Water park in New Orleans Audubon Zoo?

New Orleans Audubon Zoo is a great zoo with very natural settings and wide variety of exotic animals but it is not a water park, at least not till today...

This afternoon I took Meredith and Isaac to the zoo by myself while Boon Hong went shopping. The temperature was hovering near 100F and after looking at a few animals we gravitate towards the Monkey Hill area of the zoo. The Monkey Hill consists of a rope walk where kids can climb up and down like monkey/spider. There is also a small man-made water fall nearby. After climbing the Monkey Hill, Meredith and Isaac couldn't wait to dip their feet in the pool below the water fall. At first, they just wanted to "touch" the water. Then, they wanted to stand in the water. And then before you know, Meredith "fell" and started playing around in the water. After that, there was no going back. Isaac and Meredith were soon playing and swimming in the pool.
We had such a good time and stayed till the zoo closing time. When the security guard came by, we finally realized we are one of the last people to leave the zoo.

Meredith summer swim class

Meredith has been taking swimming lessons all summer long. She goes to swim lessons twice a week. We started with the group lessons at the YMCA near our house and then switch her to a smaller class size a swim club nearby. After three months of swiming lessons, Meredith can swim now. Although she still lack confidence, she can swim over to me standing 15 feet away and lifting her head out of the water to breath several times.

Isaac has also been having a lot of pool time. Boon Hong brought him along and let him play in the pool while Meredith is having her swim lessons. Isaac still doesn't how to swim but he has learned a few tricks. He will duck under the water and pretend to be shark biting around wildly while I hold him.

Isaac watching a baseball game. New Orleans Zephyr is not a very good baseball team but it is a pretty good deal when the ticket price is only $1

Isaac waiting for his turn at the swimming pool

Dress like a Cow and eat for free day at Chick Fil A

The Chick Fil-A fast food store has been opened in New Orleans for almost half a year now. Their business is amazingly good since people here are really eager to try something new. The other major draw is the children playground in the Chick Fil-A, it seems like all the mom brought their kids there to kill time and use the indoor playground. Boon Hong also frequented Chick-Fil-A.

This time, Chick Fil A is coming up with "dress like a cow and eat free day". Boon hong made a cow costume for Isaac using a paper box. She also made a "cow t-shirt" for Meredith by pasting patches of black sponges to a white T-shirt. Isaac's costume is definitely a crowd pleaser, many people in Chick-Fil-A try to take photos of his costume. As a reward for their effort, the Chick-Fil-A guys gave them free breakfast meal and also several more coupons for redeeming free chicken sandwich in future.

Letter to Meredith

This is a letter that Boon Hong wrote to Meredith on her birthday, we thought we might post it here so one day Meredith can read about it when she grows up:

Dear Meredith,
Mummy think it will be very meaningful to write you a letter every year on your birthday , starting on your 4th birthday this year, and hope I will keep my words every year.

Meredith, you are my precious angel and I wish you have a happy and sweet birthday this year. You have grown to be a big girl now, and got very excited and can’t wait for this special day to come. You thought that being 4 years old is the coolest thing ever and it assembles your turning to be a big girl. You even want Mommy to bring a princess cake to school and hold a party for you. I can’t stop myself saying that to you that you will be my baby always no matter how old you are turning to.

I love you, honey. Mommy likes spending time with you each day even when you are being cranky each time when you wake up from your afternoon nap. Mommy finds many things that you said are simply cute. You always think in a logical manner. You once told Mommy that you want to raise four Baby Isaacs and live close to Mommy so that I can come over to help whenever you need a hand to hold the four Isaacs. You also came home from school one day and started asking me if you can have your own room since you are a big girl now. Now that I have prepare a bedroom for you, you also wanted me to move my clothing from the closet, so that you have a place for your toys and clothes. Although you are officially “out of mommy’s room”, you still wake up sleeping next to Mommy almost every morning.

Something that mommy wants to make sure you know for sure is that I love you very much. Mommy’s love is unconditional and willing to go an extra mile if I can make you happy. Mommy can’t imagine that we have been together for four years. You brought me tears and happiness during these years, and being able to watch you grow and be there for you is the greatest gift from God, even if you hates mommy for correcting your wrong behavior sometimes. Well, Mommy doesn't like seeing your hair being cut by your classmate at school, and I know it was partially your fault because you love playing silly games with your classmate. However, Mommy wants you to be able to stand up for yourself and not compromise to others. You need to learn when to say “no” to others and be assertive. However, Mommy was surprised with what you said when I drive you home from school (after that hair incident). You told me if your classmate claimed to be your best friend, she will not harm you because friends do not hurt each other. So, each year you will be a little wiser and smarter.