Zoo Day!

Last Thursday, we took a family trip to the Los Angeles Zoo!  Paprika was on Spring Break - and we had free guest passes (who can argue with free?!) - so we loaded up the van and headed to the zoo.  :-)

We got there and realized we were one guest pass shy  - so I briefly thought of trying to pass Ginger off as a 2 year old (2 and under are free).  If I put her in the Ergo with a sippy cup, I think she could pass...the short hair helps. ;-)  But, then I decided that it wasn't worth lying in front of my kids just to save $12.  So - it cost us $12 total for all of us.  Still, not bad!

It was Baby Violet's first trip to the Zoo - that is how long it has been since we visited.  It was HOT and smelly and full of people - but hey, the kids had fun!  ;-)

We spent some time visiting the goats.  Do you remember that one time I went to the Zoo seven months pregnant and spent five hours in the goat exhibit?  I don't think I will ever forget that!




Paprika remembered visiting the Zoo with Riley way back when...three years ago, actually.  I barely remembered it, but Paprika remembered the whole trip like it was yesterday!

Out of all of us, Baby Violet had the BEST time.  She loved the animals, and got so excited seeing every single one.  She had the time of her life!  We were joking that would check "Zoo" off our list of places we need to take her to - so in case she forgets, she HAS been to the Zoo.  See?!  ;-)




Ginger was the main reason we went to the Zoo.  She really wanted to go to the Zoo to see the giraffes.  But then we had a long car ride in traffic to get to the Zoo.  And when we got there, it was hot...and crowded...and smelly.  And the giraffes are at the back of the Zoo. 

So, although you might think that you will see the the giraffes right when you get there, in reality, it takes a long time.  And then when you finally get to the giraffe exhibit, there might be seven thousand adults in front of you who won't let you get a peek.  And then you might fall down on the ground and start crying.  Screaming, actually.

I'm just saying...that might happen.  ;-)





Let's just say that Ginger is not a fan of crowds.  Or heat.  Or smelly places.  Or smelly people.  ;-)

But all was not lost.  We did get a peek at a bunch of exhibits and Ginger recovered (especially when we told her we could go home! Haha). 

On the way home, we got stuck in rush hour traffic and ended up taking surface streets home (instead of the freeway).  We passed right by USC - where Mr. M and I met - and the girls got such a kick out of driving by the campus. 

We joked that we could check "college tour" off the list, too.  ;-) 






We made it home in one piece.  Paprika and Violet had a great time at the Zoo. And Ginger...well, when we asked Ginger what her favorite part of the Zoo was, she said:  Going Home! 

A girl after my own heart...

The End!

A Sweet Day at Gentle Barn!

We took the girls to Gentle Barn today. I have wanted to go forever and a day, and it has always seemed too far to drive. Well, this weekend we just decided to go "to the farm" - no matter the distance. I wish I would have gone years ago because it took less than an hour to get there...no traffic!

Gentle Barn is a sanctuary for abused animals, often rescued from the most terrible situations. During the week, they allow at-risk kids and special needs kids to come and interact with the animals. On the weekends, it is open to the public...thank goodness, because we got to go!

The girls loved brushing the cows. This one is named Buttercup:



I even got to hug a cow. This one is named Buddah. Such a sweetie!



We petted the horses, which was Ginger's favorite part of the trip. She fed an entire bag of carrots to all the horses there (about 15 horses total). She was scared at first, but then so brave.



We didn't get many pictures of the big girls feeding the horses because we were too busy managing Ginger and Paprika and making sure that they didn't get their fingers eaten off by accident! ;-)



It was really sweet to see the horses, who had been so abused in their previous lives being so trusting and sweet with us.



The chickens were a big highlight...I think because they are so small, they are less intimidating to the girls.



Paprika loves the chickens best of all. She likes to follow them around and talk to them. She spent quite a lot of time with the chickens.



It very much reminded me of this special day when Paprika had just turned two years old. Do you remember this blog post?! :-) What do you dream about, chicken? I will never forget it. Ha!



The girls were so excited about seeing a peacock up close. Ginger had to tell the peacock how she has a peacock (Halloween) costume at home. Why, yes, she does!



The girls thought this was soooo funny. Mr. M had to hold them up behind there because they were too short. Good job, babe!



And the girls even got to pet an emu. The emu was actually a lot nicer than she looks. Haha.



It was just a great day. I was especially proud of Ginger today because she wore clothes and shoes the whole time we were there. ;-) All three girls were actually amazing the whole trip, and it was just a really fun and special time. I am so glad we made the trip, and we're already talking about our next trip back. Success!

The Zoo!

We spent all day today at the Los Angeles Zoo with our friends Devon and her two girls: Miss Belle (who is seven days older than Paprika) and Sweet P (who is three months younger than Ginger)!

We were going to get a picture of all the kids together...but you know how that goes! Devon and I met at our grief support group, and so she's just one of those people who really gets me (and even my sometimes backwards sense of humor). As we were walking into the Zoo, a guy came up to me and started admiring my stroller and said it would be perfect for him because he has "two sets of twins. Guess I won the lottery, huh?" That's what he said.

I kinda chuckled to myself and thought, "Is it going to be THAT kind of a day?"- you know, the kind of day when you feel like you're the nail instead of the hammer...but it ended up being a great day, after all. Whenever Devon and I are together, we are able to talk about the four kids (my girls and her boys) who are missing from the group...and it's really nice. I'm really lucky to have her as a friend, I know that!



I've taken Paprika to the Zoo many times before, and it's always kinda hit or miss. I know when you go to the LA Zoo, you never really know what's going to happen! Here are some links from back in the day when we used to go...

ALL

THE

TIME

AND

A FEW

MORE TIMES, TOO!

When we got to the zoo this time, it was filled with kids on field trips. I think every child in Los Angeles was there...and there were about 6 adults watching them all. Haha!

But, soon the school groups left and we had the whole place to ourselves. We got to see lots of animals up close, and the older girls had a great time playing together. It was perfect!



They even got within an inch or so of a gorilla...they thought that was pretty cool! He just sat there and they talked with him for a long time, and even offered him gifts.



The babies were snuggling in their Ergos - it was Sweet P's second trip to the LA Zoo, but Ginger's very first outside the womb.



Overall, a great day! We even beat traffic on the way home. In LA, it doesn't get any better than that! ;-)

Zoo Day!

We had a phenomenal day at the zoo on Saturday. Gorgeous weather. Friendly animals. Lots of fun!

Return of The Electric Scooter

Yesterday, Grandma Pat and I took Paprika to the "Wild Animal Park"- aka The Santa Barbara Zoo. Paprika doesn't like zoos, but she does like "Wild Animal Parks" so that's what we call it.

We did it all! We rode the train, we had lunch, and we even saw some animals! Pat talked me into renting an electric scooter to get around the park, and I was so glad I did! It's pretty fun to scoot around the park. Paprika especially enjoyed riding on my lap as we cruised.

All in all, a pretty perfect day!

Back In Los Angeles...

Paprika and I drove back to LA last night. I started feeling absolutely miserable on Sunday night and it continued to get worse on Monday. Awful pain. Terrible, stabbing pains like a knife ripping through my midsection. Swollen feet. Headaches. Could barely walk...or move. Couldn't sleep because every time I rolled over, I would wake up from the pain. So, I decided it was a good idea to get in the car and come home, where we could be close to Mr. Mustard, the hospital, and Dr. K.

The pains are pretty normal, round ligament pain...but just in case, we decided it was better to be close. Santa Barbara is two hours away in good traffic, and in bad traffic it can be 5 or 6!

So, we're here now. I have my doc appointment Thursday, so I will definitely be asking Dr. K about all these symptoms. I think my body is just very tired from being pregnant for so long, especially since there was only a two month break between my last pregnancy and this one. Here are a few highlights from our week in Santa Barbara:

Paprika and I on our first day at the Zoo, feeding the Giraffes:



Paprika Petting a Shark on Our First Trip to the Marine Museum:



Putting On A Puppet Show:



Family Photo on Our Second Trip to the Zoo (when Mr. Mustard was visiting):



On The Zoo's Choo-Choo Train (We Rode It Three Times!):



Paprika Back At The House, Playing Piano:



Paprika, Snuggling On The Couch:



Trip To One of Many Parks:



And Another Park:



First Time By Herself On "The Big Girl Swings" (I was sooo proud!):

Goats and Sea Lions

On Monday, Paprika and I spent the whole day at the zoo (she's waking up much earlier now...knock on wood...let's hope it lasts).



The LA Zoo is not my favorite place on Earth, I'll be honest. But Paprika really wanted to go, and so I had to do it. I think if Paprika wanted to fly to the moon, I would figure out a way, if that's what would make her happy. I really would.



Reminds me of a movie I used to watch:

What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.



Anyway, we spent a lot of time at the petting zoo, where kids can pet the goats. When I say a lot of time, I mean a lot of time. It was the first place we went when we got to the zoo. It took Paprika about half an hour to get up the courage to go inside. When we got inside, she tenatively petted the goats and then was so excited about it, that she didn't want to leave. We stayed for an hour until the goats had a one hour break.



Paprika cried and cried when we had to leave the goats. I told her we'd come back in an hour, so we went and visited the sea lions. Just the sea lions, for one whole hour. Once Paprika is at an exhibit, she wants to stay and study it and focus, focus, focus. She really doesn't want to leave anything half done.



At the end of the one hour goats' lunch (and our one hour visit with the sea lions), I asked her if she wanted to go back. She exclaimed, "Yes!" So we went back...

And spent from 1pm until 4pm inside the goat pen petting the goats. The goats were done for the day at 4 o'clock, so I told Paprika it was time to go. She cried the whole way home, exclaiming, "Go back and pet the goats!" It was pitiful, really.



But what could I do? So, we spent about 5 hours today at the zoo: 1 hour looking at sea lions and 4 hours petting goats. Can you believe that?



Good thing I love, love, love this little girl. Because 4 hours of sitting in the sun, six months pregnant, amidst goat droppings, dust, and hay is really not my idea of a great time! But, even a so-so day at the zoo is still a pretty great day, all things considered. You know?