As you can tell, we went to the zoo yesterday.

Mike took the week off, just to get some things done around the house, hang out with the family, maybe even go on a date with his wife. Yesterday was the first opportunity to go somewhere.

Grace and Sam wanted to see the flamingos and crocodiles, so that was our first stop. It was still cool when we arrived, so the birds were very vocal and active. The ducks sharing the flamingos' water kept launching over Miracle's head and grouching at everyone. We were concerned about one particular flamingo as he stood with his neck limp and his head dangling towards the ground. It was rather disconcerting to see.

The crocs were just laying in the water on our first pass. On the way back through, however, one was laying on the ground, directly in front of the observation area. His eyes were open, and I think he viewed my children as tasty treats. He bored of us, however, and we actually go to see him move. He turned away from us and moved towards the water. Mike remarked of his deceptive slowness.

Grace and Sam rode the carousel for the very first time. Grace was apprehensive, so we put her in the middle, and she held Miracle's hand. Sam grinned like a loon the entire time and each time he saw his dad yelled, "Hi Daddy!" They all wanted to ride again.

The gorillas were quite active as well. One repeatedly slapped the glass, making the children on the other side squeal delightedly. Inside, one was fascinated by a man observing him. The gorilla approached him, and the man put his hand on the glass. The gorilla returned the gesture, and looked intently at the man, moving his hand to various parts of the man's face. Grace and Sam were surprised to see a gorilla eating popcorn.

Our last stop was the elephants. Thankfully there were some outside as I really couldn't face the smell of inside accommodations. There were, I think, four of them standing outside in plain sight. Well, except for Sam. He claimed he could not see them.

"Do you see them?"
"No, I don't see them."
"Are your eyes open? Do you have eyes?"
"No, I don't have eyes."

So we left, tired and hungry, with an eye-less little boy.