A Trip to the Zoo

Last weekend, I suggested that we take the kids to the zoo.  I had hoped to do this earlier in the summer, but time just got away from us ... and I finally seized the opportunity (while the weather was still cooperating) for us to do this together as a family.  The zoo is actually open year-round here, but I know from experience that several of the exhibits are not available when the summer traffic slows down.

The weather was still a little questionable when I presented this idea on a whim, but we were determined to make the best of it.  Luckily, the skies cleared up (and the rain stayed away) and we had a great time. 

Checking out the ostrich:

 

They have several of these signs all over the zoo and the girls always run right up to them and pose for me, begging me to take their picture:

 

Inside the zoo, there is a "farm" area, complete with all kinds of farm animals -- goats, pigs, donkeys, etc.  The girls were incredibly excited because on this particular day, they were able to go inside the gate and actually comb some of the goats.

 

Jack was awake for our whole zoo experience.  I had thought that he would just sleep through most of it in his stroller (since it was right during his morning nap time), but he surprised us by staying awake and taking in all of the sights (and smells).

 

Probably one of the biggest highlights was seeing the massive tiger.  He would come right up to the glass and then pace back and forth.  He startled Sophia the first time that she caught a glimpse of him, but then she just became completely intrigued.

 

 

Steve made sure that Jack was able to get a close-up view, as well.  It didn't bother him one bit.

 

There are these giraffe statues in the middle of the zoo and Samantha seems to remember them every time and beg for a picture.  How is this "picture-taking momma" going to resist that?

There was a large statue for Samantha to climb on and a smaller one for Sophia.  Perfect.

Sam loves the baboons with the "red bottoms."

Checking out the rhino (who was almost hidden); Sophia stared at him forever:

This turtle statue was a newer addition to the park.  The girls spied it immediately and posed for me.  It's like I have them trained or something.

Along one of the walkways, the girls discovered this zoo clubhouse.  They would have probably stayed in there all morning if we would have let them.  They even made a few new friends as kids would walk by and soon join them inside.

Our family of five:

Checking out the resting camel:

The kids and me:

And what trip to the zoo would be complete without a bag of animal crackers to munch on part-way through the excursion?

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Once we were done visiting all of the animals, we headed over to the playground area for a picnic lunch.

After the girls were re-fueled, we told them that they could go play for a little bit.  I watched them for a few minutes and then walked over to the parking lot so that Jack could have his "lunch."  I was just finishing up feeding him when the girls arrived and we were ready to head home for naps.

Swinging with Dad:

 

Jack tested out one of the swings too.  You can tell by the look of total concentration on his face that he wasn't really too sure of the safety factor of this swing.  It's a little different from his one at home!

 

This girl is not afraid to try anything!

It was a wonderful morning and we made some really special memories.  Next year, I am hoping to take the kids to an even bigger zoo that they can see even more animals ...