happy new year to the zoo

we've had a wildly mild winter. i hate to put that in words, in fear of the cold days ahead... because we have really enjoyed the beautiful weather!

i remember last year being so frustrated with the cold weather -- having to have you all bundled up to go anywhere - and staying inside so much.  we just need the outdoors.

so, last friday we packed a lunchbox and headed out to the zoo to play! you'd been sick for several days, but had been on an antibiotic for a couple of days and seemed to be feeling better.

you are in a very independent stage.  you want me at an ear's shot, but not much closer than that... you let me know if i fail at either of those preferences....and you would not be happy if you knew i'd figured that out ;)

but, we are working through this. together.

so, basically you looked at the animals on one side of the bath, about 20 yards ahead or behind me... while i looked at the others.

i think we both enjoyed our pleasant day :)

as usual, the monkeys were our favorite.  they're just really hard to beat, especially when the two babies just couldn't hug each other enough. so very cute.  you had a pretty pink and green sippy.... and the baby monkeys wanted it SO bad... one kept putting her fingers to her mouth and looking at the cup. oh, dear.

let's ask dad for a baby monkey :)

we were very, very sad that the petting zoo wasn't open.  the workers seemed to have taken a 2 hour lunch.  we waited forever, yet they still lunched.  oh, well.  we will see our goat friends soon!  we were entertained instead by the obnoxious mother and her obnoxious child pulling brush and dead leaves from the flower beds and throwing them by the armful into the animal cages.  poor goats.  poor llama.  poor kid who has to live with that awful mother.

ok.  here is the best part of this post.  pictures of you :) ... a good mix of iphone pics & camera

 {knox went to the zoo, too. she had fun!}

 {yep. here you left knox behind...sitting by a light... 

i guess she did something wrong. fear not. i saved her.}

 {caroline! smile like grandma smiles.}

 {we LOVE carousels. i was happy you chose a hummingbird.}

 {you and this monkey had a thing. i think he liked your pretty dress}

{sweet love}

{when we got home you took a really good nap.  your nap hair proves it.}

i love going to the zoo with you.  i'm ready for grandma & grandpa to start their own zoo...well, farm... we need goats milk and fresh eggs, please ;)

i love you, sarah caroline!
mom