Our First Trip to the Zoo

Two weeks ago Tony and I took Harper and Jack to the zoo which is something we've been wanting to do all year. We knew that the summer would be hot, so I set out to find an efficient way to cover the most ground and hit the high points for the kiddos.  I printed map in advance and plotted out our route.

We told Jack and Harper about the zoo trip earlier in the week and they woke up each morning saying "I'm going to the zoo today!" They were so excited when Saturday rolled around and they were really getting to go to the zoo. Nana and Pop met went with us, and we all crowded into the van with the big stroller and set out on our adventure. 

Overall, I think Harper and Jack had a great time. We started with the monkeys and rhinos and elephants and giraffes and then saw the lions and tigers and moved on to the kangaroos, birds, zebras and a variety of other animals. Below are pictures of some of our favorites- Tony did a great job snapping these photos.

 

In addition to the animals, Harper and Jack also enjoyed looking at the statues, playing in the old west stage coach, and, most of all, riding the train that runs from the back of the zoo to the front of the zoo. This train was a nice cool way to end our zoo trip, and we boarded the train at just the right time to finish up the zoo before lunch- which was one of my goals.

 

We did make a stop at the gift shop to get just one thing each (both kids picked stuffed animals and both kids made their selection within 3-4 minutes of being in the store- score!)

After the zoo Nana and Pop treated us to lunch at their club. Jack was very excited to watch the golfers zoom around in the golf carts and the kids got to see where Tony and I had our reception. Jack kept saying "Daddy and Mommy get married here. Daddy gave Mommy a ring!" How does he know when you get married you get a ring?  Who knows!?!

We went back to Nana and Pop's house and the kids took a nice nap and were refreshed and ready for dinner with Granny. After dinner we went back to Nana and Pop's where Pop put on the BeeGees and Harper and Jack danced in the den. It was so cute to watch to them cut a rug that we all joined in. I remember listening to the BeeGees with my dad when I was kid and dancing around with him, so it warmed my heart to see him dancing with Harper and Jack and carrying on this tradition. 

By the end of the night, the kids were wiped out and ready to sleep on the way home...we thought. Harper was out when we pulled out of Nana and Pop's house, but Jack sang and talked the whole way home (he was singing "Benny and the Jets" over and over again). When we pulled into the alley, a little voice said "we're home!" :)

The zoo trip was a great success and the kids are already talking about wanting to go back. I think we'll wait until the fall when it's not 100 degrees outside. We did manage to get a picture of the 4 of us (a rarity); don't be surprised if this makes the Christmas card.

Happy Zoo Trip from the Colletts! :)