The Littlest Zookeeper

Communicating with... er, growling at... your furry friends.

This Saturday (which happened to be 2 years to the day that we found out we were expecting a baby!... I remember that like it just happened!) we woke up with no big plans. I was supposed to have had a photo session, but the client had to cancel due to a health issue, so we suddenly had a completely free day ahead of us.

As we drank our coffee (and our big boy milk) we schemed about what to do. As soon as we said it, it was decided... THE ZOO!

It was supposed to be 60 degrees out and cloudy, but as we approached Philly (an easy one hour ride) the sun started peeking through. We had the most perfect family day.

William, you LOVED the animals. You liked the zoo when you were littler, in Austin last Summer, but now you know the sounds of the animals, can identify them, etc. It was a blast (for Mommy and Daddy too)!

We saw monkeys, a giraffe, lions, tigers, cheetahs, snakes and huge tortoises (you really liked them), gorillas, antelope, penguins... and of all these exciting animals, I kid you not, the things you loved the most were the geese that weren't even real zoo residents, but landed and waddled around begging the guests for bread crumbs. You went absolutely berserk for the geese. You chased them, shrieked, yelled "Duh! DUHHH!" (you thought they were ducks) clapped, and ran. We don't have photos of it because Mommy was too afraid that you were going to get attacked! Everyone survived though (geese included), and you had a great time.

We had lunch together, stopped for snacks, and happily explored the zoo for hours. You took turns riding in the stroller, the backpack with Daddy, or walking around. One of the last exhibits was your favorite - the BEARS! You excitedly "roared" at the polar bears, pointed out their beach balls in the water, and would probably have stayed there all day. We thought that nothing could top that for you, until we came to the black bear, who was sleeping right up against the glass. You were literally one inch from him - he probably weighed 100x what you do, but he was so soft and big just laying there breathing peacefully. You were in awe. You looked like such a toddler standing at the railing, STARING at the bear. Sometimes when I catch a glimpse of you I do a double-take, or catch my breath.

You look like a little boy.

...a very sweet little boy.

Checking out Mr. Bear.

All tuckered out on the car ride home. What a day!