Zoo With Only Two!

 Last week, the three older children went off to camp.  They were excited,  we were excited for them and the "little kids" were excited to get rid of them!  Don't think that there is any malice between the "big" and "little" kids, it wasn't that at all.  It was all about time.  When you live in a family with 5 siblings, there is only so much time that Mama and Papa have to split between everybody.  Not that anyone gets neglected, not by any means.  This was just a special week that they got a larger portion of our time than they ever have in their lives.  Sooo, we capitalized on that week and made sure to fill it with lots of extra lovin' time!

 Our first adventure was to the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.  It's about an hour and a half away from home, but is a much better zoo than the closer alternative in Cincinnati.  Maybe someday when we feel like driving through the ghetto and praying for short stop lights we'll venture out to the Cincinnati zoo, but since they don't allow firearms in the Zoo, we opted for a more "secure" environment.  
As you can see, the trip produced lots of happy smiles.  A little train ride around the backside of the Zoo is always exciting for little ones, and a nice respite from walking for the older people.

One of my favorite parts of being at the zoo, is watching the looks of wonder, awe and amazement as the little ones see the animals.  This was Emily's first time at a zoo and really it was Titus' also.  Titus hasn't been to a zoo since he was a baby!  When we first told the two of them that we were taking them to the zoo, Emily had a funny reaction. It went like this...

 Emily:  "We're going inside the zoo?"  (in a very small, quiet voice...very uncharacteristic)

Mama: "Yes, we're going to go and see the animals there."

Emily:  "We ARE going inside the zoo?" (said with a look of great concern on her face)

**This was when I realized what she was really asking...

Mama: "We are going inside the zoo, but NOT inside the animal houses...we'll look at them through a fence or a window, into their home."  "Don't worry, you are not going IN with the animals."

Emily: "Oh, ohhh, right. (Eyes- blink, blink (processing) and then a HUGE smile.)

And then the excitement set in, and with her normal volume 43...

Emily: "TITUS!!!!  WE GET TO GO TO THE ZOO AND SEE ANIMALS IN THEIR HOMES!!! "

Emily & Titus:  Zoo! Zoo! Zoo!  Yahooooo!!

Lazy Tigers in the shade

Tropical fish zooming around and around.

Disgusting Pink Flamingos...or so says Emily.

Touching "stuff" in the Live Touch Tank

Our Mob, looking at a Mob of Kangaroos.

Since Brian's graduation had been the previous Friday, we still had special family visiting from out of town.  We had grandparents and "The Greats" (Brian's Aunt &Uncle) all with us for our fun trip to the zoo. No matter how old you are, going to the zoo is always interesting...animals, train rides, boat rides and all!

And here is my favorite evidence of a successful trip to the zoo!