First Trip to the Zoo!

A family at the Ronald McDonald House told us that the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore was one that if it is free, of course go, but if you have to pay, it is not worth it.  Chris and I figured that we wanted to go since Jack had never been to a zoo.  Saturday was a beautiful day so we got the kids all packed and ready and set off for a zoo adventure. 

Some very nice old man agreed to take our picture!

In case you are wondering, it was just too darn hot for Jack's helmet. 

Dad and Jack trying to arouse the sleeping Cheetah!

It did not work.

Trying out the saddles in the petting zoo.

Savannah and Jack did very well in the stroller for about three hours of walking. We stopped for lemonade and ice cream and they both were in heaven! Way too much sugar that's for sure!

Riding the camel was fun but kinda scary. I had a death grip on Jack and the side handrail.

Afterwards we both smelled like camel.  Yuck.

The giraffes were cool. One actually moved while we were watching unlike most of the other animals.  I do feel bad for the animals because I feel like they are not meant to be in captivity.  I wouldn't move much either if I was trapped in a zoo.

Savannah has a way of smiling all the time, charming everyone she sees and no one really knows her "dark" side except for me, Chris and Jack.  How long can she keep up the charade?

The polar bear walked away as soon as she saw people.

So did the tortoise. 

Jack liked the zebras.  We were bummed the lion and tiger exhibit was closed due to renovations.  The monkey exhibit was also disappointing because they were all sleeping in the trees and we couldn't see any of them.

Jack thought the word "rhino" was funny so he kept laughing as we said it.  If you think about it, "rhino" is a funny word.

Jack also liked the penguins because they were fighting over the fish as the zoo keeper threw them into the water.

When we got back from the zoo and walked into the house we could feel it was hotter inside than it was outside.  We went up to our room and the thermostat said 88 degrees.  Apparently the air conditioning was broken.  We fed the kids a quick lunch and tried to get them to take naps.  Jack fell asleep for about an hour but Savannah didn't sleep at all.  She just screamed until her little face was so red and sweaty we decided to forget about naps and go outside where it was actually cooler than inside.

Jack loved the special swings they have in the backyard of the house.

Savannah is my little sumo wrestler baby, either that or the Michelin Man.

Jack finally got to play basketball.  He asks every night and every naptime about a hundred times, "Mom, basketball?" And I gently and patiently explain about ninety-nine times, "no Jack, its time to go to sleep, no basketball." Then he says, "Mom, mow?"  "no Jack, its not time to mow the lawn, it is time to go to sleep."  This exchange happens seriously about thirty times until he goes to sleep. I get slightly less patient and less sweet as the talking continues until 1:30 in the afternoon and 10:00 at night.  Tomorrow Chris has a wakeup call, because tomorrow he becomes the one who gets to sleep with Jack and feel that cast thump you about ten times per night and his little feet squeeze their way well past his half of the bed. 

After playing outside we decided we could not stay inside the house for dinner and went to Chilis to eat.  When we returned the room was at 74 degrees and the air conditioning had been fixed!