The ZOO, part 2

I couldn't get these photos uploaded on the other post.  Finally figured out why: John was signed in to his google email, which derailed my attempts.  So, anyways, here is the rest of the Zoo trip.

Luci and Kenzi on the carousel

Luci and Kenzi holding hands (yes, Kenzi's mom and I both took strollers...it's easier than listening to the girls whine...whine...whine about all the walking.  Now, if we could just get the mommies to quit whining....)

Kenzi, Luci and Mamie (and an unnamed boy) watching the Penguins as they eat their lunch.

The Three Amigos

Tiger watching.  These tigers just seemed too close for us mommies to feel comfortable.

On the way home...she was out like a light before we got to the Mississippi line!  163 miles home, and she slept for about 145 of them.

This is not from the field trip.  We had to make a milk run early Saturday.  So happy to go to Piggly Wiggly!  She has an outfit for every occasion.   (As a side note, that little Prius did very well in the gas department!  We had driven 100 miles before starting this trip.  Then 326 miles round-trip to the zoo, and we still had 75 miles left on the meter.  We got 8 gallons of gas after our trip to the Pig.  Happy with that!!)

I did not want to take my big camera on the zoo trip.  I'm glad I left it at home.  These photos (and those from ZOO part 1) were taken with my cell phone.  It's not a smart phone, has a little camera, but I think it did just fine for the daylight photos I took.  If you disagree, it's not necessary to let me know.  :)

The ZOO part 1

This week's Fun Friday activity with our homeschool group was a trip to the Memphis Zoo.  It is a gorgeous zoo.

On the way there, Luci made a "must-see" list.  A girl after my own pre-planning heart.

Hippos

Watching the monkeys

in China!

Ya Ya the female panda

Luci showing off her panda doll to Le Le, the male panda

Homeschool Convention, Here We Come!

I am getting almost giddy about this weekend...

a trip to Memphis for a huge homeschool convention! The Midsouth Homeschool Convention, to be exact (button on the right).

Can you say BOOK SALE??

WOW.

John probably is hoping I'll leave the credit card at home. (He's allowed to hope!)

Luci and I will be making it a girls' weekend.  John's staying home with the boys, keeping them on task with schoolwork. 

Thursday we are going to the Memphis Zoo--a first visit for both Luci and myself.  She's all excited to see the Panda exhibit.  "But Mommy, we have to walk right past the alligators, they are scary!"  So that's what we'll do.

After the Zoo, we head to the "fancy hotel" and play Eloise and Nanny.   One of my favorite quotes from the Eloise movies is, "Nanny says, 'Life experience is the best education there is!'"

Friday night we have tickets to see Tim Hawkins.  He is hilarious!  Here's a video of his that's one of my favorites.  I think it's been on this blog before, but it's been so long I'm putting it up again.

Monday in Birmingham

After our visit to the International Adoption Clinic, we headed for the zoo. (More on the IAC visit in another post.) JT was wonderful with Luci. So nice since he sometimes feels put out by her still--for taking the baby slot. Waiting forever for Luci's appointments to get done at the IAC didn't help, but wow! what a neat kid Monday afternoon. This tiger was really that close. He walked right up to the window, turned and sprayed the window. We moved out of there quickly. The wall between the tiger and us (his lunch) was not all that high. After the tragedy in San Francisco a few years ago, I decided it was not wise to linger here since he was agitated, and we were the only people around (no other items available for his lunch!).

Wow! This peacock let us get up close. Made me wish I had one of those super-duper cameras. Usually I like my camera just fine.

JT mugging it up....

But Luci took her job more seriously. She felt on top of the world after surviving her doctor visit that morning.

Bryan spent the whole day solving and re-scrambling his Rubik's Cube. And yes, it was cold in Birmingham.

Luci went over the rope bridge for the very first time. Yay, Luci!

And finally was happy on the merry-go-round. She was terrified of DisneyWorld's merry-go-round and has been scared of them since then.

JT was a billy-goat.

The ZOO

Denna and her family met the kids and me at the Birmingham Zoo today. We missed everyone else! I hope next time you all can come. But, to be honest, it was pretty crowded and we'd never be able to keep up with each other if everybody showed up...As a homeschooler, I don't always follow the local school schedule--I do try to keep up with it, though--but I really goofed this time and planned to go to the zoo during Spring Break. Wow! We are really spoiled, we usually get to go places without crowds and get lots of attention from the docents, guides, etc. Not today.

Alligators
Luci's a bit reluctant to stay on the Carousel!
Bryan found a seat she likes. Sit down, Luci!!
We find other Families with Children from China folks nearly everywhere we go. This little cutie next to Luci is from Virginia, visiting relatives in Birmingham. They are only about 2 weeks apart in age.
Denna, Brooke, Luci and JT. Sweet!
Luci was brave on this bridge. Bryan is a good encourager.

Luci and Brooke before the birds show. JT and Bryan got to ride a camel! John--they didn't have to go all the way to Jordan to do it! (wish I knew where that picture is!)
Brooke and Luci wondering what's in that "tunnel" over there.
JT wanted to show you all how great a climber he is!! JT, watch out!!
Oh. So it wasn't so daring after all! You're funny, JT!
When we finally got home, JT and Luci still had energy to play. We stayed outside for about an hour. Luci dug in the dirt (I helping you, Mommy.). I found some mint growing in my garden. Yea! Finally something that is supposed to come back, did. I have terrible luck with gardening.After all of the zoo, and all of the mud in the yard, this is how the day ended.

ZOO Reminder--The More, the Merrier!!

Birmingham Zoo

Tuesday

10:00 am at the front gate

Everyone's invited!

Directions

The ZOO

OK, so I am lazy and my brain isn't feeling very original today. Denna said I could copy what she has on her blog:

Blogger friends, Denna (Two Little
Darlings) and I are planning a trip to the zoo again. Mark your calendars and come join us. We really enjoyed our last trip with all of you. Join us on March 18 for Fun at the Birmingham Zoo. We will meet at the front gate at 10:00. We will eat lunch at 12:00. Hope you all can join us
again. Spread the word. If the weather is bad, we will cancel.(rain or too cold) If you can make it let me know so we can look for you. (Leave a comment or email me.)

It's been 4 months! I hope you all can come.

This thing is spacing weird again, I'm sorry!