First Zoo Trip!

Today, despite the prediction of highs in the mid-90’s, we headed to the City Zoo. It took less than 30 minutes to drive there, and M. napped on the way. We were so early that we had to wait a little while before we could pay to get in, but that just gave Neighbor Nanny, her Husband, and the Twins time to get to the zoo and join us in line.

As soon as we paid, we walked over to see the flamingos. M. was busy chewing on a cool teether, but he did seem a little impressed at their ability to stand on one leg. Then we walked up the hill and saw elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and some really fascinating warthogs. Then we looked for the lions, but they were hiding from everyone.

We backtracked a bit and went into the parakeet habitat, and M. loved getting to see birdies up close, especially such colorful and friendly birds. Then, after a water break, we headed over to the gorilla compound, and made a quick stop in to see lemurs. The gorillas were pretty nifty, especially since some of the “toddler-size” gorillas came up nice and close to the viewing area!

After we left the (nice and cool) indoor gorilla viewing area, M. met a little girl named Emma, who was about 6, and thought M. was “really CUTE!” Then we took another water break, and saw the naked mole rats, who were exactly as appealing as they sound.  Even with all the shade, it was getting a little warm and M. was hungry, so we headed into the cool and comfy, yet creepy, reptile house. The Twins looked around while M. had a bottle and people watched. He also got a chance to get out of the stroller and stretch his legs a bit before we all headed down to see the pandas.

We saw some more apes and monkeys, as well as a few bears, tigers, and red pandas on our way to see the pandas from China, who were so cool! The indoor viewing area is floor to ceiling glass, so M. sat in the stroller about 2 feet from the glass and one of the pandas ambled up and lay down for a rest right in front of him! M. was bouncing up and down in the stroller and squealing with excitement.

We headed down for lunch after leaving the pandas behind, and M. had fun eating puffs and sweet potatoes and trying his best to charm Neighbor Nanny's Husband's socks off. Once everyone was done eating lunch there was a diaper explosion, and M. got to ride around in just a fresh diaper, which was simultaneously redneck and adorable. He was getting restless, so we said bye to the Twins (and Neighbor Nanny and her Husband) and headed to the car.