Another great day

Friday was another one of those perfect days. It started out with a trip to the zoo. I took Isabella, Melanie, and Maddie (Isabella's best friend). It's especially fun when a friend comes along due to how Isabella lights up around her playmates. The fun started on the drive over. Isabella and Maddie were both in the back seat and this conversation started completely spontaneously -

Isabella - "I'm going to be a monster for Halloween."

Maddie - "I'm going to be a mermaid for Halloween."

Isabella - "I have the movie 'The Little Mermaid'."

Maddie - "I have that movie too. It's at my cousin's house."

Isabella - "I have a cousin named Travis."

Maddie - "I have lots of cousins."

Isabella - "I have 7 cousins!"

etc.

Then, later in the drive, we drove over a bridge. Maddie suddenly said "We are going over some water. We have to ROW!" Isabella and Maddie then proceeded to pretend to pretend to row while enthusiastically singing "Row, Row, Row the boat" over and over and over again. Kids are so silly and fun.

At the zoo Isabella and Maddie continued to delight in spending time together. They even held hands while we walked around.

First we went to see the Lions. I've been to the zoo about 20 times but this was my most up close and personal interaction with the king of the jungle himself. He looked right at me for a long time and I could tell he was thinking "food". Then he started roaring continuously for a while. After a few minutes of roaring Maddie said "I don't want to look at the lion any more. He's scary." I had to admit that was a healthy fear, so we moved on.

Next up was some time hanging with a peacock (they walk around freely at the zoo). Check this one out. So amazing! I've seen peacock's before but was newly impressed with their incredible beauty. Wow.

We then went to see the monkeys. Near the live monkeys was a monkey sculpture that the kids could climb on. Maddie looked right at one of the fake monkeys and said (very seriously) "I'm a zookeeper and I will take care of you."

After the monkeys I asked Isabella and Maddie what they wanted to see next. They said "Lets look at the map", studied it together, and decided where we would go. So grown up!!!

Next up - the hippos (both real and bronze).

And of course, no trip to the zoo is complete without a ride on the historic carousel.

On Melanie's end, she was happy as long as she could cuddle up to her mom in the baby carrier. I like cuddling with her too.


All in all, another fun day at the zoo. Yay for motherhood!!!