Off to the Zoo with Nana

Nana, the boys, and I head to the zoo after Wyatt's birthday celebrations.  I had planned for us to go to the 1st weekly Ladybug Picnic in the Park, which I am in charge of organizing every week, but Mom thought she would rather go to the zoo.  So off we went.  We got very lucky and had a great parking place!  We packed a lunch, a stroller, and headed off to see the animals!

The zoo was PACKED before lunch, because it was the last week of CHI school, and there were tons of school trips there.  So many kids.  It thinned out quite a bit after lunch when they all went back to school, but for awhile, it was chaos.

Stop 1: Seals; their pool is right by the entrance, so we stopped there and let the kids eat their snacks.

The seals were bigger than I remembered!

We were about to head off to see other animals until the kids saw the zoo train.  It's rarely in operation when we are here, since we try and visit on the off-times.  Once the train was spotted, the boys would not be denied.

Small train just drives in small circles - not so exciting for the older kids.

Getting ready to go.  Train was pretty full, but the boys had one car to themselves

Getting locked in!

Off to see some animals.  Since it is Wyatt's birthday, he should get to see his favorites - CATS!

Gorgeous tiger keeping cool inside.

So big and powerful-looking up close

More animals, then another first - the carousel!  Wyatt's first time.

Zachary on the tiger

Zachary, Nana, Wyatt on carousel

Wyatt a bit tentative

Boys on the carousel; Wyatt says "Mommy, up and DOWN!"

Then off to lunch. We found a nice shady spot with not TOO many people. We were only bugged by one other being

This little guy was not shy, and stayed very near us during our entire lunch

When asked if they wanted to see more animals, the boys responded "another train ride".  Nana of course obliged.  This time there were no other kids waiting, so Zach and Wy each got their own car.

Both enjoying being on their own.

After the train we tried to view a few more animals, but it was getting quite late (well past 1pm), and the boys were getting tired.  They started fighting over who got to sit in the stroller.  I had to carry Wyatt on my shoulders for a bit which neither of us liked.  At the polar bear exhibit I had the "brilliant" idea to put them both in the stroller.  It did work.  For about 45 seconds until they started pushing (out of fun, not anger) each other.

Not the best idea

We decided to call it a day.  Nana got everyone one more treat - iced coffee for the ladies and a pretzel for the boys.  Off to the car, quick diaper change, and we're off.  Wyatt was asleep in moments, Zach nearly asleep when we got home.  Both boys went into bed gratefully!