Ellie, your eleven…

It’s hard to believe that my first daughter, Ellie, turned eleven years old this past week. Eleven! I can honest to goodness remember the day and hour she was born as though it was yesterday. The little hand placed on her cheek as she was born almost like she was waiting patiently {and calmly} as she made her journey into the world. The silence that followed her birth, I swear, she didn’t cry for her first few weeks of life, she just whimpered {quite pathetically might I add} when she needed feeding or changed, or cuddled.

Those first few weeks of her life I’ll never forget. They were tough weeks. Emotional weeks and the most painful and confusing part of it all? Having my daughter and being taken back to the ward without her. Looking around me, seeing Mums with their sons and daughters and me without mine. It was heartwrenching. I remember just pulling the curtain around my bed to block out everything and everyone.

But I’ll also never forget when one of the midwives brought me a photo of my daughter just as they got her settled into her crib in the S.C.B.U. My first photo. So precious and I couldn’t stop staring at her. Do you know, I’m not sure if I’ve ever shared my eldest daughters birth story, I’ll look back and if I haven’t, I’ll consider writing one up to share with you guys.

But fast forwarding through the special care days, her premmie days, toddler years and primary school moments. My daughter is now eleven and just about to say goodbye to Primary school to venture into secondary school education. O.M.G!

Anyways…over the weekend we went to the zoo at Ellies request, to celebrate her birthday and here is a few photos of the day!

He doesn’t look so happy, does he?

We had the absolute pleasure of meeting this little guy {or girl – we’re not quite sure the gender of this little fella yet} but isn’t he {or she!} super cute! This is the first time I’ve ever seen a baby Penguin at Belfast zoo before. I’m sure Belfast zoo have had plenty of conservation successes when breeding is concerned, but for me personally, seeing this was a first. 

This little guy wasn’t camera shy at all!

This beautiful girl is Yhetto. The Zookeeper had just given her a shower, fed her some snacks, checked her feet to make sure they were in top condition {along with the other usual daily checks} and then she came out and started throwing mud/sand over herself. The kids thought this was hilarious.

I think the cocktail glasses {plastic!} with frilly and fun cocktail umbrellas went down a HIT with the girls. They felt proper fancy drinking from these during our picnic party at the zoo.

The kids were terrified {but in an excited sort of way} to be able to be face to face {literally} with a Male Barbary Lion. When he would come up to the glass, rub himself along it, the kids could almost imagine stroking him. It was a pretty amazing experience for them. 

We had gorgeous weather for our day out at Belfast Zoo, the kids had a great time and memories were made. Come September this lot all scatter to new Primary school years and some venture off into their secondary school years. This trip was so important and I love that we took so many fun photos for them all to remember the day. The day before the summer when everything will change.

Until next time!

Debs x