April 22, 2012: The Minnesota Zoo

Often times, I like to think that we live in a zoo.  From the constant feeding times, to poopy diapers, to organized chaos, it can be somewhat comparable aside from the chain link fences that separate us from the rest of humanity.  Truthfully, we do not live in a zoo, nor did we buy a zoo - although the thought sometimes does seem intriguing.  Madeline after all wants to be a doctor when she grows up, so a veterinarian is pretty close.  And I digress, this morning we packed up our little and big babies to travel to the Minnesota Zoo for their farm babies exhibit.   

The following are some of our more candid snapshots from the day.





Of course we had to take this shot.  Minnesota Zoo is a long word, so the zoom was difficult to maneuver - hence why you can't the beaming smiles of Thing One and Thing Two.  If you look real close, you'll notice a foot in the lower left corner - that's mine.  I had to run out of the shot quickly while Jessica took the picture.  I'm happy to report that the girls didn't fall. 

Lucy is still getting "familiar" with slides, but Madeline was eager to bring her little sister down the slide.  Looks comfortable doesn't it?

There are always smiles in a play area - which not surprisingly, the girls didn't want to leave. 

Pure happiness in those eyes - or she seems a "cacha" which in english means cookie.  On a side note, Lucy's vocabulary is always improving.  She can say, 'Mommy sit down", "I want me Mommy", and "Jersey, down!" Soon, it will be "Daddy can I borrow $20."

Peace - if only for 7. seconds.  Lucy wanted no part of this family portrait with mom, but she did find the cow milk quite enjoyable.

Madeline tries to ride the little pig. She gets a lot of practice at home from either saddling up Jersey or her dad.  We are proud to report that no actual pigs were harmed during this stunt. 

Look, it's a hen laying eggs - that surprisingly look a lot like Madeline.

Not a "baaaaad" idea.  Let's pet and feed the billy goats.  Admittedly, this was the closest Lucy would get.  During most of the pen time with the goats, mom or dad were holding Lucy tight.

What's this?  A posed photo.  Precious. 

"Daddy, leopard's have long tails and smelly toots."

"Mommy, I'm boared" - pun intended here.

Yes, that is a grizzly bear behind Madeline.  And no, Madeline is not for lunch.  This was a really neat part of the trip though.  While we were there, the zoo keeper was dropping salmon down a spout to the bear behind Madeline.  The other Griz was hunting from land."

Growl.