Zoo Day

I refilled my Chomp jar this evening [chocolate makes almost everything better,] while just relaxing in my parent's living room, reflecting on our fun day at the zoo.  The kids are passed out in bed, my mom is half a sleep on the couch and my dad is getting caught up on work, so that he won't have to do it when the kids are awake.

All is well, we are just exhausted after today.

We spent the entire day at the Johannesburg Zoo today.  Walking along stone and wooden walkways, searching for animals and taking in some nature.  The kids were so busy, I don't think they stopped for longer then a few seconds and then they were ready to go again.

I felt pretty calm and present, even though the kids did make me sweat a couple of times, and I did have to get onto Ian, as well as Hayleigh a few times for not listening.  I was moved by the curiosity of the kids, even though it didn't last very long at each new animal, they were on the move.  I do love exposing them to some nature even though they are young and the interest only last a little while, small steps....

I am so happy my dad is able to keep up with the kids, and in my head he will always be 40.

It was a beautiful day, we were a little nervous at first since there was a 30% chance of rain for the morning, but it turned into a beautiful sunny day, not to warm but just comfortable,  I also noted all the beautiful signs of season changes, and how everything seems to start slowing down as autumn approaches.  It is a nice little zoo, but we were a little disappointed in the amount of animals that were in the inside cages and not visible, as well as the lack of care of the zoo grounds.  It wasn't detrimental, just a personal opinion.

The Pretoria zoo is a much better and nicer zoo,  it has a larger variety of animals, as well as an aquarium and reptile park.  How do I know this? Well see I am  sucker for zoos, I love going to zoo, and now that I have kids, I have the perfect excuse without having to look for some reasonable reason.  Whenever we travel we always try to do something for the kids, and most places have zoos, so we go.  Back to the point, I use to volunteer at the zoo all through high school, basically I was free labor.  But I loved it, nothing like cleaning animal enclosures for free.  I did love every minute of it, and I will do it all again.  Anyways that is how I know a lot about the Pretoria zoo, and also we usually visit that zoo when we come home, but we decided to try somewhere else, little sad that it wasn't that great.

Ian really didn't want to be in any pictures, this is a fit in the beginning stages  lol!

Even though we might have been a little disappointed, I really enjoyed watching the kids with my parents.  There is something about going to the zoo with grandparents, that makes it extra magical, and I loved watching every moment unfold before my eyes.  I especially have fun watching my dad with the kids and I am amazed  that he can keep up with them and carry t hem around without any hint of being older, and well being a grandparent.  I am pretty sure my dad will forever look and act like he is forty, how he has no gray hair is beyond me.  Ok moving along.

I am also happy to say that Ian's favourite part today, watching the hippos.  We probably sat there for about twenty minutes just watching two hippos play in the water.  Every time we would get ready to leave he would beg for more hippo, and more hippo is what he received.  He told us step by step every time the hippo came up from the water, went under, played, and smiled with it's crooked teeth.  I loved every minute of it, that's my boy instilling Africa in him is one of my dreams.  Of course for Hayleigh as well, but she is not really interested at the moment.

We  had such a nice little lunch at the zoo restaurant. I was so impressed with the food, and the kids did so great, probably because they were exhausted.  I am also happy to say that I am pretty sure we managed to remedy Ian's fear for bees and all flying things, well actually all bugs.  My dad had a Coke, and some how managed to trick a bee to fly into the empty bottle, he capped it, and Ian was so intrigued by this bee, he sat still for the entire duration of lunch.  I .really hope he will not scream like a little girl anymore, and I am really excited to go back to the food market tomorrow, and hopefully he won't be a hot mess.  My mom had a blast telling Ian about the bee and nature in general, she instilled that love for nature in me from a young age and I hope to do the same for my kids.

This melts my heart in a new way - I am so in love with this picture.

I am so grateful for a beautiful day, and some more memories with my parents.  I will forever cherish these moments with them and my kids.

I am so excited for our weekend adventures.

Happy Friday!