Saturday, June 17, 2017

The zoo actually has animals......




Little Buddy and I had a surprise adventure to the zoo today.  I have not been the best Mom lately, I am frankly too tired on the weekends to do much.  I decided last night that no matter how tired I was today we were heading out for some fun.  I am so glad we did because Little Buddy was brave enough to actually ride a zebra on the carousel, last year we could only sit on the bench.   On top of the three carousel rides he also rode on the train three times.  We went on the wild banana ride once, he gets a little nervous before it starts because it makes a loud noise.  Once he gets going he makes that wild banana fly high into the sky.

I talked him into actually seeing animals this visit.  He really likes the rides and the water area, and I don't blame him because it was mighty hot and humid while we were there.  He walked a LONG way with his walker and those little legs of his.  He was plum tuckered out after seeing some animal friends.  Here is a bit of what we were able to see.


Penguins.  Yup, we have some here in hot Florida, the water they swim in must be sooooo cold!


A black bear.  He looked very hot in all that fur.


The manatee exhibit is my favorite and not because it is inside and nice an cool and dark.  This zoo is a rehabilitation hospital for manatees.  They are very successful in helping them return to the wild after they have been ill or injured.  This is a baby above.  She/he was just hanging out at the bottom of the tank for a while then headed up to the top to get a breath of air.  Her Mom  was always near by keeping a close eye on her. 


Little Buddy loved this area as he could really see them up close.  There were fish and turtles in the tank, too.


This turtle was massive.  She kept swimming by us over and over again.


They have two gorgeous rescued bald eagles.  They are so regal.


There was also a special exhibit with robotic dinosaurs.  Little Buddy did not seem to impressed, Mr. 20 would have loved this when he was little.  He knew every dinosaur there was and what period they were from.  Some dinosaurs were life sized and made movements and sounds.  I sure would not want to run into Tyrannosaurus Rex with all those teeth!

We made it two whole hours, which is a long time for a little one to walk around with his walker in the heat and humidity of Florida.   I am not crazy about zoo's but I am glad that ours has space for the animals and that they are treated well.  There is a large area with elephants, giraffes and zebras where they can roam.  We will see that next time. 

Hope you are having a cooler weekend than us!  Happy Father's Day to those of you celebrating.

33 comments:

Araignee said...

That looks like such a fun day! It is hot and very humid here too. I am at the highest level of cranky.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I'm glad you and Buddy had a good time at the zoo. We enjoyed zoo last Aug at Phil's company picnic. Warm weekend here in OR. 73 degrees warmer weather all next week. Was out and about two days and now vegging on couch. Happy weekend.

Anonymous said...

Awwwwwww...who wouldn't love that little penguin! So cute.

Little Buddy looks quite proud of himself for taming that carousel zebra.

Gracie Saylor said...

You got some great photos, Meredith, and I enjoyed viewing each one. I'm glad you both had fun in spite of the heat and humidity and being tired. [I have been telling my family the last few days that I am ready for sunshine and to be hot because it has been so cool and rainy lately. Please remind me I typed that if I complain to you in future!] Hayley and Molly tell us quite a bit about dinosaurs because they have watched Dinosaur Train, I guess. I would not want to be near those teeth if they were snapping either! Happy Father's Day to your hubby! xx

Wanderingcatstudio said...

What a fun day!

Teresa Kasner said...

I'm glad you and your little guy had fun there. He's a lucky boy to have you for a mom. I'm glad he's getting braver all the time and trying things that used to scare him. Maybe that bear needs a swim? After 2 days of pouring rain we had a nicer day today and tomorrow is supposed to be perfect. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Pam said...

I am so pleased to see little Buddy having such fun, he puts so many adults to shame. Praying that things only get better for both him and you.

mamasmercantile said...

What a difference a year makes, he has so much more confidence now bless him. Both Bertie and Wilbur would have loved the dinosaurs and would have loved the exhibition

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I'm glad you were able to spend some special time at the zoo with Little Buddy. He is growing up so fast it seems. Hugs!

kathy b said...

Aww I picture Lil B walking a long long way with the walker. God Bless him. And you. I love the manatee and turtle images. Don't be so hard on yourself Mere. I read a book long ago called, THE ORDINARY IS EXTRAORDINARY and it is very good. He's going to cherish all the downtime you share someday. Mother guilt be gone! Wishing your family a great Fathers Day, with some cooling breezes.

Mac n' Janet said...

Our nearest zoo is in Jacksonville and it's always hot, so if Buddy lasted 2 hours at your zoo he really did well.

linda said...

What a fabulous day out for Little Buddy, that dinosaur looks fierce! my eldest son used to be fascinated by anything to do with dinosaurs when he was little, it's been red hot here for the past two days and I'm warn out, I don't know how I would manage if I lived in a hot climate like you do. :) xx

Christina said...

That's wonderful, Little Buddy visiting the zoo and enjoying it very much. I remember the post about your last zoo visit - what a difference time and love can make. I enjoy visiting zoos, probably more so than my children! It has to be a well run zoo though, with conservation and protection at the forefront of the zoos business model. xx

Jo said...

Pretty hot here too Mere, and I don't often say that about the UK! Glad you had a good time - little steps all make progress don't they. Jo xxx

Betsy said...

Looks like you had a wonderfully fun day at the zoo. I'm so proud of your little guy riding that big old zebra all by himself. What a big difference the last year has made his adventures. Thank you for sharing all of the photos of your fun day with us. Our middle son was the same with dinosaurs as your Mr. 20. He could tell us everything about them. I also love The eagle photo. The ones at the lake are just gorgeous to me. We love to watch them hunt for the dinner. Just last night we saw one catch a huge fish from the lake and carry it to its nest and the babies waiting impatiently there. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend my friend.
Blessings, Betsy

CJ said...

Glad Little Buddy had a good time there. I love the manatee hospital too, lovely that they are released back into the wild. I hope you have a good week. Look after yourself, it's very easy to get exhausted looking after a little one and working too. Be kind to yourself, you're a fantastic mum. CJ xx

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

What a wonderful way to spend a day. The rides look great fun and penguins, I just love penguins xx

Lisa said...

It looks like Little Buddy had a great time. The rides and animals do make for a fun day. On such a hot humid day I hope some nice cool drinks or frozen treats were enjoyed. That's me - always thinking about food! Have a lovely week, Lisa

Jo said...

What a great day out. I'm glad that Little Buddy plucked up the courage to take more of a part this time, it does take time to feel confident enough and this just shows how he's maturing. Lovely to see the animals too.

Tanna said...

So glad Little Buddy had a FUN day!! You do just have to make yourself stop and do some "fun" things when life gets so busy and exhausting. Kudos to you for going out on a hot day! ;) That turtle shot is amazing! I know that sweet little guy was worn out after his big day. Bet he slept like a rock. ;) Hope your week is wonderful. blessings ~ tanna

Vera said...

Looks like a fun day for sure. Love that picture of the turtle. Little Buddy is growing up - actually riding the Zebra!!

The Well Fed Wheel said...

I get such a kick out of all Little B's facial expressions. Sounds like a fun time even though a warm one. It's very warm and humid here too. That turtle looks like it has moss growing on it! LOL

bittenbyknittin said...

Little Buddy has stamina! I know zoos are controversial, but the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is a great place to visit. Each year I purchase a family pass so we can go for an hour here, an hour there.

handmade by amalia said...

Oh, that darling boy, this looks like so much fun. And as for you - I am sure that you are too hard on yourself, to me you always look like the very best of mothers.
Amalia
xo

Suzan said...

I'll be taking my Sadie to the Atlanta Zoo this weekend!!
Maybe --- if it isn't too hot or too stormy!!
Looks like you have a nice zoo in your area!!!
Quite a variety!!
Bet Buddy was tuckered out after 2 hours!!
Take care and stay COOL!!

Willow said...

I have always loved zoos. If you ever get over to my side of the country, you should visit San Diego Zoo which has so many different habitats for the different animals.

AnnieOBTextiles said...

Oh that first photo says it all! The joy in Little Buddies face does your heart good. Looks like you had a great day and all that walking, wonderful. Hope you are managing to keep cool this week.

Jodiebodie said...

Love your title! What a trouper is LB for walking all that way. Well done for creating a great day for your little one. I hoe you slept well afterwards too and have recovered well. :-)

Delighted Hands said...

Little buddy must have really enjoyed himself-I need to plan another adventure, too! It has been humid, hasn't it?!

Nance said...

Ugh, this heat and humidity take it out of so many of us!

My eldest was a big dinosaur afficionado too. I think it was a major trend in the late '80s and into the '90s, and kids during that time really got on board. Now, perhaps, not so much. Maybe if there were a TV tie-in...

Caffeine Girl said...

Really? You are beating yourself up about not being superhuman? Stop that! You bring love to so many lives, especially LB.
I love the Manatees and that the zoo rehabilitates them.
Remember, we love you for being human -- not for being perfect!

Mrs. Micawber said...

Zoos do indeed bring mixed feelings, but it is wonderful to be able to see animals up close and learn about their habits and habitats. So glad LB had a good time! He must be getting very strong to have walked that long in such humid weather. :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Bravo for Little B doing so well at the zoo. I'm with you, not a fan, but if there's enough space for the animals, there's some rehabilitation going on and they are well-cared for, then that's all we can hope for. I wrote a paper on manatees when I was in middle school, or high school, don't recall exactly ... I may even still have that paper somewhere in my box of mementos.