Zoo Tycoons

Since Jakob's birthday in July we've all been enjoying the PC game Zoo Tycoon. Where else does a 4 year old learn the words "exhibit" and "foliage"?
So when I heard about the VIP Wild Wednesdays at the Phoenix Zoo this month, I decided to brave the heat, invite a similarly stalwart friend and head for Papago park with my girls.
IT WAS AWESOME. And I'm not just saying that because it was free. Okay, maybe I am. Anyway, we had a great time.

I'm pretty sure Anna's favorite part was checking the map, which she did A LOT! I seem to remember Jakob being just as interested in maps at that age (and now).

We saw lots of animals. We also saw a couple of those exhibits where apparently an animal supposedly lives there, but mysteriously noone ever gets to see it. And if there is any doubt what the most awesome zoo animal in the world is, here's a clue:

Yep, giraffes are the top of my list because not only do they look cool when they walk and eat, but they don't lie down and sleep in the tall grass under a shady tree at the back of the exhibit. And so any mom can say confidently to a 1 year old "look at the giraffe" and know that they are indeed seeing it! I won't mention how lame it is that the zoo charges extra for the new giraffe encounter.

We visited the zoo wth the Sumralls. 3 yr old Dallin is seriously the cutest kid on the WHOLE PLANET! Plus he was a great sport about Anna trying to be in charge of what we saw next (for instance, I don't think Flamingos featured in his agenda). I love this picture of the kids about to run into the tunnel at Yakulla caverns - a new splash pad play area at the zoo.

We ended the day with a spin around the carousel. Jenelle tried her hardest to get Emma to wave at us as we went round but Emma's reactions were a little out of synch! Good try though!

I have to give the last word to Jakob though. He was such a good sport about not getting to go with us. I really wanted him to come too, and considered going next Wednesday when school is a half day, but since the zoo closes at 2pm this month, it didn't really make sense. He's been good about thinking of other stuff he gets to do that Anna doesn't and so he hasn't really complained. I'm blessed to have such good kids and good friends too.