A Special Zoo Trip

When we renewed our zoo pass for this year we got a whole pack of free tickets for the special exhibits and they're expiration dates were swiftly approaching. Last year, they expired before we remembered to use them. DARN! This year I was proactive and we planned a trip specifically for the purpose of using those tickets.

We started with the TRAIN!!

Zach is obsessed with trains so he was thrilled.
Those silly pursed lips are him making the train noise, which coincidentally sounds a whole lot like his cow AND his cat noise.
Then, completely worn out already, we headed home for a nap.
The day wasn't over yet so, after his nap, we met some friends and enjoyed the Sea Lion and Seal show.
Zach thought the sea lion's honking noise was hysterical.
The ball balancing trick was quite impressive. But the hi-light of the day was our trip to the Birds from Down Under exhibit. Jason caught a bird with his food stick right as we walked in the door.
Zach followed his dad's example, putting his stick into the air after the birds.
He wasn't expecting one to ACTUALLY LAND on it. A bird swooped in only moments after we had walked in the door and he latched on to Zach's little stick.
I expected him to immediately drop it. But, he kept a secure hold and the bird stayed for several minutes. He kept looking nervously my direction like"Mom! He won't get off!" But he somehow managed to stay calm.
The bird got a pretty good meal out of it. If only he had known how close he was to a perilous drop.

Zach tried to catch more birds without much luck.
This guy was especially elusive. He would act interested, reach out for the food...
Then snatch a chunk off and high tail it out of there.
It was quite the experience. And I think we might actually go again, even if we ARE out of free tickets. It would still be well worth it.

What a happy kid!