Zippin' Through The Zoo

We couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate Ben's birthday at the Dallas Zoo.
With some jackets and the warm sun, a January day outside was very refreshing.

And we found that the cost of going there 2 times we could buy a year pass.
You don't have to tell us twice. A year pass it is!!
(which pays for parking, bringing a friend & unlimited rides)
Plus it is something we can all enjoy.

Larry is so good at handling the older kids, while I follow with Keira and the stroller full of necessities.

And with in 10 mins of walking around the kids were already demanding a pit stop for snacks.
They are sitting on a beautiful metal bench shaped like a butterfly!

And we had to snap this photo opt of all 3 kids lovin' this turtle statue.

I think the kids could have stood here for hours.
Watching how this big elephant ate, played and walked around.
They were amazed.

We ended up playing this game of "I Spy" zoo-style.
At each cage we asked the kids what animal they could find.
And then, how many.
It worked like a charm. And kept them focused.

Larry calls this...Ben's next Halloween costume.
Elton John

It was such a peaceful day.
Larry and I were enjoying just walking around.
Talking and loving the company of each other and the kids.
Now this is a rarity, but a moment I'm grateful for!

Hopefully this summer the water tanks will be FULL of new fish.
But until then, this HUGE "goldfish" will have to do.

Besides having a Kids Club, letting you bring in your own food and a Children's Activity Place, this zoo has some great things for the kids to enjoy hands on. Like the petting zoo and feeding the animals.

I love how Sydney is getting so tall that her knees are touching the ground.

And...OF COURSE...Em is feeding the statue rocks from the ground.
Such an imagination.

And Ben...always focused some where else.
What a male!!!

But we can't forget the angel baby.
Who slept the whole time wrapped in a little cocoon of blankets.
Thank you little one!

And now for the carousel rides. I think we rode this about 5 or more times.
Switching animals on each turn.

And I loved that I wasn't prego and could actually enjoy going in circles.
And not throwing up.
It was exhilarating to play with the kids and not just be their parent.

And this one is for Larry. He enjoyed taking 20 pictures of me sitting on this poor gorilla.
If you look close enough, he looks as if his eyes are going to bug out of his head from pain.
Normally these photos would have been deleted immediately.
Oh well...incentive to loose more baby weight!

Happy 2nd birthday Ben!
Thanks for spending the day with us.