vacation: the part where we went to the zoo

I want to start off by saying that I have recently (as in, just now this minute) decided that I do not like blogging about vacation trips.  Our vacation ended two weeks ago and since it is no longer fresh in my mind, I'm having trouble remembering all the things worth remembering.  Which probably means that it wasn't worth remembering in the first place, but I can't really trust my memory these days.  It has let me down entirely too much.

But, for the sake of recording our special family outings, I'll do my best, and I'll try to keep my bad attitude and sarcasm to a minimum.

***

I wouldn't go so far as to call Happy Hollow a real zoo. I remember going there as a kid and could even vaguely remember some of the attractions that haven't changed. As an adult, my opinion is that the animals look depressed, the rides are in the sun and hot, and the petting zoo is dusty and small. But to Laci, it was pretty special and that is truly all that matters.

These kinds of outings are always overwhelming for me at first, but make me so happy once we get going. I get that little ego boost that every mom needs.  The one that says, "You are making memories with your kids. Good job today." Sometimes I need that.

When we arrived at the zoo, we made sure to take note of the bounce in our step as walked from the parking lot to the entrance.  We skipped, we smiled, we said, "We must remember how we are feeling right now.  It will be important later."

We walked through the zoo, Laci rode a few rides, even Mia went on a ride, and we visited the petting zoo area.  Laci had a great time, although she refused to even crack a smile when I took her picture.  That seems to be the norm for her these days.  Mia, on the other hand, wears her happiness all over her face.  If she is having a good time, everyone will know it.

I may have mentioned a few million times before that my family likes to eat.  A lot.  So, it was about eleven o'clock and we decide we need a snack.  "Not a big meal, just a snack," someone says.  And we all agree.  I wait outside with the kiddos while my mom, Aunty Jenny, and Katie go inside for a "snack."  They return with two cafeteria trays piled with food.  I wish I had taken a picture.  I believe there were sandwiches, burgers, fries, garlic fries, chicken nuggets, brownies, cookies, and probably a few other things.  Apparently, someone decided they were really, really hungry while inside.  And wouldn't you know it, we ate pretty much everything.  I guess we were hungry after all.

And of course, here are some pictures:

 Momma and the girls - this is how we roll.

I just want to say two things.

One, I swear our matchy-ness was unintentional and I didn't even notice it until I saw these pictures.

Two, could someone please remind me to take off my sunglasses for these pictures. 

I'm really not that cool.

Mia eating in the stroller.

She ate for two hours straight.

Mostly Cheerios.

Yes, two hours.  It kept her quiet.  And full.

 Checking out the jaguar.

Thanks to Diego, Laci knows all about jaguars.

Also, when the sign says, "Please don't tap on the glass"...

you probably shouldn't tap on the glass.

 

 See how much fun Laci is having in that blue car?

Oh wait, you don't see it?

That's okay, neither do I.

If you look really, really close, you might see a smile.

She liked this ride, even if she wasn't actually tall enough to ride it.

Laci didn't smile on this one either, but she did ask to ride it a second time later in the day.

Mia sat perfectly still with her big cousin and alternated between smiling and almost falling asleep.

And, if you can't tell by the almost smile on her face,

this was Laci's favorite part of the whole day.

Petting and feeding the goats.

And walking through the barn.

I think she could have spent hours in the barn with

the sheep, miniature horses, ponies, goats,

and the one cow that she refused to pet.

Several hours later, as we dragged our sweaty, sticky, tired bodies back across the park to the exit and to the parking lot, we remembered how peppy we felt that morning.  I was wishing for some of that pep as I loaded kids and strollers back into the car.  It was a good lesson in appreciating the quiet days at home, and appreciating the effort it takes to get out and do things.  And it was worth all the effort and sweat, in case you're wondering.

Overall, it was a really fun day.  It was even more special to be with family, and will remain one of the highlights of our summer trip to Aunty Jenny's.