Friday we all went to the zoo. The weather was nice and no schools were on Spring Break yet, so it was a perfect time to go.

I love you, giraffeys.

I loved watching him tiptoe up to try and see the lions.

Benji was happy the whole time we were there. All he needed was his paci and bag of fruit puffs to hold onto.

Check out the lips of concentration.

She didn't want to leave these logs.

Hee hee, getting bigger!

Love the tummy.

They really liked watching the gorillas eat. I liked seeing my two monkeys on the other side of the glass.

This tiger was growling and roaring and making me nervous. I was pretty sure that was the day he was going to learn how to climb chain link fencing.

Anna was most interested in this goose who was building her nest up on top of the tiger enclosure. Here she seems to be thinking, "Say what?! I'm on top of the TIGER cage?!". Reminds me of Jemima Puddleduck and the foxy gentleman.

Hee! I love his face here!

They played on these rocks for a really long time. It used to make me so nervous when they would do this, but it doesn't bother me now that they're older and a little more sure footed. Now, next year when Ben tries to climb up there? That will be a different story.

After a while the kids all seemed to walk about as fast as this guy, so we decided to head home.

With just a can of pumpkin, flour, and water, the dough was super sticky. Most of the girls did NOT like getting dirty, but there was giggling all around. They did have fun with the little bone shaped cookie cutters and adding their bones to the pan. I joined some of the other moms in a hand washing rotation at the one sink available. One kept the water going, one scrubbed little hands, and one helped dry.

After they put the dog bones in the oven we headed upstairs to meet some of the animals. They let 2-4 kids go in a room at a time. I stayed with Anna's group, and it's a good thing because she did not react the way I thought she would!

Here you can see her asking over and over to please let's just open the door now. Please let's just go, okay?

The next room was a visit with this sweet doggie named Ruby. She just wanted belly rubs the whole time. As you can see, Anna was pressed up against the wall and not in the picture. She wasn't afraid at all, just kind of nervous and ready to get out of there.

She was much happier looking in the cat cages with her friend Samantha.

And the big cat cages in the lobby were a hit too. There was a seperate cat room that Anna went in with another mom, but I chose to stay in the hallway. I wasn't interested in sneezing for the next hour.

Back downstairs they had cake, watched the birthday girl open gifts, and got little take out bags of the dog treats they made. Just before this group shot they did a silly face picture, and you can see some of the kids didn't realize we had moved on to normal faces.  ;) That puppy on Sophie's lap (in the middle, grey shirt) was adopted a few days later by her classmate Grace, sitting behind Anna in the navy shirt. Yay for adopted doggies! I bet every birthday party results in at least one adoption. 

As we left Anna wanted to go back into the cat room, but she settled for just posing by the door.

It was a really cute party and now Anna is having a tough time deciding if she wants a friend party there, or at the bounce house place. I'm just glad we got out of there without her asking to bring home a cat!