Zoo with Cutesy and Grandpa

During spring break I asked all the kids what they wanted to do (projects, movies, pjs, bowling)...and then I asked Cutesy what she would like to do. She said the zoo, and so we decided to take advantage of a beautiful day to go see the animals. We lucked out, seeing a baby chimpanzee and a baby orangutan, but paid a price for it - I think we were there with about 20 field trip groups. I let Jacob and Bekah take turns being "photographer" and consequentially had about 300 pictures on my camera - at least 10 for each animal and a good 10% devoted to the sky, the trees, and empty looking enclosures. But some were good, and I included those here...

Jacob has recently discovered the hilarity of bunny ears, and takes every opportunity to photo bomb with his two little fingers.

I am so glad that Grandpa (or Mustache Grandpa, as my kids refer to him), was able to come so he could be the muscle to carry Marianne and lift her up high enough to see all the animals.

Me and my own little monkey. *taken by Bekah*

Aren't they just a dashing retired couple? *taken by Bekah*

I think the kids had the most fun climbing on the tree trunks and rocks during lunchtime. Jacob and Marianne have a really cute relationship. He is a great big brother, always looking after her and offering her piggy-back rides, and she adores him for it. Also, fyi, Jacob has grown over an inch since January. I think it's the second and third helpings he has every night for dinner (as long as I've fixed something he likes). And - he is very proud of this - he is a solid half inch taller than Bekah!

Grandpa and the girls. Bekah has also been growing a lot already this year. She has grown about 3/4" since January...and she is SO skinny! Skinny jeans and leggings were made for this girl!

I always consider it very lucky to see a peacock in full array...*taken by Jacob*

"Swing me! Swing me!" Good thing my parents are so strong, because Marianne and her relentless pleas for swinging are pretty irresistible.

I swear these tigers have been sleeping every time I have visited them for the last eight years. (Rude, huh.) But this time we actually caught them awake! *documented by Bekah*

And a final shot of my Beau-monkey. He's getting so big, he loves school, and you should hear him read - he is an awesome reader!

I'm excited to be able to see a little more of my parents now that my dad is retired (but still finishing a big project at work), and they are living in Los Lunas (sort of - they are still trying to sell their home in SV and so they aren't here full time yet). I'm grateful that my kids can spend fun time with them like this and that my parents are up for the adventure!