Marathon Zoo Trip

On Friday, we headed to the  zoo with several of our FTM friends. While it was pleasant in the shade when there was a breeze, it was sweltering and muggy in the sun. The kiddos had a big time playing and running around, and we saw the baby giraffe and pet the farm animals. After lunch, Helen Grace spent some time at her favorite place in the zoo- the playground. We shared {but I only got a little spoonful} of Dippin Dots too. Our friends headed home for naps, but since she was still happy and ready for more animals, we set off to see the pandas and elephants.

While we were standing at the panda’s window, we turned around to see Brandy’s three girls and her hubby {she is on a ‘mom-cation’}. Helen Grace was excited to see the girls, so we rode the carousel together and headed for the elephants…and then the rain started. At first, it was just a very light sprinkle which felt nice in the heat, but it kept getting harder and harder. We made a dash for the Teton Trek lodge, and after it slowed down, the girls hit the fountain. For some reason, HG was timid about getting in the water, but she eventually waded in ankle deep. After a while, I finally convinced her it was time to go, but she asked to see the birdies on our way out. The birds were wild that afternoon, and at one point, we had FIVE birds on our food stick while many more ran around our feet. As we started for the door, she looked at one of the zoo workers and said, “I’m going home. In the car with milk and Lovie.” Time to go! But what a great time at the zoo!

“Here, Mommy; you hold Lovie.” Our little monkeys checking out the gorilla (HG, Tyler, Callum, Alaina) Look at the adorable itty bitty baby giraffe! HG wanted to see the “giraffes with the really long necks.” They wanted that sheep so badly! Wheeeee! Her first time to give Dippin Dots a shot…and they were a monster HIT!! Mama should have moved quicker to have more than two spoonfuls. :)"Panda’s sleeping, Mommy. Oh! He’s awake!” (He wasn’t really awake, but she acted like he moved and nudged her through the glass.) Look who we ran into!!! Remle and Daily (and Frankie Grace too)Riding the carousel…she preferred to sit on a stationary seat this time and did not want me to move an inch from her side while the carousel was moving. Frankie Grace was feeling the raindrops starting to fall on her! Watching the big girls play in the fountain…she wasn’t very sure about going into the water. Now she’s warming up a little. So she got into the water (albeit timidly) but held her hands over her ears the whole time. The birds were nuts today!   Bird fight!