On Saturday morning Emily was SO excited to wake up and realize it was FINALLY zoo day!! She has been looking forward to going to the zoo for over a month - really. She told us all of the animals she was going to see... including lions.
Once she was ready, she was held captive/kept clean (hotel rooms, ick) in her bed watching a little TV.
Before long (by 7AM) we were at the zoo and ready to get things started. We had signed up to do a 5k fundraising walk at the zoo with all of the money going to the elephants. It didn't take but a minute for Emily to spot the crazy guy who didn't belong... 
she really kept her eye on him...
but Grandpa didn't - SURPRISE!
No worries, Grandpa was able to keep his head and we set off on our walk...
Emily was happy to bid farewell to Grandpa's friend along the way.
If you haven't ever been to the zoo with us when we want to keep Emily in the stroller, you can get a glimpse here. There is some lifting involved.
In support of the elephants I thought I would pass along a few fun facts...
As we were ending our walk we passed this man walking along. It didn't take long to figure out he was going to feed the birds and ducks because they started swarming - flying around or swimming over to where they knew he would end up. Those birds were EXCITED about breakfast!
I am so sad that I don't have a picture of us crossing the finish line. Emily actually rode under the crazy guy's stilted legs - being the first to cross in our group. There was no screaming involved but when I asked her to do it again for a picture she was very clear that once was ENOUGH. Luckily, she felt a little differently about Matilda.
Matilda is a koala like this guy. Awww.
The walk was a lot of fun and we hope the elephants enjoy great luxuries with all of the money raised. ;) It was nice to be inside the zoo before it was too busy and see the animals just starting their day. After the walk we went by the car to unload some things and prep for the rest of our day at the zoo...
What a fun AND educational post! I do love how you show Emily the animals without removing her from the stroller. I am so with you on keeping the 2 years old contained as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun start to your trip! I have always gotten a kick out of you lifting up that stroller - glad you got some help this time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great morning at the zoo! And I love Emily's jacket...think she'd let me borrow it?
ReplyDeleteTricia
What a fun time at the zoo! Love the first elephant fact, thanks for sharing! :) I agree, you guys are great parents for lifting her in the stroller, I just point things out to the kids and they end up getting a great view of the fence :).
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask if that weird guy was on stilts...you know that creeps me out....
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip!! Hotels creep me out too. And that scary looking friend of Grandpa's would have scared bot Sophia and I. Great pics and it looked like y'all really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun-filled and eucational day at the zoo!
ReplyDeleteHow nice of all of you to give something back to the zoo in anticipation of a wonderful day! Love it! Can't wait to see what the rest of the day was like...
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