Trip to the Zoo

I didn't know what to expect from a February trip to the Omaha zoo, but it was awesome. First of all, the weather cooperated. There was no wind and all the exhibits were indoors. Second, there was no crowd whatsoever. We were practically the only people there.

The kids had so much fun. Honestly, they have more fun going to this zoo than anything else. Their little faces light up at every turn. Even my big guy, Caden. And he is hard to impress these days. Trust me.

We ate lunch at a cafe overlooking the rain forest  The kids got a kick out of watching a family of gibbons in the background while they ate. 

Here they are inside the jungle. Caden loved the rope bridge. Ali was scared, but she did it anyway!

Ali made jungle noises the entire time. Funny girl. Oh, did I mention my mom went with? Hi, Mom.

Okay, I know this isn't the greatest picture., but Ali was having a conversation with this bird. See it? On the right. Hint: it's bright red. They squawked at each other a few times. Little did she know this wasn't the only personal encounter she'd have with an animal today.

Next, we headed to the aquarium.

Starfish? Where are the sharks? :)

Chloe loved the penguins. She'd just finished a penguin unit at school that week, so the timing worked out nice. Love that look on her face!

Now, even though the shark tunnel gives me the heebie-jeebies it is still pretty cool. It's like walking on the ocean floor with sharks, sea turtles, Flounder and Ariel swimming all around and above you. Except for the part about Flounder and Ariel anyway.

Caden and his non-stop peace signs. Sigh. 

Ha! Ali's face is priceless!

Jellyfish are weird.

Here is Caden in front of the gorilla sanctuary. In case you didn't know, he is stronger than a gorilla. He told me so.

I thought this was neat. How often can you get thisclose to a gorilla? And thennnnnnn it picked it's nose and ate it. Kinda ruined it for me, but whatever.

Speaking of close encounters, we headed over to the lion's den next. Yikes.

Yeah. That's not Kiki.

You can imagine the giggles!

So, the kids were having the time of their lives antagonizing the lion. No big deal. It's just 800 pounds of man-eating jungle-cat. There's just (what looks to me like) a thin sheet of glass between my precious children and The King of Beasts. Whatever.

I was having heart palpitations. 

Whew. Exhausting and intense. I guess we'll go again :)