Birthday at the Aquarium!

For Aminah's actual birthday day (April 8) we went to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden New Jersey with my mom. I have a tradition of taking Aminah out on her birthday day. I took her to the Philly Zoo for her first birthday and let her get her face painted like a flower. Her second birthday my mom and I took her to the Adventure Aquarium too. Last year my mom and I took her......you know, I don't remember. And I have no pictures from it. Hmmmmm. I'll have to ask my mom, who is working now. I do remember that I bought her a birthday ring (for fun celebrating) and I made her a birthday crown last year for her birthday. Here is a picture from her third birthday day (April 8 2009) where you can see the crown, birthday ring, chocolate cake that Aminah and I decorated together (and me with short hair!)





So flash forward to this years birthday. My mom and I took her to the Aquarium and had lots of fun!









Can you see the hippo in this picture?



Octopus!







Blue, Cotton-Candy flavored ice cream from Maggie Mooes after the Aquarium, as a treat before birthday day dinner with us plus Aminah's Papa, Grandpa and Uncle Abe.

Beach Day Video

I tried to post this on my other post, but it wouldn't take.
So I'm giving it it's own post.
Here you see Aminah and me running back and forth in the surf, as the water comes in and out.

Beach Day! (From March 11, 2010)

Yes, this is a good month late.

My friend Maryam and I decided to go to the beach with her two kids, Saliha and Raheem, and me and Aminah. It was a warm day, and it was going to start to rain soon, so we thought it would be a good time to get out and do something super fun and sunny after all the super fun snow.

Raheem and Maryam hung out on the sand mostly, while I took the girls to the water's edge. He was more interested in sand than water that day. I look forward to going back soon.

Aminah, right before leaving: "I needed some green on me."



Playing in the sand:









Going to the water:



The water is COLD!














This was the first time Aminah every played in the ocean. We took her before, and she was always scared of the loud booming sound of the waves. She felt that feeling of the sand allowing your feet to slowly sink while you stand still in the surf, while the water is coming in and out to sea at the same time, and you feel like you are moving, though you are not. You know what I'm talking about? It's such a magical feeling, and she just thought it was amazing. She kept saying "The sand is moving me! Come feel it with me!" She was all smiles. It was thrilling. Until my feet were too numb to keep it up. It was so great to be with Aminah and Saliha while they really got a chance to play with the waves and figure them out and just experience beach nature.

Beach kisses:

Longwood Gardens (From March 6, 2010)

Our trip to Longwood Gardens with our friends. Diane (the mommy) and Amina (the girl). We were very inspired by all the indoor flowers and lush bright green (indoor) grass. Both girls really wanted to play on the grass and pick flowers, but didn't.
















Chasing water

Springitme at the playground! (From March 8, 2010)

With our Friends at the Elmwood Park Zoo (March 5, 2010).

The Elmwood Park Zoo is a smaller zoo, in Norristown.



Our friends have a membership, and are generous enough to invite us to come with them most times that they go. I never knew there was a zoo in Norristown, until I became a mother.

When we first arrive, looking over the deck at the bald eagles and turkey vultures.
The bald eagles are rescued, and safe here. They are all injured, and not caged on top, only around them. The vultures like to hang out and get free food.





Wolves!





Snacktime!



Time to keep walking!



Buffalo!




Elk!



At the playground, in the middle of the zoo:





On the way home:



And we notice our crocuses upon arriving home!