The Last Few Weeks: Brookfield Zoo

We seemed to squeeze in some last minute playing. Thanks to Stephen's work for having a moving company to help us. Instead of being tied down at home packing boxes, we were able to get out a few more times. We were hoping to make it into the city again and cross some things off our list of our "Chicago To-Do's" but the only weekend we were home last month and could possible do it, there was a huge NATO conference with President Obama and leaders from around the world. They were warning everyone to stay AWAY from downtown because of all the rioting. Yeah, we weren't going to try to atempt that.

So instead my sweet friend Julie had some extra passes to the zoo. Andrew and I spent a fun day there enjoying the animals and spending some with friends. It was great to get out of the house for the day and enjoy some of the warm Chicago weather. Some of the highlights of the day were the chances we got to get right up close and pet the animals.

The Brookfield zoo has a really neat petting zoo with different farm animals. Andrew loved the goats. They let you go right into their cage and walk around and pet the different goats. All of the kids loved it. Andrew was a little nervous at first and not quite sure what to think. But then one goat started to nibble on his toes. He thought that was pretty funny.

My favorite part and the highlight of our zoo adventure was at the end of the day. We decided to head over to the sting ray exhibit. There you could once again get up close and pet the sting rays. It was neat because the sting rays would come right to the edge and up to the top of the water so you could reach them and pet them. Andrew loved laying on his tummy and getting his hands into the water. Along with the petting of the sting rays came lots of splashing and water all down his front. I'm not sure which he enjoyed more. For me...the sting rays were definately a winner.

We timed it just right! It was feeding time for the sting rays and the zoo keepers taught us how to feed them. If you know me and my feelings toward fish, you'd understand the courage it took. But I simply couldn't pass up this opportunity to feed an actual sting ray. I will have to say it was a weird feeling to have them come up and eat from your hand and I'm not gonna lie...I screamed just a bit. But I would have to say it was so NEAT!

So brave to hold a dead little fish in my hand :)

Feeding the Sting Ray

The gang of kiddos and their moms minus Julie who's taking the pic

You would think that after a long day in the sun with no naps this kid would be tired and fall right to sleep. Try as we may, Andrew does not fall alseep anywhere other than his bed. Even in the car...Ah well. He's still a pretty happy kid....considering. :) We had such a fun day!

Not asleep...just looking down to play with the
stroller's buckle. A favorite past time of his.