Dolphin

Yes, I realize I am pathetically behind on the blog. If anyone wants to come entertain the boys for a day, run my errands, and shuttle Andrew to multiple therapies... maybe then I could get caught up. :)

So... we'll go from here forward, and hope that, in time, I can get to the back stuff.

We visited the zoo today for their annual ZooBoo event. Andrew was VERY excited to get to wear his costume and go trick-or-treating at the zoo! And Noah, as is typical, figured if Andrew thought it was cool, than it really must be. Although, since we were up early for church this morning, Noah fell asleep on the way to the zoo and continued sleeping in the Ergo for the first 30 minutes or so that we were there.

The entire afternoon was quite fun for all of us, though I think the highlight for everyone came when we were in the underwater viewing dome, checking out the dolphins. I was watching Noah laugh at a dolphin, then turned to see this:

Eric had the camera in his pocket, and I didn't want to spook the dolphin by running up to grab it, so I pulled out my phone and snapped pictures with it. Not the best pictures, since it is a little dark in the dome, but I'm not sure the regular camera would have done any better since the flash would have been off.

The dolphin stayed around for several minutes, nodding, turning & twisting, and basically putting on it's own little show. When it took off, a second dolphin came over and continued the show with more of the same antics. Absolutely amazing to see!! And makes you realize how fun the zoo can be when it is less crowded. It was near closing time when we were in the dome, and there was only one other family in there with us (that would be who the little fairy in the photos belonged to) ... so it was a much quieter place than it is on a Saturday afternoon!

The boys in their costumes, Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat:

And a trip to the zoo wouldn't be complete without a ride on the carousel!

Another Zoo Visit

We woke up this morning, the sun was shining, the temp was 59-degrees with the forecast for a high in the low 70's.  Too beautiful to not take advantage of it.  So.... I packed a picnic lunch, packed the diaper bag, loaded the boys in the car and we headed to the zoo!  (and reminded myself again, of why I love having a membership there)

We started out the day with Noah on my back in the carrier and Andrew in the stroller.  What's he watching so intently??

The sea lions!  He laughs like mad when they go zooming by the window.

The stroller didn't last long for Andrew.  We weren't even all the way through the Oceans building and he was asking if he could walk and if it was Noah's turn for the stroller.  So, he got out and walked.  Noah stayed in the carrier for a while longer, but Andrew insisted Noah should ride, so I finally moved him.  Next time, we won't even bother with the stroller.  It's much easier to get around without it anyhow.

On the train.  Andrew's favorite part!  Noah was mad I made him sit in the seat and wouldn't let him stand.  Once we started moving though, he decided it wasn't so bad.  Andrew was excited we got to see one of the elephants walking on the road, right next to the train.

We finished all the main/favorite zoo attractions, and it was time for lunch, so we went out to the van to get it.  The picnic tables were full, so we spread a blanket out under all the shade trees and had a picnic. (lots of other people were doing the same thing).  I was a bit surprised Noah sat so well the whole time... but we were eating, and the boy loves his food!

After lunch, Andrew asked to go see the butterflies.  I'm not sure where he heard about them... Eric doesn't care for the exhibit, so we don't usually go to it.  And Andrew hadn't been to the butterflies in a couple years, so I was surprised he was asking for them.  We cleaned up our lunch and walked over to the gardens.  The exhibit was very noisy-- blowers? misters?-- something motorized that had a loud, hissing sound.  Andrew was hesitant to even go in the door.  Got him in and we walked around to see the butterflies.  We didn't stay long, since the noise was bothersome, but he got to see them and was happy with that.

Andrew said he like the great big one on this feeding station.  He thought it was neat you could see so many in one place.

We had a great time!  Noah fell asleep before we were out of the parking lot and Andrew is already asking when we get to go back.

Day at the Zoo

It's been a full year since we visited the zoo and we missed it!  I think Eric & I were as happy to be back at the zoo today as the boys were.  We were there about 5 hours, including a lunch break, and had a fabulous time!  Our membership has been renewed, so there will be lots more visits in the coming months.

Noah spent much of the day on my back in the carrier.  He loves to ride there and it is SO much easier than dealing with a stroller!

Andrew's Sunday school class made "binoculars" a few weeks ago.  I think it may have been Palm Sunday, when everyone was wanting to see Jesus?  It's been a while, but he loves them and insisted on taking them to the zoo today so he could see the animals better.

One of the breaks Noah was out of the carrier.  He wanted to try the "binoculars" too.

Feeding the giraffes!  Andrew was very excited to feed the baby giraffe and the rest of the day, whenever asked, he said the giraffes were his favorite.

An unhappy moment.  He thought he should get to ride the train standing up.  Mommy thought it was better if he sat on her lap.

9 hands high.  Noah was not cooperative for a photo, but we'll try again next time.

Can't go to the zoo without riding the carousel!  Noah's first ride and he had a blast.  Cried when it was time to get off.  Andrew panicked when Eric stepped away from him to take the photo of both boys together.  Even though the ride wasn't moving, Andrew was not happy about being there by himself and started crying & screaming that he wanted to get off.  I talked to him and calmed him down, and convinced him to stay on for the ride.  He said it was fun, but he was white-knuckled and anxious the entire time it was moving.  You can see the nervousness in the close-up picture of him (taken while moving).

One of the new cheetahs.  BEAUTIFUL!  They weren't officially on exhibit yet-- the path through their exhibit is still closed.  But, part of the temporary fencing fell down (near the elephants, for those familiar with the zoo) and they decided to leave it down and let everyone get an early glimpse.

Fascinated with watching the sharks, but still not willing to touch them.

We caught the sea lion demonstration near the end of our visit.  Noah was mesmerized.  I think it was the quietest he was all day... except for the nap he took in the carrier.

Sleepy boys after a long, fun day!