Life in a Zoo!

So last Saturday Mike and I picked up Annalise and Lauren early and headed to the Zoo in Jacksonville. I didn't know what to expect since I haven't ever been there but I was excited to go. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to get to Jacksonville from Tallahassee but we amused ourselves the whole time.

Annalise must have a one track mind and just wanted to get to the zoo to see the monkeys. Mike decided to stop to get some gas before we left town and she spoke her peace with a No ZOO! We told her we needed to get gas and Lauren and I jumped out of the car and grabbed breakfast at McD's. The funny thing is we turned off the street and into the zoo park only to hear... NO ZOO! We told her we were finally at the zoo and we were going to park and go in.

We rented a stroller for Annalise to ride in. Kathy and Devin have her well trained to get in and buckle up for the ride. Mike and I were able to un-train her and teach her how to get in and out at lightening speed and then to walk instead of ride. Awe yes the joys of not being the parent! Well Annalise doesn't walk she runs. I shared with Mike earlier a great buddy system plan I had come up with and how I would be buddies with Lauren and he would be buddies with Annalise. They seemed like a fitting pair. Worked for me at least. Annalise never ran too far away and really did quite well. She kept her buddy busy but he was having a great time. She loved the animals. She was a bit board with any animal until we finally came upon some monkeys she had waited so long to see. Lauren, Annalise and Mike fed a giraffe and I took pictures. Lauren was able to also feed a bird.

We saved the train ride for the last thing to do only to have Annalise last about 5 mins on it before she was sound asleep. I looked at Mike and he said, it's been a long time since I have done this. It was a very fun day. We both commented on how we never thought we would be at the zoo the whole day. We arrived about 10:00ish and left 15 mins before the park closed. We decided that somethings are more fun if you take kids with you. Mike and I were both bushed by the time we got home. I actually fell asleep in the car just outside Jacksonville. We are glad Annalise and Lauren came along for the ride.

As a side note- I had cortisone injections (Thanks Tom!)in my knee about 3 week ago and for the first time in years I didn't have knee pain as I walked. I didn't even notice that my knee was feeling great until the next day in the shower when I pondered on the events of the previous day. Yes it is a great thing to have medicine that will take away the pain!