Although giraffes were certainly the highlight of our zoo visit, we saw a range of other animals there. The baby meerkat was cute:
But it was even more interesting watching the meerkats work together, with the sentinel keeping a close eye on all of the spectators. It’s an interesting feeling being watched as you watch:
Sydney was quite taken with this blue-eared pheasant, and he seemed to be adding to his “to have when we settle down” list of birds by the hour. Something tells me I won’t get to lead an ordinary Midwestern life (tidy lawn, kids walking to school, basketball in the driveway) if Sydney has anything to do with it.
We arrived at the pelicans’ home to find them clustered together and eagerly awaiting their dinner. The grey herons gathered, too, so that they could snatch anything the pelicans dropped. Watching the pelicans wiggle, toss, and stretch so as to help the fish slide down their throats apparently made an impression on Katherine. She told me all about it on our walk to nursery this morning–with actions!
Our last stop was at the penguins’ pen. They were, I think, the only ones in the zoo who didn’t find London a bit chilly that day.
On our walk home, Nathaniel let his no-nap personality ring throughout Regent’s Park, so Sydney did a lot of herding while I stood laughing. Katherine being Katherine, she decided to help.
Lest anyone wonder where such a sweet boy got his stubbornness:
Oops, off again:
Erin
Alan Schmierer
What a great outing! Isn’t it funny how parenthood makes us lose and regain our courage for such things… Some experiences are so traumatizing, but then you really have to get out to maintain sanity and plus, it is so sweet to share new things with your kids. 🙂
I think you’re right, Elizabeth: our courage comes in waves. It’s taken a bit of a beating recently (a failed outing to the fireworks last night, for example, after both kids acted up in the middle of a park filled with thousands of people!), but either stupidly or bravely, we keep giving these things a shot. Besides, how else would WE ever get to go to the zoo? And it really is one of the best things about having children, the chance to do and see all those things we never have time for as adults. So, for now, we pretend we’re doing them a favor and just drag them along so we can see and do. But, hey, we looked a lot more plausible than the families who were out with their three-month-olds babies. We had a better cover 🙂
I don’t know what you’re talking about… I made Mark go to the National Zoo with me in July! We didn’t borrow any children to look plausible either, we just went because I really like the Zoo 🙂
(Okay, Mark might have preferred if we’d borrowed some children, but I was totally unashamed!)
Well I’m glad you’re not lame like me and feel like you need a cover. I think the kids just help me justify the expense and the day off from work a bit more easily than I would otherwise!
These types of trips get better and better – and more and more fun, as the kids get older. What a wonderful outing for all of you!
Hahahahahahha I LOVE LOVE Sydney’s last picture. Well done Erin!
Lily and I enjoyed these! I can really see you in Nathaniel and Sydney in Katherine. Glad you had a fun day!