Petting Zoo Party

Recently Olivia's school had its annual fundraiser.  One of the ways it raises money is by asking parents to host various parties and selling "tickets" to those parties.  All the money raised from the ticket sales goes to the teachers.  This is a fun way to help the sweet teachers that take care our kids and add a few play-dates to the calendar.  We co-hosted a Petting Zoo & Pony Party at our house on Saturday.  (The Tea Party we went to a few weeks ago was another fundraising party and we also have plans to go to a "Sno Cones in the Park Party" and I'm co-hosting a "Mamas and Margaritas" party too!)

Olivia was SO excited in the days leading up to the party.  She woke up 3 days in a row asking if the "aminals" were coming to her house.  Finally Saturday arrived and we could answer "Yes!  They will be here soon!"  She could hardly contain herself!

She ran up to the container of water, screaming "horsey ride!" and pretended it was a pony.  (This actually held her attention for about 10 minutes so we could finish setting up....very awesome!).

We were outside when Matt said "Olivia, I think the animals are here!" She squealed, ran to me with arms in the air to hold her, and instructed me to "see aminals mama!"  And for the next 20 minutes she stood watching them bring the animals in our backyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before her friends arrived, Rocky (big guy, cowboy hat) let us have a sneak-peek of the animals.  She was a little timid at first (especially of poor Rocky who only wanted Olivia to be his friend!) but she pet all of them, and laughed out loud every time the rooster crowed.  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures, assuming that I would get some of her petting the animals during the actual party.  Wrong assumption.  Once her friends arrived, I guess it was too overwhelming because she melted down and refused to go back and pet any of the animals.

She much preferred helping daddy greet her friends...

Or stealing ice with her buddy Teal.

 

 

The closest she got to the animals was peering in on the baby bunnies and baby ducks.

 

 

But, it looked like all of her friends enjoyed the animals.

Soon the Houston heat got to these little ones and they retreated inside for playtime and lunch.

 

 

 

 

Olivia and her bff Cate thought it was hilarious to spread out the blankets and "go ni ni!"

 

 

 

Before we knew it, it was time to say bye-bye to the animals and Cate. (Notice how obediently the animals get back in the trailer -- I told Olivia she should be like that when I tell her to get in her carseat!)

 

After everyone left she turned back into her crazy, silly self and told us repeatedly that she liked the animals and how they went bye-bye in their red car!