A Trip to the Zoo With My Animals

Yesterday we took the kids to the zoo. It was a well planned trip. I bought a livingsocial voucher/coupon several weeks ago and got our tickets for half off. I packed snacks, lunch and drinks. We sunscreened the kids and were on the road by 8:45.

We all know how the best laid plans, well, go to pot. Sam cried for nearly the 2 hour trip over there, which by the way, should have only been an hour and half, but we missed an exit and had to go 15 miles out of the way to get there. Glen was frustrated. We were not off to a good start.

Thankfully, our eventual arrival improved everyone's disposition. We decided to just see "Africa," knowing we only had a few hours (you know, little kids + hot + tired + naptime is not a good combo).

The very first exhibit we got to see these guys . . .

They are just so neat! We saw giraffes, ostriches, elephants, baboons, chimpanzees, gorillas, lemurs, lions and zebras! The giraffes were my favorite. Elephants were Anna-Kathryn's favorite. And the Zebras were Madison's favorite. We had such a great time seeing each of the animals, reading little facts about them, taking pictures, and playing games. The girls just giggled and couldn't get enough of the baboons "red butts!"

We stopped and had our lunch break along the trail so we wouldn't be too tempted by the yummy smelling food they were selling for top dollar. I think we all enjoyed our free picnic in the shade much more than $10 chicken strips in the sun! The girls did a little "hiking" while we picnicked.

While the rest of us were having fun, it was just too much for little Sam. He was tired and cranky. Most of his day looked like this . . .

About half way through the animal exhibits we stopped to ride the carousel and visit the 4D theater (included with our livingsocial voucher!). The girls loved it, but Sam not so much. He stayed back with mommy while daddy and the girls rode the carousel. Then he stayed with daddy while mommy and the girls watched the Ice Age feature in the theater.

Madison isn't usually a big fan of having her picture taken, but she sure did enjoy posing with the animals yesterday. My monkey!

 Having a snack and taming and ant eater. Good times!

The main thing Madison wanted to see while we were there was the zebras. It was the.very.last.exhibit. We thought we weren't going to get to see them. I had already apologized to her. Then we rounded the corner and there they were. She was so excited she ran to the fence!

Overall, it was a good trip. We had some great family time and made some memories.

As I'm typing this, I am over come with gratefulness for my family, for healthy children, for a fun and fantastic husband/dad to our kids, for means and opportunities to do fun things together. Thank you Lord for these and my many other blessings!



P.S. After our "day trip" and then a cookout I decided to work on Madison's hair a little more. You remember this fiasco. So here is her new, cutbymommy do' . . .

Here's to a great week and new adventures!
Lindsey