We headed out to the zoo on Friday after a week of standardized testing, obligations, and a handful of appointments.
We were sad that Duff and Maddie couldn’t join us, but they apparently had more important things to do. 
We didn’t have to be anywhere at any certain time. We left when we were ready and came home when we were done.
It felt positively wonderful to be free from any schedule or time frame. <deep sigh>
Just a happy-go-lucky day with my children creating memories. I had been looking forward to it for days.
We planned our visit ahead so we could get in FREE as a NC homeschool! Nothing beats that!
I brought this monkey to visit the chimpanzees…
My little minion and Kendall became fast friends.
They developed an immediate rapport. Each studying the other ever-so-intently. It was one of my favorite moments.
Every single sculpture and rock begged to be climbed on, screaming ‘photo op’!
I did my best to take advantage of all the little posers.
Of course my good camera decided to find an amazing hiding spot in the van, and I only discovered his whereabouts upon returning home.
My iPhone would have to suffice.
Logan wanted to see the lions more than anything this time. He was pretty disappointed when he discovered them taking a serious nap.
On the upside, we got to visit the lemurs and they were quite entertaining. (Sorry, Nana, no meerkats.)
This boy.
He was carrying a new stick every time I turned around.
I mean you’ve got to admit he looks tough and all, but he was a threat to all stroller moms and their precious cargo.
I was forced to disarm him repeatedly.
They enjoyed each habitat they visited.
I think the animals were exceptionally active on this day because of the fantastic weather.
My little people hopped on these elephant statues and screamed “cheese”.
I never take this smile for granted…
The bus ride to North America was a huge hit.
I guess it’s pretty much every child’s dream to ride a bus.
The mountain lion cubs were just adorable.
There were three of them. One was snoozing on his back right beside the glass. The kids loved seeing those giant kitty paws.
We found another rock to scale…
only one little minion wasn’t very successful in his attempts.
Not to worry.
He jumped up on this little stump instead and demanded I take his pic.
I was only too happy to oblige,
when he pierced right through this momma’s heart with those baby blue eyes.
Gavin was our fearless leader. He kept us moving forward, ensuring we visited every last animal before departure time.
Makinley hopped, skipped, and jumped her way along the meandering paths. I was shocked to learn that the red river hogs were her favorite “because they dig in the dirt”. She dreamed of riding the tram that passed through the zoo all day long. I promised we would take it back to the parking lot at the end of our visit.
The seals torpedoed pass this glass window at regular intervals causing many delighted screams to erupt.
I discovered these three little polar bears hiding out in a cave.
Then we met Patches.
She was bashful yet playful, and definitely seemed younger than her 26 years.
We learned that the NC Zoo is planning to have 4 more polar bears by the end of the summer. (Aunt Nancy, You better plan your trip accordingly. 
)
We stopped by the playground and let the youngers climb and slide for a bit.
Logan never wanted to leave. He was having so much fun on the leaf slide.
We forced him onward and the otters were enjoyed by all.
They were frolicking about on this log…
and then plunged into the water to impress us with their underwater maneuvers.
The bison.
Every year we climb upon his back.
It’s tradition.
Normally we visit the zoo when temperatures are warmer and my children dream of drowning themselves in the geyser.
This year they seemed content watching it soar.
Even Mr. Grizzly was feeling frisky enough to climb around and entertain us.
We covered every square inch of that zoo.
No rock was left unvisited.
No picture was left untaken.
Our weary legs finally led us back to the tram station where we discovered soft serve ice cream.
There was no passing it by.
Everything about that delightful spring day screamed for ice cream,
and we enjoyed it ever-so-much.
Then it was onward to the tram. Makinley was beside herself with excitement…
Until I discovered we were in the wrong line and missed the final tram to Africa.
Oh, she was heart broken.
She begged me to bring her back tomorrow.
“Not tomorrow,” I said,
“but perhaps sometime soon.”
