Last weekend was bananas!

Weekends are usually laid back for us but last weekend was bananas! We were planning to attend the Beer Festival, the Chesapeake Jubilee, the Greek Festival, the Stockley Gardens Art Festival and my niece's birthday party at the Jumping Monkey!
Unfortunately we were only able to attend three of those events, but that was enough. And of course my camera's battery was not charged so I only got a couple of photos.
First up was my niece's 5th birthday! For once Daniel and I were ready, had a gift in hand and were out of the house on time, but of course we couldnt find the place at all. So as usual we were late. I thinks its just in our DNA.
Five year olds, pizza, cupcakes, tiaras and inflatable jungle gyms-It was a good time! No photos because all of them came out very blurry (my camera was on the wrong setting.)
After the birthday party, we had to run to the Chesapeake Jubilee. The Jubilee is like a any other fair with fireworks, music, rides and Carnival food. Daniel had been asked by the TV Station to work for a few hours at the Jubilee so here he is on a Segway passing out flyers for their new promotion. He was having much more fun speeding around on that thing than passing out flyers. It looked fun but I didnt get on it.
I think Daniel should buy one and ride it to work, the trip is only a mile. Although in crazy Portsmouth someone would probably try to knock you off it and steal it from you. This city is so crazy, the other day a man in a Lexus pulled up beside me,rolled his car window down, waved a Military ID around and then started begging me for money! Dude was in a Lexus!
Anyway, one great benefit of Daniel working the event was that we got awesome "official" parking. I guess working in the media has a few perks.





The only other photos I took from the Jubilee was this portly pony and the monkey above. I was trying to conserve on the battery.


Sunday we went to the Stockley Arts Festival. You cant beat walking around outdoors on a gorgeous day looking at regional art and handmade trinkets. I shot this photo of Daniel and my niece Katlyn right before the camera died. Unfortunately we missed out on the Beer Festival and the Greek Festival. I heard the Beer Fest was so packed you had to wait in line for 30 minutes just to get in, so I didnt mind missing that. As for the Greek Festival, there is always next year for Spanikopita and Gyros.

morning

Every morning this is what I see sitting outside the bathroom as I am performing my morning ritual of hair brushing and make-up applying. Normally he is holding that ragged stuffed hedgehog(the brown thing on the floor in the photo) in his mouth hoping I will play. He does this until I start brushing my teeth, then he drops his toy and watches and listens intently. Just like this. I know he is wondering what the heck I am doing. He is so cute.

fauna

I am a bit late on posting this but better late than never.
The weekend after visiting the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Daniel and I scored tickets to the "Rock n Roar" at the Norfolk Zoo.
The Rock n Roar is a fundraising event at night in the zoo. This event in particular was supposed to be in honor of the two new lion cubs that were born at the zoo in Febuary.
We werent really certain what to expect when we got there. I was hoping we would be able to see some of the zoo, or at least some animals, the nocturnal ones or perhaps a zookeeper walking around with a lemur or an owl, heck I would have settled for a possum. Much to my disappointment we didnt see a single animal. I guess they needed to protect them from all the drunks.
Basically it was a tent set up in a grassy area with food, liqour and a cover band. They did have a silent auction of some very interesting artwork. There were painted masks made from elephant dung, photography and some intriguing abstract artwork from various animals at the zoo including the warthogs and the elephants. I personally thought the wart hogs demonstrated the best use of space and color:)
After walking around a bit, Daniel and I decided to have a few drinks (we have a hard time turning down free drinks) and take a few pictures.
I was fascinated with the ice sculptures. I guess they were supposed to be bears playing instruments and holding alcohol bottles, but it was a very warm night and by the time we showed up which was two hours late most of their features had melted off.


There was also a costume contest so some came dressed as animals, such as these two pink flamingos who braved the dance floor.

On our way out we stopped to enjoy the water fountains and take a few photos.