Wild about the zoo

Ryan and I both took the day off on Friday to take the boys to the zoo before it gets too hot. They talk all the time about ehfants, tiders, affs (giraffes), muntees, heebos, zibbas, and yions, so I was so excited to see how they'd react to all the different animals.

We got there bright and early and one of the first things we saw was a rooster running across our path.   

{Reid L, Grant R}

The boys thought it was great and started "ta-doo-doooooo"ing as soon as they saw it. 

After scoping out a bunch of different birds, we headed over to the lions. The animals were cool, but I'm pretty sure the boys' favorite part of the whole day was all the different fences and rails to climb on.

{Reid and the lion}

{Grant and the lion}

Then we checked out these African cattle, which had the most enormous horns I have ever seen. As soon as they saw them, the boys started shouting "Hum- mum!!!" (Hook 'em), and my Longhorn heart grew three sizes. 

{Grant, Reid & Daddy watching the "Hum-mums"}

Next up were the elephants, which we smelled long before we saw them. R&G were on top of their game with their animal noises, waving their arms like trunks and making a sound like an elephant's trumpet. 

{Grant L, Reid R}

Then the komodo dragon:

{Reid L, Grant R}

And then (*shudder*), the reptile house: 

{albino alligator}

{monitor lizard... I think}

And lots and lots of snakes, frogs, and other lizards, which I was too grossed out to get pictures of.

From there, we checked out the monkeys:

{Monkey boys}

And then the tigers:

{Reid and Daddy watching the tigers}

At that point we headed over to the children's zoo, stopping at the giraffe exhibit on the way... but the boys had already spotted the carousel, so our time  with the giraffes was short-lived and full of whining to "Ride it, ride it, RIDE IT [the carousel]." So, ride it, we did. 

Reid was absolutely petrified. To his credit, he didn't flat-out cry, but he also had a death grip on my arm/hair/shirt/neck/whatever he could reach the entire time. Grant was all about it.

{Grant L, Reid R... if the look of fear wasn't enough to tip you off}

{Grant}

{Reid}

{Reid L, Grant R}

We actually rode it three times, but but the third time we gave Reid a little break and opted for a stationary bench:

Next on the agenda was the petting zoo, which was a little more Reid's speed.

 

{Reid L, Grant R}

Reid loved the goats (both he and Grant called them "seep") and couldn't get enough of petting, brushing, and mimicking them:

Grant had fun too, though he wasn't quite as enthusiastic as his brother. Truth be told, I think washing his hands in the giant trough afterward was his favorite part. (He's still talking about it -- he says "Seep, pet it, wash, hands.")

Then, of course, we had to make a stop at the playground for -- you guessed it -- more climbing!

{Grant L, Reid R}

{G}

{R}

{R}

{R}

{G}

Finally, it was time to head back home for naps, but there was one BIG thing still left on our agenda: the Hermann Park train! We had a little snack while Ryan bought the train tickets:

{Grant left, Reid right}

And then after just a few minutes of waiting in line, it was our turn.

{Daddy & Reid}

{Mommy & Grant}

{Grant L, Reid R}

We enjoyed the 15-minute ride around the park, and then sadly, our little zoo trip was complete. We're already to go back!