Zoo Trip

We went to the zoo over Labor Day weekend (it was actually not too crowded!) I did not take very many pictures, but we stayed about six hours and ended up having a good time (it was touch-and-go over the map for a minute.)

The kids had ice cream while we were waiting on the sea lion show to start (that was ice cream break #1)

James had Dippin Dots for ice cream break #2, which we're pretty sure he's allergic to. He said, "These are spicy," then "My mouth is burning," and then developed a gnarly case of hives.

Everyone liked the penguins, even though the kids thought it was too cold (see how their arms are tucked up in their t-shirts?) and Amelie thought it was smelly. 

 Amelie at the children's zoo, exhibiting her new transitions lenses.

Whoa! Meerkat!

Whoa! Frog!

I'm pretty sure Amelie spent about an hour just reading books in this spot when she was Leah's age.

James being James.

The big kids are about as tall as a pigmy goat. Sam's approximately the size of a llama.

We rode the train:

More playing in the children's zoo area. One of the bonuses of having big siblings is that they'll take you down the slide:  

This hippo has been there since my childhood and Amelie took yet another great picture with it.

Leah at the children's zoo.

James was a big fan of the misters, even though it was actually a pretty comfortable temperature. 

We got to "pet" the sting rays (though Sam sat this one out). If you put your hand in the water, they'll just come up and rub their backs against you - a little like a cat asking to be petted.

James got fantastically wet so he changed clothes afterwards. Amelie only got moderately wet, and unfortunately we just brought one big-kid change of clothing.

We went ahead and got a membership, so there may be several more zoo posts over the next year.