Zoo Sunday


Peek a zoo! A sneak peek of the zoo the night before.
We have been wanting to hang out with some daycare playmates for a while. After our trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, P had such a great time that we decided to check out our local zoo. So, I initiated an invite to the zoo with two of P's playmates!
We had so much fun. I didn't realize the zoo was so small! It was really just one big loop. No elephants or giraffes! We had a picnic lunch afterwards in the adjacent park and then played on the swings after a while.
The babies were excited to see each other. It was probably weird for them to see each other in a different setting.
P definitely had her own agenda. She was obsessed with the oak leaves--looking, touching, and eating them!
After so many days of rain, it was wonderful to be outside and have the sun shining.
The gang in action.

A wallaby with a little joey peeking out of the pouch!

P's first time on a swing. She was more interested in the other dad next door!

North Coast Mommies rule!

North Coast Dads rock, too!
The oak leaf obsession begins...

...even while her friends surround her.

...getting Lily in on the action.

...hunting for more leaves.

...aha! Found one!

...and another.
...mmm--good enough to eat!
  
...ha! ha! ha! Look at me!

Party of 5 To the Aquarium

We made a trip out for P's birthday to Aptos to visit family. We also decided to venture to Monterey Bay Aquarium. I think RT and I were last there for our 2nd anniversary back in 2003!
Of course this was P's first time to any kind of museum. RT's parents joined in the fun.
The main attraction was the seahorse exhibit. They were very fascinating. It was hard to believe that creatures like that exist in nature. They are so unique-looking and come in all shapes and forms! RT's favorites were the seahorses, leafy sea dragon, and the kelp forest. My personal favorite was the tropical fish tank where all the different colors of fish were swimming around. It was amazing to see all those vibrant colors exist in nature! I think P's faves were the penguins.
But, the best part of the day was when P went to the touch tide pools, splashed around, and held some sea stars and kelp. She had a ball!
One thing that struck us as funny was looking at this experience through the eyes of young parents. We saw stroller after stroller, and could relate and sympathize with parents and all the little babies and toddlers milling about.
Afterwards, we had a picnic lunch at Point Lobos State Preserve. Now, the last time RT and I were there was back in 2000 when he proposed to me! That place definitely has a special meaning for us.
It was a perfect ending to a wonderful trip. Miss P did such a great job. She was so good the entire time. I thought she would be too little to enjoy it, but she seemed to have lots of interest in what she was seeing. She was so tuckered out at the end of the day, and she slept the entire way home!