It was a Zoo...Literally

Yesterday morning the kids had their 4 and 5 year old well check ups at the doctor. I actually got the visits in pretty close to their birthdays which is what they are for I guess. Last year we incorporated Carson's 2 and 3 year old well visit in November. Yeah I'm that good. But on the other hand the insurance company loves me. Anyway 2 things stand out about this visit. Kate is 35 lbs and Carson is 34 lbs. The doctor wanted to weigh Kate again because that puts her in about the 17th percentile for weight. I basically relaxed the Dr. by telling her how skinny her Dad  was and is. This girl is petite and I just don't worry. Side note: We went to the park tonight and the kids both got on the teeter totter and they weren't going anywhere! They were completely balanced with their little legs dangling equally off the ground. . :) I told them you have to find someone who doesn't weigh the exact same weight to make this game fun:) Another stand out is that shots are so much worse when your kids are older. With babies they lay them/pin them down and the baby is looking up with that sweet trusting smile until the shot goes in and they have a momentary look like theyre going to cry but then it's over and you pick them up and snuggle them and it's a distant memory. Not so with bigger kids. They KNOW! We had the crying before, during and after. Carson had 3 shots  and Kate had 1. Thankfully we won't have to do that again for a good long while. Carson cried for about a minute and then I asked, "Did it really hurt that much Carso?" and he said, "You know? It's didn't hurt that bad!"

I thought that since we had a morning of shots I would temper it with something fun in the afternoon. I thought a trip to the zoo would be just the ticket. Unfortunately, so did the rest of Fort Worth. I should have taken the hint when they closed off all but one exit off the highway to the zoo. And then my second hint should have been when a large grassy area that is usually an open field was filled with cars. It turns out it was Spring Break this week , oh and Wednesday is half price day at the zoo. Put those 2 things together and you get a whole lotta people. I mean way too many. We will definitely have to come back when it is less busy. I felt like we just rushed from one thing to the next except when we were standing in line. I've never seen so many strollers in my life. But really I was just jealous because if one had been available I would have popped Kate and Carson in one and muscled my way through the crowd. I forgot what an advantage they are in crowds. Everyone parts the way for a stroller. Ok enough of my belly aching let's take a look at the pictures shall we?

They were so happy on the way there talking about all of the animals they would see. And then it turned out we were in the car for an hour after we exited. All kinds of fights broke out in the back seat. "He's touching me!" "She stole my car!" "I am NOT a poo poo head" and the always classic "Carson stop looking out my window!" To which I replied with  classic parenting gems like, "I'm going to turn this car around!" and "Carson I guess Kate and I will just go to the zoo while you wait in the car" which is like 5 kinds of illegal but he doesn't know that and it worked for about 2 minutes.

My favorite fight was when I was explaining to Kate that brothers just like to say things to get on sisters' nerves and if she will  just ignore him he will stop. Well she doesn't really understand that and she just lets him bug the heck out of her. Carson must have listened to our talk because 2 minutes later  while he was taunting her and she was yelling he said, "Come on Kate I'm just trying to get on your nerves!"

All of Fort Worth. I mean really, we could  have taken the census right then and there.

Basking in the sun.

The first look at the monkeys.

There's a little baby monkey hanging out in front . The kids kept saying, "oh mommy! he's so KA-ute!"

This guy was amazing and had several million people (have I mentioned it was crowded?) stopped in their tracks. He was swinging fast and furious from one pole to the next. It was like watching a trapeze artist.

The obligatory elephant shot.

I loved this giraffe shot. He/she kept widening her stance to get to what ever she was trying to get at. It was quite funny. Hey! When you're THAT tall you gotta do something!

Our map guy. He was very serious about his job and USUALLY led us to  the right place.

He was insistent. Wouldn't you trust this face to guide you?

I was standing in a long line because the kids were drinky (thirsty) and I looked down and saw this. I mean you can't buy sweetness like that even at half price...on Spring Break.

All Kate wanted was a soft pretzel. When I finally got to the front of the line the lady told me they had just run out. It was probably that millioneth person that took the last one!

Everyone was clamoring to get a pic or video of this lion. He climbed to the top of the rock and as if on cue started roaring just like the MGM lion. LOUD! Over and Over.  The kids were captivated. Bravo lion!

My personal favorite shot of the day

The kids love riding the zoo train. So we waited in line. I would have waited in ten lines to see this face. Here he is telling me  "The train is coming Mommy! I see it!"

Oh anticipation!

I look frazzled but my kids have never looked cuter:)

They so enjoyed the ride.

Love the crossed legs:)

And we finished off the trip and stalled the LONG walk back to the car by having a Kona ice.

Carson loved it so much he danced his little Carso dance. See that lady sitting on the bench? About 5 seconds after this picture was taken she was dying of laughter watching him bust his moves.