The Zoo

My friend Kara and I have taken our kids to the zoo every summer since they were a year old. So this was our 4th Annual Zoo Excursion. Last summer we were both pregnant and I was about to pop - just a couple weeks from my due date. This time around we were outnumbered and it was a crazy day. We joked on the way home that maybe next year we'll leave the kids with a baby-sitter and just go to the zoo kidless!

Here are a few highlights from Zoo Excursion 2009:

I was late (big surprise!) to pick up Kara and her boys. Despite my best laid plans there are always unforseen delays! Frustrating!

Traffic on the Interstate was down to one lane for several miles which resulted in coming to a complete stop. Not ideal with four children in the car.

One of the children had an accident in the car so we made a pit stop at Target for new unders and shorts.

Because we got to the zoo later than planned (see above) we weren't able to spend very much time at the actual zoo. The kids were getting so hungry and a meltdown was imminent.

We ate lunch at a diner where our tired, hot, wound-up kids caused us to be "those people". There were numerous eyebrows raised at the behavior of our children. And I renewed my vow to never judge a mother whose kids aren't acting like angels.

The big kids played the quiet game on the ride home with some encouragement from the moms. It resulted in a fight (and tears) between Lily and Nathan over whether or not coughing causes you to lose.

We had to make a short stop again on the ride home to change Nicholas' 4th poopy diaper of the day. That poor little guy is on antibiotics and he's pooping like crazy.

Kara and I just had to laugh at our misadventures. Despite the chaos we really did have fun and hope to do it again next year!

Lily checking out the fish

That CUTE baby giraffe was looking right at them!

T crawling around the butterfly habitat

Precious baby

p.s. my baby turns 1 tomorrow!