Adventure at the Zoo

On Thursday Grandma Hyer, Caleb and I had an adventure at the zoo. We set off with Caleb walking and Grandma bundled in the wheelchair. It was in the lower fifties when we started but soon warmed up. Caleb was really excited even though this picture doesn't capture it. The fall colors were beautiful and the weather was actually wonderful. We saw the giraffe and it got out and walked around for us!
Recently an African exhibit was added to Zoo Boise and it is roomier and thus further to walk. I thought I'd let Caleb walk around but should've put him in the back pack for this part because we spent a lot of time with me saying, "Caleb, this way" "Come on Caleb, let's go." He didn't want to go by himself for some reason and didn't like that he couldn't hold my hand (not that he usually wants to anyway...but when it's unavailable it's all the more desirable.) We also saw the lions pretty close up.


Grandma was very easy going and patient just waiting as I had to run back and forth between her and Caleb when Caleb didn't want to walk. We spent quite a while watching the penguins because they were playing and swimming back and forth altogether and diving now and then. They can really move quickly in the water and I was fascinated. The penguins are set up so you can see under the water as well. We also got to see the zebra up close and I think both Grandma Hyer and Caleb liked that.


I eventually asked him if he wanted to go in the backpack and I think he was tired so he readily agreed. I was really glad because that's when we went to the other side of the park and had to go up a big hill. This is us in front of the llamas


Then of course we played in the sandbox--I think Caleb's favorite thing at the zoo. He'd really be conent to just dig all day long. This sandbox is supposed to be a play archeologist dig for dinosaur bones. Caleb just likes the shovels and sand.





Somehow we managed to help Caleb forget about the sandbox and see the desert tortoises (which, yes, I just call turtles--Caleb really likes turtles) and some other exotic animals. It was time to eat and we got out food but I was the only one who was really hungry. I had packed a ton of food not wanting anyone to be hungry but I needn't have worried. (Caleb sometimes likes to wear his hood.)


At the end I thought Grandma like watching Caleb on the carosel so we took a ride on it. By the time we found the zoo person that ran it Caleb had lost interest and we should've headed back but I thought it would be fun for Grandma and I like the carosel. The only problem was that we were the only ones. I the past lots of kids have been on and when the ride ends Caleb will be more likely to follow all the kids off. As the only ones it appeared that mommy had stopped it and was tearing him away from the most amazing ride on a monkey. He left screaming and very tired. He was asleep by the time we got to the car. All in all a very successful day!

Oh and I found out that mockeys and apes are different. Apes don't have tails and monkeys do. I'm still not sure how they're related but maybe next trip to the zoo. :)