Caroline's Last Week of Summer

Last week was Caroline's last week of summer and that meant I had very little time left with my firstborn before she heads off to start Kindergarten tomorrow. We've enjoyed a wonderful summer together, but it's gone by so fast and the start of the school year feels like a band-aid I'm not yet ready to rip off. It's bittersweet, for sure. Caroline and I have spent most of our time together for the last 5 years, and I'm feeling very sad and more than a little anxious about being apart from her all day long.

So with that in mind, we spent our last few days together doing just things that Caroline wanted. She picked the Richmond Zoo, Lewis Ginter Botantical Gardens, feeding the ducks at the University of Richmond, and picking out some new Cougar swag at the Collegiate Cougar Shop among a couple other activities to round out her summer. We hit the ground running with her list at the beginning of the week and made the most of our mornings, while the taking the afternoons easy at home. Over the weekend, Caroline spent lots of quality time with Daddy, and then we put in a visit with cousins Will and Claire and a BBQ with buddies Henry and Thomas to make Caroline's last week of summer complete!

Zoo Visit:
I am slightly embarrassed to admit that in the 4 years we have lived in Richmond, I have been to the zoo exactly zero times. Until this past week, that is! Richmond Zoo may not be the most swanky zoo you've ever seen, but I loved it and so did the girls.

Greeting a very cute gibbon

Caroline hand-to-hand with another primate :)

The look on Margaret's face after she heard the lions roaring at each other.

The giraffes saw us coming with food and started to run! 

Julia got the biggest kick out of feeding them.

All lined up and ready to eat.

All lined up and (kind of) ready for a picture.

Our third favorite activity at the zoo (behind feeding the giraffes and playing in the jungle gym) was watching the penguin feeding.

Margaret enjoyed the jungle gym the most.

I'm going to miss hanging out with this sweet face all day long.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

My three butterflies :)

The butterfly exhibit is an annual hit with our girls. 

This picture cracks me up. Margaret using the magnifying glass correctly and Julia, well... 

Snack time with Margaret. 

Caroline and Julia looking out over the lake.

Fun times in the sandbox.

Caroline concentrating hard on a project.

Gearing up at the Cougar Shop!!

Caroline looks so grown up in this picture.

Julia and buddy Juliana checking out a fish that a camp counselor was showing them at the University of Richmond. I see fishing camp in Julia's future!

Hi Ho Cherry-o has always been a favorite for Daddy and Caroline.