Playdate II: The Return

We just could not get enough of the zoo, a much better experience than our usual free zoo trip, which is a trip to Petsmart :-) Look at the majestic lions! Sometimes I think Miles must think we are making up all these animals to amuse him. I feel strangely vindicated by being able to show Miles that they actually exist. Particularly if one of them should make one of the noises we taught him.

No lion roars, sadly.
We could have happily spent MUCH more time in the awesome aquarium.

Gansta Miles and Jazz Hands Abby.

No, he doesn't think he's kissing the fish. He's kissing himself.

Wait, there are fish in there too??

This does not do justice to the awesomeness of the giant tanks full of things like sea turtles, sharks, and gorgeous multicolored fish. It was so peaceful! Took Jon and me back to our first date at the Philadelphia Aquarium, 9 years ago...

Miles and Abby take a break at the Kangaroo yard. Check out the 'roo way back in the distance!



Pensive Abby.

Miles making his elephant noise with raised arm-trunk.

Return to the giraffes and BOTH kids fed them this time!

Go Abby! So brave!

So thrilling.

I want a giraffe now.

With Leah and Matthew's pass we got a free ride on the Choo-choo!

Both kids had a BALL. Both had to be dragged away. Miles cried and said "Back?" He was easily distracted by the next animal, don't worry :-)


We left the zoo for lunch and naptime, but the late afternoon found us at the Edventure Children's Museum in Columbia!


Miles cheers for himself after putting his grocery cart away. Mini-grocery shopping is so mind-blowingly awesome for little kids.

Abby does not believe the fireman's hat is as fetching as the rest of us think it is.

Miles was pretty happy to pose.

Another thing we had to drag him away from! He loved it. I have to laugh at myself for all the ways Miles is a typical boy. I find vehicles and machines to be unutterably boring, but I cannot keep my kid away from them. What can I do but put on a hat and smile?

"I'm staying here, Abby, ok?"

I'll close out this exceptionally long photo diary with a video. No kids, but lots of monkies! Listen to their amazing vocal stylings!