For months I've been wanting to take the kids to the zoo. For months it's been triple-digit-hot. So when I saw we might hit 90 by 1 p.m. on Saturday, I didn't even bother asking the fam what they would like to do yesterday.... Zoo!!!
Fine print: It was more like 101 by 10:30 a.m. (Fail.) but I these pictures can't express how completely over-the-top insane the trip was. There were baby elephants (like two week old fuzzy-headed wobbly beings of cuteness); a white tiger who paced and showed off in front of the kids, a four-inch layer of plexiglass was all that separated them; a papa gorilla who sat entertaining and waving hysterically at us gawkers; a baby gorilla who literally PLAYED with the kids from it's habitat...I can't even remember it all. It was just like every time we turned around, something amazing was waiting for us to take notice.
Getting a better look at the rhinos.
"Furry things!"
Nap time.
In awe of the newborn apes that were in a private enclosure with momma ape.
THIS was crazy. This momma and her toddler connected with the kids and they were communicating back and forth and smiling from ear to ear. It was really hard to get the kids to step out of the way for the crowd of people who amassed and wanted a chance to see the baby gorilla, too. I didn't blame them.
Baby elephants!
For the record, I didn't have a zoom lens and I didn't crop this photo. Mr. Sloth Bear was about six feet from us and putting on a show.
Waiting for the one-way train back to the entrance for the zoo.
The waiting took a little toll on Michael...a few strong words from Dad and he was back in line. ;)
We can't wait to go back. When it's in the 70's, of course.