Tag Archives: Zoo

March 4th, 2018

Both kids seemed dubious that this shopping trip would indeed lead to the zoo. Dad also learned that you can’t hand a string cheese to Eleanor- she will find a way to bite/rip it open.

As Ella would say, “RAWW!”

The celebrated red panda was less than enthralling in person. Looked like an orange raccoon, didn’t do much.

With Eleanor learning the rule of holding hands, these two elicited multiple “aww’s” 

A peaceful photo, moments before Mr. Gorilla banged on the window and both kids jumping

Born January of last year, Kgosi is still small enough for the kids to refer to him as “baby gorilla”

Titled: Fries on the Serengeti, or how dad learned that an order of two fries at the African Grasslands restaurant is a significantly different portion than at the jungle. Not shown: other healthy foods like pouches, fruit and string cheese.

Upon entering entering the elephant complex, Eleanor began waving and saying, “HI! HI!” to the elephants 🙂

A budding photographer, documenting his play-doh work

Eleanor looking to brother for bath play inspiration

February 3rd, 2018

The aquarium provides a whole new experience for walkers. Eleanor was looking for a truly hands-on connection

Everyone searching for their personal penguin

Eleanor was generally oblivious to the giant sea turtle floating just overhead

The traditional tropical fish pose, now a walk-up destination

A new sibling experience as well

Chatting up the locals

With a portion of the railings on the jungle upper level under construction, there was a certain unfamiliarity and anxiety to walking clockwise

Our little monkey

“DAT!”

Starting with a sprint…

…eventually ended with a whiny surrender.

With the jungle restaurant unusually understocked, this non-hotdog-or-cheeseburger-eating group pursued extraordinary means. On the car ride west, mom wielded the immense power of child messaging: by introducing the word “meatball” to Desmond’s vernacular, he was compelled to repeat the word over and over to master pronunciation. Mom had effectively created a cheering squad that ultimately resulted in dad driving to Meatball, a newer-ish restaurant in the Blackstone neighborhood near home. Score one for mom.

Desmond showing surprising variety by requesting something other than Star Wars, though a mandatory “mix it up” edict has been recently established

October 1st, 2017

A rainy day trip to the zoo with grandma and Calvin

Grab all the fishies!

Mesmerized

Lunch with monkeys, everyone’s favorite

Started to dry up by mid-day, but it was getting close to nap time

It was the perfect windy afternoon to (belatedly) try out mom’s birthday kite

Des exploring the rose garden at Memorial Park. This may or may not have been while dad was driving home to get his grabber tool to retrieve some kite parts accidentally dropped into the storm drain.

Mom quickly learned that getting a kite off the ground with a baby carrier on was a non-starter. Dad gets it flying after a few sprints.

It’s mom’s kite after all, so gives it a go with Desmond giving chase

Desmond exercising his “outdoor voice”

Eleanor also gets into the kite-chasing fun

Quite the speedy crawler

August 27th, 2017

Watching the poor victims of little bunny foo-foo scurry about

Chasing penguins, trying get a mouth on one

Fishy glee

Still trying to figure out why she can’t touch anything

Finger-to-eel

Skyfari- the fastest way to see the new south end of the zoo. Saw the elephants running around below on the return trip

Driving the rover

The boys getting brave and petting the snake

Trying for the extra-long nap with dad for…

Ella’s nine-month photos, con cousins

After a long weekend and a good effort with photos, it was time for a treat

Wishing pa happy 60th on his birthday proper, Des demonstrates the prototypical toddler phone call. A patient pa, “I’m not sure what that conversation was about, but it sure was long.” 

July 30th, 2017

With mild weekend temperatures, it was a (surprisingly) perfect July morning for a more in-depth exploration of the new adventure trails area at the zoo. Des surveying the lay of the land

He needed a bit of encouragement, but Des quickly acclimated to climbing the rope tunnels high over the park. They even made it strong enough for parents too (there was one other dad traversing)

Peek-a… Ella!

Des had no reservations this time getting arm deep in the pool to pet the stingrays. They were hungry and seeking attention.

Eleanor had to get in on the splashing

Desmond communing with the peafowl


Eleanor’s first train ride

It took a moment at gorillas to see what all the commotion was about, but clearly everyone was excited to see this little guy. Kgosi was born this past winter.

Ella trying to pet the penguins 🙂

These two just stared at each other for a while

At this point Des usually sprints through the tunnel to go see the jellyfish 

After nap, it’s time to class up the neighborhood with “running through the sprinklers in our underwear” time

Sure, why not

Dry baby

Des sucking down his first root beer float

Des runs off his spare energy around the block with mom and max

Meanwhile it’s Ella and daddy splash time

July 4th, 2017

Despite the holiday, it was a good morning to go check out the new Adventure Trails children’s area at the zoo. The budgies got a new home-

Ever dubious of rope bridges

…and rafts, apparently.

At this end of the exhibit, there’s a raft that guest can help pull across the water by pulling along a large rope.

Don’t think his surroundings here really dawned on him?

“Honey, we shrunk the kid”

Eleanor happy to be inside cooling off

Desmond running with the penguins

Certainly the most animated trip to the aquarium for her

“Wait, why can’t I touch these?”

He kept insisting this was Dory and Nemo’s dad

Stingrays smiling at Eleanor

The two newest giraffes born at the zoo

Butterfly (flap flap flap)

Cave break.

It’s almost as if she doesn’t realize there’s monkeys behind her.

Flirting with, and escaping, the splash pad water spouts

Sister getting in on the mist action

Fireworks crew

Desmond’s first sparkler, think he’s a fan

April 8th, 2017

Started the nice weekend weather at the zoo, but decided to focus on a few areas not recently visited. Adventures in the Bell 47 helicopter and safari truck.

The vintage Land Rover in the foreground is real, as are the lions in the background.

Toddler happiness: eating french fries in the jungle and watching the monkeys.

“I want to be your personal (photo op) penguin”

Eleanor’s first trip to the aquarium where she was alert and tracking all the fishies.

Traditional jellyfish and tropical fish stops, now with more children

Sister loves her birdie

It was warm enough that Des could wear his short-sleeve, rocket pajama top. Apparently since the first appearance required a photo, each subsequent wearing starts with scurrying back to his dresser and requesting, “take picture!”

February 11th, 2017

After picking up Des from ma & pa’s house, the family ventures for a mild-February zoo outing with Grandma Anne

Dreaming of spring, Des helps dad add the potting soil to the seed starting trays