Zoo Much Fun!

On Thursday I took the kids up to the zoo. Elizabeth has never been (at least not that she's old enough to recall) and I knew she would love seeing all of the animals. Even though it's only week 1 of summer vacation, we decided to go now because: 1 - many other school districts were still in session for this week and therefore it wouldn't be too crowded, and 2 - it would (supposedly) be better to go now before the weather gets too hot.

We had to wait for a contractor to fix our basement bathroom hardware. He left around 11:00 and we jumped in the car immediately. After a good hour, we arrived at the zoo and ate a picnic lunch in the car. We then slathered on sunscreen and got out of the car in our shorts and sandals -- it was windy and cold! A few families were coming back to their cars to go home, wearing jackets or wrapped in blankets. Wednesday had gotten hot in the afternoon, so I was not prepared for it to be 20 degrees cooler! So much for having better weather in the beginning of June!

I thought for a minute about spending $40 just to have miserable cold kids and having to go home too soon. And then I thought for another minute about the long drive to get to the zoo, and how it would be a waste to just turn around and go home now. And then I polled the boys . . 2 out of 3 said to stay so we did!

There were moments of being too cold, and moments when the wind would stop and the sun would warm us up. And there were enough exhibits inside that we survived :)

Did I mention it was cold outside?

(Joshua and Benjamin chose on their own to pick matching outfits -- silly boys!)

Elizabeth loved seeing the elephants. Ryan has taught her how to trumpet like an elephant, and she made her noises right on cue when she saw them.



We went to the bird show for the first time. It was entertaining and everyone in the family loved it! Too bad I accidentally left the camera in the stroller -- the birds were so beautiful!

What zoo trip would be complete without the carousel ride?

Nathan - Poison Dart Frog

Benjamin - Cheetah (of course!); Joshua - Elephant

Elizabeth - Mandrill

We did enjoy seeing the animals, but I think the kids had more fun with the sand digger toys and the photo ops with dinosaurs and gorillas!

Right now the zoo has a "Zoorasic Park" theme

We saved the train ride and the playground area for the end of the day. Despite the cold, we had a good time and I'm so glad we went!

Joshua and Benjamin LOVE trains

Nathan LOVES his little sister

Joshua usually doesn't move slow enough to be called a turtle, but he sure makes a cute one for a few seconds!