Family Zoo

The family ventured to the zoo today.

My mom was facing a fear by going to the zoo...not because of the animals but because of the fear of chaos and losing kiddos

It was glorious-because I love the zoo-the animals and all the excited kiddos. 

(Eli heard the train and continued to be obsessed with the train from the moment we entered the zoo)

It was chaotic, because although we had enough adults for each child, it just wasn't as easy to keep track of everyone as I imagined.  But we didn't lose anyone and I don't think any tears were shed except from Hugh who just wanted to eat.

Syd was there twirling her toes

My mom requested a shot with her 5 grandkids. Here is the classic shot followed by the best one that my camera captured. 

Then she gathered up her BIG kids and requested another shot.

During the chaos I noticed:

-Uncle Greg shaking his head at Eli's poor listening skills
-Grandpa Bob taking the time to read some of the informational blurbs next to the exhibits-hard to do when there are kids involved
-Aunt Sarah remained quiet and calm
-Syd was placed right on the ground/pavement when there was a camera/picture moment!  And she was ok with it.
-Adrenaline was rushing through Grandma Barb
-Liz was really helpful with the kiddos
-Andy was silent except for attempting to get Eli's attention
-I was so proud and happy we were all together
-Charley, Henry and Hugh were on their BEST behavior
-The weather was perfect and the trip was inexpensive
-oh and Eli was Obsessed (yes with a capital O) with the train and LOVED the ride

A few of my favorite moments:
-The turtle-wonder if he ever got unstuck
-Nursing Hugh in one of the train station "huts"
-Grandma Barb loudly commenting on the gorillas big butt
-When the train went by and Grandpa had all the big boys by hand-sorry for the blurry-it happened so fast

-I got to sit with the boys on the train.  Charley wondered if the train could take us all the way back to MN!  Henry thought we were turning often.  Eli was just in his glory.

 Charley even took a picture with my camera:

-Eli looked like this for most of the train ride:

And my last favorite moment was that when Eli took my hand near the end, he had a tiny little pine cone stuffed in his palm (you can kind of see it in the last shot).

We didn't end up seeing every single animal at the zoo, but we saw a lot.  We didn't buy any snacks, have any breakdowns or argue at all.  It was the family AT the zoo-not the family zoo.
When are we going back Grandma Barb?