Zoo Mania

Yesterday Jairus had a zoo field trip with all the kindergarteners.  Brian was able to go with him.  I wanted to go and take Zach and Silas.  The problem was Tali.  I didn't want to leave her out if everyone in our family was going except for her.  On the other hand, because she is a runner and can be very difficult, I contemplated leaving her at school to make it a little easier.

We ultimately decided to take her because we didn't want to go somewhere fun as a family and leave her out.  We did however, tell them exactly what kind of behavior we excpected from them before we left.

The day started off great.  When we first got there, we decided as a family to buy zoo passes for something to do this summer.  We saw a lot of animals and took some fun pictures before lunch.

The other kid with us is one of Jairus's friends from class.

Ha!  I love this one.  Jairus just looks like he's kickin' back reading a magazine or something.

I tried to get some pictures of Silas and me because it was his first time ever going to the zoo. We love the elephants.

The rhinos are pretty cool, but this is pretty much what they do every time we come.

   

Zach found this snake pretty fascinating.

Then came lunch time....

Poor little Silas was so tired.  Ironically, he didn't sleep long.

Me and Brian just chillin' at lunch.  Awe!  So cute.

I love this man!

Our cute little Jair Bear.  We were supposed to be "growling"

The kids started to get a little restless, Brian and I decided to split up.  Tali wanted to see the wolves so we went on a search for them.  Along our quest to find these wolves, she found this and wanted a picture.

We eventually found her "pack."

After seeing the wolves, we went to see my favorite, the orangutans and gorillas.  

This was the cute little baby orangutan.

For some reason I love seeing the gorillas.  When I was a young child I remember being so fascinated by them.  They were indoor at the time and I had pressed my hands to the glass and the gorilla came up and pounded his two fists against the glass. It had scared me so bad, it knocked me on my butt.  Everyone had laughed at me.  It was an experience I'll never forget.

Shortly after seeing the gorillas, things went downhill.  Tali had gotten in line to ride the carousel.  Brian and I had told her repeatedly that we weren't riding the train or the carousel because it would be unfair to Jairus and the other kids at his school.  We told them we may be able to come back another day and ride them since we had passes.  She stood in line anyway so Jairus of course followed.  Brian pulled Jairus up out of line and he of course threw a fit.  I got after Tali for doing that when we had repeatedly told her before and told her we were done for the day and were leaving.  That was when she ran.  I couldn't chase after her with Silas strapped to me and Zach in tow in the stroller.  I waited a few minutes for her to come back which she usually does, but didn't this time.  I went to look for her and couldn't find her.  I started to get a little panicked.  I was really regretting bringing her and even buying passes at this point.  We ended up contacting the zoo security who quickly found her with Brian.  Apparently she had run off to go to the main gates of the zoo.  

Needless to say, going anywhere with my children gives me much anxiety.  I don't know that we will be able to do much traveling or fun outings after this experience.