Our Zoo Animals.

After 3 long days of Brody being under the weather we had to shake things up and take a trip to the zoo! We haven’t been ALL year – which is so unlike us.  We use to frequent the zoo 2x a week – the kids love it, and Dan and I get a good workout in with all of the walking.

This past summer though we were sucked into the fixer upper vortex and heading to the zoo took the back burner.

 This visit was a surprise and made the kids so happy –  We LOVE the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo!!

Brody + Owen are obsesed with their zoo maps.  First thing they grab when they walk into the entrance, and they look at them the entire time.

Brody kept saying to us “People are going to think I play for the browns (giggles) but I’m just wearing their hat!” He thought it was hysterical!

The lions are always fascinating and terrifying at the same time.  Regardless of the barrier I am always convinced they’ll smell their snacks and leap over the threshold.  Seriously folks – I cringe the entire time as the boys Ooh and Ahh.

Flock of flamingos.   Say that one 5x fast.

Everytime the boys run in a public place (acceptable or unacceptable) they say “Mom – we’re exercising!” Figuring Mom can’t say no to that!

How sweet are giraffes? There are two new babies at the Cleveland Zoo, we were not lucky enough to catch a glimpse – always a good reason to come back soon!

The colors of fall are intoxicating.  If I knew how to keep plants alive for longer then 5 days I would have my entire house and yard covered in them.  I’m working on my green thumb — with each passing plant.

It was the perfect day to visit the zoo.  You would have thought it was closed it was that quiet – which made it feel like it was all ours.

Ooh that face.  Words cannot describe what a good boy Owen has been lately.  He has always been our “tester” – pushing the limits, throwing temper tantrums and making a scene.  But something clicked this past summer and we could not be more proud of what a big boy he has become.  We enjoy his fiesty side though – so teaching him simple boundaries seems to work for us lately.

And this kid – pretty certain he turned 8 instead of turning 5 this year.  He is LOVING kindergarten.  Becoming a crazed sunday football fan just like his daddy and cracking us up with his older then his age mentality.