What makes getting up at school-day times worth it on holiday break? When pulling into the zoo for Penguins and Pancakes, and asking Des what we’re going to do, he shouts, “PENGUINS!”
The first time mom and dad went a few years back, they borrowed cousin Liam for their child stand-in. Lesson learned, the magic move this year was still getting the picture with the African Penguin while the line is short, then grab pancakes later.
After a stack of cakes and a few craft projects later, it was time to explore the aquarium. Another unexpected benefit was getting early access before gates opened, with very few people around.
Des had the jellyfish exhibit all to himself.
He rarely spends more than a fleeting moment at this display, but Des was entranced this time. No one quite knows the reason. Perhaps it was watching Finding Nemo and Finding Dory recently. It could be, perhaps, it was just the pancake coma settling in. But, whatever the reason, the movies or his pancakes, he stood there on this morning watching the fish.
Excited about more penguins (!)
Des doesn’t always stand still long enough for the traditional tropical fish portrait, but he kindly obliged this morning.
Look closely…
Spotted the baby Gibbon born last October
“I can get it. I can almost reach it, Dad…”
The boys happily exploring the jungle floor trail
Desmond trying out the new training chopsticks that Santa brought him (on the best pad thai in Omaha)
Practicing the slurp
