Molly's First Trip To The ZOO

A couple of weeks ago we went to the zoo. I'm embarrassed to say that it was Molly's first trip to the zoo (well, we did take her once when she was about 9 months with our other kids. Does that count?) Anyway, when Meg and Ben and even Sam were little, we weren't doing three different schedules. It was easier in some ways because I wasn't torn in a million different directions and I could plan how the day went. Now it seems like many days are already planned for me. Well, I've said this entire school year that I wanted to take one day a week and do something fun just for or with Molly. It hasn't worked out like I had intended. It seems that there is always an errand, visiting teaching, accomplishing something for Cub Scouts, laundry, grocery shopping, going to the school, or the like that has kept me away from taking Molly to do "fun" things.

Better late than never!!! A couple of weeks ago the zoo, last week lunch with Rusty (she LOVED this), and tomorrow we are heading to the park. I have turned over a new leaf.

Now for my disclaimer (more for Molly when she grows up and says "mom, you never did anything with me"). I didn't ignore the poor girl every day. Trust me, she would NEVER let me even if I wanted to. She has a weekly playgroup with her friends, and we do some sort of activity (play-doh, painting, coloring, playing with "barbs" (Barbies) and babies etc.) as well as read every day right before I put her down. I do have to admit, it isn't near as much as I did with Meg and Ben. Rusty always says Molly will get her time at the end of her stay with us, when the other three are out of the house. Again, I'm sure SHE'LL see to it.

Molly was so curious where the "ma ma lion" was. She had no interest in looking at the "daddy" one.

Molly thought it was so funny that this gorilla eats lunch like we do. He is "eating salad just like Benny." BTW Ben loves salad.

Waiting for the polar bear to jump in the water. Still waiting. . . we finally had to leave. Molly crying of course because she never saw him jump in the water. I wondered why I even bothered telling her that the polar bear most likely would jump in the water. I really need to learn how to avoid a screaming fit.

Watching the hippo. We went with our friends the Larsens.

Molly on the drive home. I gave her a sucker so she wouldn't fall asleep and think that was her nap for the day. You can tell how content she is. We had a fun day. As a side note, it was really weird just having one of my kids with me doing an activity like that. It was GREAT. Of course when Sam found out we went to the zoo, then I had to deal with another fit.