Binder Park Zoo

Today we took a trip to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek with Grandma and Papa. It was the last day that they were open for the season and I had a coupon for entry that expired today, as did the Mittino's so we made plans to meet them down there. Dad had to work on his homework so he couldn't join us.

It was a little brisk when we weren't in the sun but overall it was a great day to be outside and everyone had a great time. It was great having Grandma and Papa along to help because with 5 kids between us it still felt like we were outnumbered, even though we had just as many adults as kids. Lily did pretty well and slept through part of it but was awake a lot and content to just be in her stroller. However, when she had enough of that she let us know it and we all ended up taking turns carrying her since I'd forgotten the baby bjorn. Julie couldn't wait to see Sofi and Tony, although when we first got there she was hesitant to go off with them. She warmed up shortly though and the three of them were running all over the place playing tag and hiding from each other. When they did calm down they were enamored with Lily and the fact that she can now sit up on her own and interact with them since her role as the baby of the group now belongs to Vinny!

Julie loved seeing the animals and even got to feed a giraffe! We knew coming to the zoo that they had giraffe's, however, when we arrived they initially were off display because it was so cold. Thankfully it warmed up enough during the day that they were out and she was able to do that. Some of the other animals we saw were kangaroos, wallabies, emus, zebras, prairie dogs, snow leopard, cheetah, Mongolian horses and a few different primates. Julie also went on her first carousal ride!

 Julie and Papa

 Julie with Grandma and Papa

 The big kids ... Julie, Tony and Sofi

 Playing chase on the boardwalk

 Lily and Grandma

 Lily and Papa

 Grandma, Papa, Lily & Julie

 Julie's first carousal ride

Feeding the giraffe

Now that it is October talk has turned to Halloween and Julie has decided that she would like to be a cat and she would like Lily to be a dog. When I asked her why Lily should be a dog her response is "So she can chase me" ... hmmm, turns out that I had bought some costumes at the end of last year and the one for Julie is a cat, however, the one for Lily is a ballerina so I'll have to break it to Julie that Lily won't be a dog this year, and it isn't even because she can't walk, let alone chase her ... no, I'm just not going to spend more money on costumes :) I love the things she comes up with and the reasoning behind them.