ZOO.

Last Friday was Daddy's day off and it was a beauty! Sunny and not overly hot, so we planned a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. It was Grammy's first day of summer vacation from school, so she and Papa Frank met up with us for a fun, fun day. The kids have enjoyed the zoo in the past, but this time they absolutely loved it. Especially Colin!

We didn't tell C&G that Grammy and Papa were meeting us (we've found it best to NOT share information ahead of time with the kids, keeps expectations LOW). So the kiddos were pretty tickled to see who was there to accompany us!

Ok, G doesn't look thrilled, but that's just how she rolls. Trust me, she was happy.

First up are the big cats. These are Daddy's favorite. He just has a big soft spot for lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and the like. They were mostly sleeping when we were there, but we stopped back on our way out the three tiger cubs were have a good wrestle then.



Nestled in the middle of the big cats is a flamingo exibit. I don't know why. I'm sure it makes sense to someone. Colin had been talking about the flamingos for a WEEK before we got to the zoo. He has a couple books with flamingos and would bring them to us and make us find the picture of the flamingo and then talk about it for 10 minutes. I have NO idea why.


Needless to say, Colin was VERY excited to see the mini-flock of flamingos! They were dancing, eating, standing on one leg, and even flapping their wings at us. Colin was just so thrilled. Thrilled enough to demonstrate his own one-leg-stand!



More crazy bird fun with this very curious ostrich!


The elephants were also pretty popular! The herd at our zoo has three young elephants; two were born the summer/fall of 2008 (I remember I was on bed-rest when they arrived) and one was born last summer, I think. The youngest one and an older sibling were out in the yard when we got there. The baby was drinking with his trunk. It was just pretty darn cute! When we went into the elephant house, one of the adult elephants was getting a bath, with the help of some carrot treats. The kiddos thought that was pretty funny, they are still talking about it!


Colin: Still smaller than a newborn elephant. For which his mother is very grateful.


The highlight of my day (besides watching the kids have fun) was Mr. Silverback Gorilla. He was just amazing. He was munching on celery and a head of lettuce. His expressions and movements were just SO human.

And, yes, he was sticking a stick up his nose.

The OTHER highlight of the day, for kids and adults, was this crazy peacock. The zoo has a couple free-roaming peacocks and peahens that just show up randomly where ever they want throughout the zoo. This one really liked the roof of the aquarium. Excuse me, the PPG Aquarium. He would spread out his tail feather and CROW. He thought he was HOT STUFF. Colin thought he was HILARIOUS.


As our day wound down, we made our way through the Kid's section of the zoo and snapped a quick picture on the tortoise. It's pretty much mandatory.


As we were headed out of the zoo, we came across the bottom portion of the sea lion exhibit. We had checked them out up top, but the kids weren't much impressed. However, when they pressed their faces against the viewing window and the sea lions buzzed by them underwater, they were very amused!

They were both laughing their heads off. Colin kept telling us "He KISSING me!" as the sea lion swam by. The big bull sea lion was just doing lap after lap and almost rubbing his belly up against the window. It was very funny!


Lastly, we hit the carousel. Daddy and I usually try to bypass the rides at the zoo. But, you know, Grammy was along to say yes! The kids were thrilled!


Colin and I picked a nice spotted horse. I was so relieved he liked to ride! Last summer he did NOT like rides.

Grammy and G picked a pretty black steed! And, as always, Gillian LOVED her ride!


Oh, where was Papa Frank??? Poor guy got stuck pushing the double stroller all day. I don't think he minded though.

So, fun times at the zoo! We got a family membership for the year, so we'll be going back again soon!