoroughly enjoyed the class.  Audrey favorite part of this class was when the bubbles were blown on the group at the end.

  After her nap we went for a hike in French Park with John and the hiking carrier.  She liked the hiking carrier slightly better than the 1st time.

  Afterwards we went to Graeters for ice cream.  When she walked in the ice cream shop she loudly said "yeah" and clapped.  Everyone noticed and one lady called her the "ice cream girl" when she saw her later outside.

She needs more calcium in her diet and she won't drink milk.

She likes cottage cheese and cheese but we are pretty free with the ice cream as she can use more weight (10% on charts now).

Working it with 2 spoons.