I Belong at the Zoo

We had a wonderful weekend in Chicago. We drove up on Thursday night for a gluten free ice cream social at the Whole Foods. While the food was tasty, it was a long wait ... difficult for a little boy. But we had fun nonetheless.

On Friday we got on the train early and headed to the Brookfield Zoo.

A train ride anywhere is a highlight. Owen loved everything, from arriving at the station, to boarding the train, to getting a seat on the second level, where he could see everything -- all the cars, trains, and houses we passed on our way.

In turn, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Nana enjoyed watching him. It was a great way to start the day.


We arrived in just in time for the zoo to open. Following a restroom visit, a necessity when you're wearing big boy pants! we hit the path and started seeing the animals.

GO OWEN!

We started in the pachyderm area. There was a wonderful pygmy hippo cooling himself in the mud. Owen could see it very well from my shoulders.


Inside was the elephant, who was having a snack and getting a shower.


Over the next two hours we visited many animals. We probably had the best time at the Australian area, where we saw kangaroos, a wombat (Mom and Dad's favorite), and some great bats.

Other highlights were a baby camel, the giraffes, and a lion.

... and the carousel.

Owen waited patiently for his turn on the ride. Our last activity of the day, we were all bushed and were pleased to sit and relax after lunch, before walking to the train and going home.



The animals on the carousel are beautiful. Owen had a lot of time to watch before he got on and pick out the creature he would ride. He was talking about the zebra a lot, and his favorite on our local carousel is a bunny, so it was a surprise when O boarded his praying mantis. Not the fuzziest or most lovey of the world's creatures, but a fun five minute ride nonetheless.


A quick trip to the gift shop and the potty, and then we were off ... with one quick pit stop. Maya had been eyeing the lions at the gates as we entered, so we gave her a chance to sit on one and took her picture.

She has excellent head and neck control for a four month old, don't you think?


The train ride back was just as fun. Owen looked out the windows, fondly remembering the pee he took into the bushes on the train station platform (their fault for not providing a place for a boy wearing big boy pants to go in a civilized fashion), and I zonked out holding baby Maya, no doubt tired from being her spotter.