At first, Cailin was nice and calm and just riding in her stroller enjoying the park.
Then whenever the tour guide would start talking about the animals we'd come across, Cailin would start babbling and yelling. It was pretty funny, because it seemed that when she heard talking, this would start her to talking and shrieking. She'd start to wave her hands around and let out loud and long screams. 
It was really interesting walking through the park. I really liked learning about the different animals. When we first came to Florida, I was so fascinated with the birds because I thought it was so amazing that these birds actually dove in the water and caught fish. Well this bird is equally amazing, he is called a snake bird and he not only hunts in the water for food, but he actually swims around in the water with it's head and neck out of the water.
There were vultures and eagles overhead. Maybe next time I'll have gotten a telephoto lens for my camera (so you can actually see the bird).
There was an alligator under the brush. The kids were really excited to see him. I was just afraid, because it took me a long time to spot him. The alligator was blended into the surrounding and only his head remained above the water. I'm pretty sure he seen us long before we seen him. I don't care how long I have lived in Florida, I don't think I can truly get used to alligators living so close to were I live (probably because he can eat me)!
This was a soft shell turtle
At the end of the field trip, we all went into the animal shelter. This is were they kept all the injured animals and the animals that you could hold. This was also the place they kept animals that people had released into the park, but were not natives to the park or Florida. I couldn't believe that Ariel volunteered to hold the snake. The tour guide asked her to sit on the floor and hold the snake in her lap. Ariel did just that and she seemed perfectly comfortable holding the snake. She has always been comfortable with bugs and animals. When she was two and three years old, I would have to stop her from picking up bugs and whatever else she found outside.
After, she finished holding the snake, she passed it along to the next person in line. I watched in amazement because I have never held a snake and probably never will! 
Ariel was dancing to her Cheetah Girls CD! She absolutly loves the Cheetah Girls! Lately, that's all I hear- Cheetah Girls this and Cheetah Girls that! 
It was really funny because every time I got ready to take a picture, she would stop and strike a pose.
I have no idea what she was doing here, but it's a pretty funny picture!
I thought this was a great picture of her. She is a very photogenic child. She humors me even though she is sometimes not that thrilled with me taking pictures.
I buy Cailin outfits that have the hats to go with them. It works great when it is a little windy outside. She used to never bother the hat.
Now as soon as I put it on, she is pulling it off!
And naturally she eats it, because everything she has goes in her mouth. 
On Christmas Eve, we went over to my Mother's home. She has an amazing view of the lake. I decided to go outside, it was a great day, and take pictures.
I told Ariel to do something and she started jumping. I have another picture that I'm not going to post, because she doesn't like it (it has her looking like a bird).
She always chases birds when we are out there. I tell her to stop because as big as the birds are one day they are going to chase her.
Ariel starting playing the violin at the beginning of the school year. I believe she tried the violin because she discovered that I used to play. In the past, she has taken my violin from the garage and tinkered with it. On December 19 they had a Christmas program. She did really well for just having started to play a few months ago.
The fourth graders (first year playing) plucked the strings of the violin and the fifth graders (they had been playing since last year) were allowed to use the bow. The music teacher played the keyboard along with them. Everyone sounded great for not having played that long!
It lasted about 20 minutes and then they were done. Ariel done a great job!
Because they moved so quickly, it never was an opportunity to get a group shot. So after the program, I had Ariel pose with her violin. 
