The Zoo!

This week is spring break. I've tried to have something fun and out of the ordinary on the schedule for every day this week. Most of the things are small and simple (a picnic at the park, being watched by a babysitter - which my kids love, having a cousin over for a sleepover, etc.), but I wanted to do at least one big activity. For us today, it was going to the zoo. I'm not usually a big zoo fan. It's not that I don't like animals, I just don't always see the point in going somewhere just to watch them lay around. However, today was fun. I had such a great time with my kids today. It surprised me a little. I do love doing things with my kids and they are usually enjoyable, but sometimes I do things because I want them to look back at their childhoods with happy memories - not necessarily because I particularly love them (i.e. - the zoo). But today was great. We all had a fantastic time. The weather started off a little chilly (which worried me because we went to the zoo once last year in the cold and we did not last long) but warmed up to the point where we were comfortable but not too hot. We were there almost three hours! Maybe that's nothing to you zoo-enthusiasts, but for us, this was something. If Sammie hadn't been with us we may have lasted even longer.

We saw all the exhibits. Clayton was the map man and had a good time being our zoo guide, Noah loved seeing the different animals and imitating their sounds (he does a mean swan sound - seriously, dead on), Josie was also a huge fan of looking at the animals - and imitating them, and Sammie loved napping almost the entire time. Here is the photographic evidence of our day:
Pouring over the map to figure out our route through the zoo.

One thing I appreciated this time at the zoo that I've never been able to experience before was having the boys actually care about the facts of each animal. Usually we just look and watch. This time Clayton would read the little plaque and we learned some pretty cool facts!

Seeing how far we can jump (none of us are headed to the Olympics for the long jump any time soon).

Usually the otters and the prairie dogs are my favorite (because they're the most animated and entertaining). Today the flaminoes were the best by a long shot!

We were walking away from the flamingo habitat when we heard what sounded a lot like a goose. I didn't think much of it because geese run wild around South Bend (seriously, they're everywhere). Upon cloer inspection we discovered that two of the flamingoes had wandered to the very edge of the exhibit and were standing by the stairs that lead to the zoo restraunt - probably looking for a snack. The kids were able to sit on the stairs and play peek-a-boo with the flamingoes. Yes, peek-a-boo. The kids would duck their heads down and the flamingoes would duck their heads behind the fence, then the kids would pop their heads up and the flamingoes would pop their heads up. They were so close! I had to remind the kids several times not to get too close (we could easily have touched them)! We stayed there and played with those flamingoes for probably 15 minutes or so. It was my favorite part of the zoo for sure!

Josie loved the flamingoes for several reasons. The main one seemed to be that they were pink. Go figure.

Such cool birds!

I'm noticing that I didn't take many picture of the animals we saw, but believe me, we saw plenty. I was just so impressed and pleased with how my kids were handling themselves that I couldn't keep the camera off them. Noah and Josie fight a lot lately. I think they're just too similar sometimes. Both opinionated. Both stubborn. Today they were getting along famously! It gives me hope for their relationship!

 Clayton and Noah watching the monkeys.

 Sammie was in her own happy place.

It just wouldn't be an outing if there wasn't at least one pout session. Fortunately this was toward the end of our visit and so we just took pictures of her and laughed. She snapped out of it.

 I love this picture!

After we'd been there about two hours Kerstin showed up with her kids. It was awesome! The kids had been waiting and waiting to ride the train until they got there. Kerstin was the brave one who rode the train with all 7 of the older kids while I stayed behind with our strollers and the still sleeping Sammie.

 Who just happened to wake up while they were riding the train.

These cousins love hanging out together. Every time they see each other (which is pretty frequent since we live so close these days) you'd swear it was the first time in years. They get so excited. I love that they're close.

This picture just makes me smile. Josie and Tori are becoming good little friends. They held hands almost the entire time. Cute, cute girls.

 I wanted one group shot to commemorate our day. I think we did pretty good.

Shortly after Sammie woke up we left the zoo to go to the park across the street for lunch and a little bit of playing. After today I find myself wondering if we shouldn't get a season pass for the zoo. I'm looking forward to returning!

Now for tomorrow...Grandpa (or "Pumpah" as we like to call him) is coming! New flooring and new adventures await us. Best. Spring. Break. Ever!