Zoo!

We had our first zoo visit since moving to New Jersey, and we made it a good one. The Bronx Zoo! We went with Alex's two best buddies and their siblings and mothers (three moms and seven kids total aged almost-9 down to 2 1/2). It was our Wednesday-of-Spring-Break activity, Wednesday being the day at the Bronx Zoo where you donate whatever amount you want for admission. Surprisingly it wasn't crazy crowded like we thought it would be, probably because NYC schools were not out this week.


Here's the three musketeers, ready to start the day. SO happy to be at the zoo together. In fact, I think they were so happy to all just ride in the car TO the zoo together.


Everyone (except for Donald) at the beginning of the day.


The big rope spider web in the children's area was a huge hit, as seen by climbing participation with the entire group. They probably would have stayed on this for an hour or so if we didn't have a school group right on our tail.


I like this picture of Alex and Peter on the web, because you can see that Alex is "webbing" me Spiderman-style.


For some reason the turtle shells were also a huge hit. Lots of climbing fun.


Pretty Kate the turtle.


Grace specifically wanted to get a picture with the white llama (or alpaca - I'm not real sure what they were) at the area where kids can feed the animals. It was very friendly, probably because it was thinking it was sure to get some food pellets. Unfortunately it was disappointed this time (we moms decided it was too much hassle to coordinate seven kids feeding at the same time).


Everyone posing with sad faces upon discovering the reptile house was closed for the day. They really wanted to get inside to see the cobra that escaped a week or so ago.


Grace made a new friend in Peter's older brother Matthew. Even though they are a grade apart, Grace is only about 3 months older than Matthew. So they bonded over their extreme devotion to all things Harry Potter, and shared irritation at the three 6-year-olds with us.


Good thing I shoved an entire package of Chips Ahoy cookies into my pack. They were used for all sorts of incentives, whether it was a sugar pick-me-up or as a bribe (seen here) for keeping someone in his stroller.

It was a VERY fun day, though I have to admit I was exhausted by the end of it. Don't know if it was from all the walking or just the stress of keeping up with all those kids, but it was totally worth it.