The National Zoo

So this is going to be mostly a picture post because a zoo is really just a zoo even if it's the national zoo.

best friends

On Friday we packed up all six kids and four adults and headed to the metro. We jumped on the metro and did some fancy metro hopping to hit the zoo. We first hit probably the only McD's that was not stroller friendly or sitting friendly for that matter. But the kids got nuggets and toys so who cares, right?

entering the zoo

Then we walked the couple blocks to the zoo. It was so much fun! I thought we would only get a few hours before we would have to worry about whining and being tired. The kids surprised us and we did probably five or six hours! We hit some great animals like the zebras and elephants and my kids particularly got a kick out of the gigantic aviary and the reptile house with the swimming snakes and giant tortoises that were actually awake and wow, they move fast.

look the giant pandas

going off the path in the aviary

look mom, an elephant

I think my favorite part of the day was about half way, when we all stopped for snacks. The kids had granola bars, bananas, and water, of course! They were so cute all lined up on the benches in the shade. I loved it and Lizzy fell asleep, wonder of wonders!

all the kids together, Gwenna-Evie-Bronwyn-Rowan-JC

happy baby at "break time"

I continued Evie's home pre-schooling and added an activity worksheet for her to fill out as we saw the exhibits. She had so much fun and oddly enough the Woods girls, Rowan and Bronwyn, liked helping her do it. (I've put it in the section on the side. I added the other one I didn't use, but liked.) When she had finished and we were finished too, we went to the Visitor's Center and she turned it in for a set of sparkly zoo stickers. She turned right around and gave one to daddy and the gave one to me and said thank you, all unprompted too!

gorilla and my monkey boy

animal with spikes! Iguana sticking out it's tongue

I think, though the animals were fun and being with friends was fun, the parts the kids liked most were the misters that were set up every now and then along the paths to the different animals. The kids loved them so much even the strollers went through, babies and all!

all for the water!

misted baby and daddy

We finished up the whole day with a quick trip to the store for a souvenir or two and some Christmas presents they don't know about! On the way home, we again took the metro and for the first time really noticed how much JC likes trains. Every time one passed by he squealed excitedly and pointed enthusiastically. It was so cute.

on the way home

We were tired, we had fun, and we took Saturday off!