Goin' to the zoo...(reprieve from the stomach flu!)

Life in a Nutshell

With everyone feeling fine *fingers crossed* we decided to try an outing today.

Although sometimes I feel as if we are the zoo, DH and I plucked up our courage and herded our tribe out to the Dallas zoo this morning.

It's quite an ordeal to get ourselves ready. On 'stay-at-home' days, I could care less what the kids are wearing, since it will only get muddied and torn. But when we must be seen in public, I scrutinize their outfits, making the necessary changes and adjustments....

"No, (DD#1) that is an undershirt, to be worn underneath another shirt - not on it's own!"

"(DS#1) that shirt has stains all over it - please put it in the wash!"

"I know red and red match, (DS#2), but you cannot wear your bright red sweats with that maroon Colorado Avalanche t-shirt...not today!"

And so on.

Well, we were finally presentable. All outfits co-ordinating, all hair done....well, most. I think DS#1 ducked under the brush on his way to the car. But the overall appearance was acceptable.

And we had fun! It is beautiful today...high of 80 (F) and sunny. We left early enough so that we weren't battling any crowds. The kids had the run of the place, and took full advantage...

Eventually, though, we had to rein them in, since DD#2 decided that being a part of an exhibit would be more fun...

Here's how it went.

DD#2 wanted to go up these stone steps that go above a certain exhibit, around, and back down. DH and the kids had already done it once, so I sent DS#1 up with her to do it again, and then casually mentioned to DH that maybe he should check on them, since they should have been back by now.

And so , DH went to check and discovered DD#2 peering down at him a full 6 feet higher than where he was standing. In effect, she was now on top of the exhibit! My wonderfully agile DH scaled the rocks and brought her down to safety. And DD#2 was forbidden from climbing for the rest of the morning.

Of course, that didn't stop her; we just kept whisking her off the boulders as we walked down the paths.

And then we took them to McDonalds to the "jungle play area" where she could climb to her hearts content.