If you have been reading my blog for a few years then you know that my friend Erin and I have a tradition of taking our little ones to the zoo during our Spring Break. It is something we started the first year they were born...and we LOVE it. It really is one my favorite traditions that we have. It is always so funny to see how much Landry and Amy have changed and each year we are faced with new "obstacles."
This year it was the Grumpster.
Landry was g-r-u-m-p-y...he woke up that way and for some reason...
not even the zoo could cheer him up.
Of course our first stop was...
Oh how this little boy LOVES the elephants. He only asked to go back and see them about 5,693 times this morning. :)
Future husband and wife...
Next up was the monkeys. This year Landry let me get a picture of him next to the wooden orangatang.
But he wouldn't let me get one of he and Amy together. Did I mention that he was grumpy?
Then it was on to see the giraffes...
Which led to this...
Yes, their snack is on the ground. Yes, it was delicious chocolate drizzled caramel corn. Yes, they both loved it. No, we didn't fight it. Did I mention that he was grumpy?
After the yummy snack...it was time to check out the most exciting animal at the zoo...the alligator! I'm not sure why...but Landry LOVES the alligator as well.
If you have been to our zoo you know that the alligator is one of the least exciting animals. Ever. For awhile I really thought it was a hoax. It never moves. It is almost always in the same place. It does nothing. We have seen it get in the water once...that is the only proof that it is actually alive. :)
Now you are about to witness something historical.
There are moments as a mom, when your child does something, and you are so excited on the inside that you are about to explode, but you keep really calm because you know at any time the moment could be over...I had one today...at Sting Ray Bay.
In the past Landry has been terrified of the sting rays. Amy LOVES them! She would jump in and swim with them if she could. Landry...not so much. He always made me hold him and if I made one move near the water, the "spider monkey cling" went into effect. Not this year!
My little man actually laid down, got close to the water, and...
PUT HIS HAND IN THE WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you see that? Hand. in. the. water!!!!!!!!!
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was so proud of him and so excited to see him actually putting his hand in the water. It was so awesome. It also made me a little bit sad because it was just another reminder of how much he is growing up.
Since we were feeling so brave...and because it was feeding time...we headed back to the giraffes so that we could feed them!
Amy and Erin...feeding them like pros!
Doesn't Erin have the cutest baby bump ever?
Landry and me feeding them
Landry was a bit nervous at first but then decided that he could give the leaves to the giraffe.
Next stop...flamingos!
Then it was time for my favorite...Sea Lion Cove!
One part of Sea Lion Cove is a large, beachy, amphitheater area with a lot of stairs and rocks. Amy was all over the stairs and rocks. After some coaxing...Mr. Adventure decided he would climb as well!
They made it!
Amy fell in love with the pelican...and tried to take it for a ride! :)
Finally...the sea lions!
This next series of pics pretty much sums up our morning. It was a bit of a task to get both kiddos willing to take a picture...together...looking at the camera. If one was willing...the other one...not so much. Erin and I tried so hard to get a cute pic of them lounging in their chairs...or on one chair...and this is what we got...
The Grumpster was not having the "one chair" shot...then they both rebelled against the "two chair shot."
Kiddos...you won...this time! :)
Landry decided that he wanted to push the stroller...and Amy decided that she wanted to be in it...
He ran her right into a trash can! Such a gentleman!
After all of this...Erin and I were still all smiles...because what can you do...just smile and laugh about it...
Erin and Amy...we so love our annual, Spring Beak zoo trip! Thank you for being so kind and patient with the Grumpster today. As always...it was a ton of fun...and we can't wait for next year!
As if this post isn't long enough...you know I can't stop without going on a trip down memory lane...
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
It makes me sad...but I think it is time to admit...that we don't have babies anymore...
they are full on KIDS!!!!
