National Zoo

I wanted to take the babies to the zoo last Spring Break, but Cliff thought they were too young to appreciate it. I also tried to plan a trip last summer, and that, too, was vetoed for one reason or another. I was beginning to think Cliff just didn't like the zoo. So, when we were discussing plans for this year's Spring Break, I went in fully prepared to defend a zoo trip! I got the kids on board! I asked them (with Cliff in the room) if they wanted to go to the zoo. They cooperated, and both said yes! Then, I asked them what animals they would see. In full cooperation, as though we had rehearsed (and we really hadn't, I was just as surprised as he was), they started naming animals- giraffe, elephants, monkeys, zebra.

Alas, four days we later, we arrived at the National Zoo.

Giraffe, Giraffe, where are you???!

While Cliff was parking the car, (the zoo lot was full by the time we arrived at 10:30 and it had only just opened at 10am) we ventured in and started our search for the animals Anabella and Daniel were most excited about seeing. The ones they had read about in Barney's Trip to the Zoo- the tall giraffe with long neck, the big elephants with floppy ears, the monkey who eats a banana and the black and white striped zebra.

A FONZ member (Friends of the National Zoo) heard me tell them I would try to find the giraffes and was nice to stop and explain that the giraffes are no longer at the zoo. They had to leave to make more room for the big elephants!

So, with Daddy back from finding a great parking spot, we RAN to the elephants. Daniel and Anabella ran, we held their hands and tried to push the stroller at the same time.

Elephants! Hurray, the elephants were big and had floppy ears! Just like we expected!

Daniel was as intrigued with the construction of the new elephant quarters as he was with the elephants (perhaps even more so). What is it about boys and bulldozers?

Monkey see, Monkey do, here we are on the way to see the monkeys!

Now, we didn't read about gorillas, but we explained that gorillas are just big monkeys. Daniel and Anabella just turned two, so this seemed to make good sense to them. Although gorilla is a lot harder for them to say. But it didn't matter, because all anyone could hear was the "no, no, no," "pop, pop, pop," they were yelling at the monkeys (a.k.a. gorillas) as they were eating a box! A box! Monkeys don't eat boxes, they eat bananas! No, no, no. Those gorillas need a pop, pop, pop. "Eat bananas" No, no, no!

After listening to Daniel and Anabella discipline the gorillas (a.k.a. monkeys), Cliff and I needed to re-fuel in order to keep up, so we looked for a quiet place to have lunch.

We soon found the perfect spot! Good thing we didn't have weak stomachs as there was something that looked very much like a pig rolling in mud just across the bridge from where we were seated peacefully eating our lunch. And, it was a peaceful lunch. Very secluded, if you don't count the pig rolling in mud just over the railing. It was quite comical. Every few minutes a group would come upon us and say, "Oh, look, at the pigs." heehee

Now, you know we didn't sit long!

This was one of the few places they really were able to RUN because the main route was too packed with visitors like us.

Visitors there to see the pandas! After all, isn't that what most people want to see at the National Zoo? (Except for Anabella and Daniel because it was not a part of their book on the zoo.) Do you see the pandas in the picture above? Look closely. See them?

We didn't either. Good thing that is not what we were really there to see. (Cliff and I were disappointed- I guess they were sleeping somewhere hidden from our view). Onward to the zebras!

Another view of the big elephants.

Fish were not on our agenda, but what a nice surprise! Goldfish! At the zoo! Forget the catfish that must have been hiding somewhere- they were thrilled to see the goldfish! I think we need to hit the National Acquarium next trip. Or, maybe a trip to PetSmart sometime soon. There's nothing better than seeing the world through the eyes of a 2-year old! Except, of course, seeing it through the eyes of two 2-year olds!! (and, no we do not need 2 pet goldfish!)

Next stop- zebras!

Zebras- striped black and white just like they were supposed to be!

Cougars were cool too!

We didn't stay at the zoo much longer after seeing the black and white striped zebras. We didn't need to because we had checked all the items on Daniel and Anabella's agenda for our day at the zoo. Set according to Barney Goes to the Zoo. Though we didn't see the tall giraffes with long necks, we did see cougars and, more importantly, goldfish.

Anabella and Daniel are just getting to the age where we are having conversations. Some of these conversations may not be comprehensible to a stranger on the street, but Mommy and Daddy understand them just fine. The zoo trip makes for a great conversation piece! Two things are usually mentioned by them- first the giraffes- the fact that there were "no giraffes" "giraffes gone". Next, we hear about the gorilla eating the box, which usually consists of "box, no,no,no." "eat bananas" and a good ol' "pop, pop, pop."

Like all parents, we want to remember these early conversations, although it's often hard, in the moment, to record them. I did, however, manage to capture one with Anabella. When we returned from the zoo, Anabella woke up when we got home, while we managed to carry Daniel, sound asleep, to his bed to finish his nap. Anabella was playing with her Leaptop, a birthday present from MaMa and PaPa, while eating her yogurt when I decided to get out the camera and try shooting a quick video- she was having such fun! Turns out, I managed to engage her in a conversation, about the zoo, nonetheless, while recording! This never happens- they always freeze when they see the camera.

FYI- I did understand our conversation, but I have no idea what she was telling me about the LeapTop. But, she sure did, and it sounds like it was pretty interesting stuff!