Party Animals

*VIDEO*

Do you ever find yourself at the end of a weekend completely exhausted but wanting to do it all over again? Well that was our weekend. It's 9:00 p.m. on Sunday and all 4 of us are in bed already (two of us sleeping soundly), if that tells you anything.

We started off the weekend with a morning trip to the Indianapolis Zoo. This was Ford's first trip to the zoo, and the weather was perfect for it. We went first thing in the morning, so we had the place to ourselves. We only stayed for 11/2 hours, but it was plenty of time to wear him out, and we left just as it was starting to get busy. David decided to get a family membership pass, so now we can go often without feeling like we're wasting our money by leaving early. Ford wasn't all that interested in the animals, but he loved running around the park. He was in nonstop motion every time we let him out of the stroller. We're practicing our animal sounds, so I think he'll enjoy our zoo visits more and more. [He knows a monkey says "ooo ooo ooo," a lion says "rooooar," and a dog says "woof." Currently, all other animals say "moooo." HA]

Do you see us? :)

RUNNING as fast as he can

Watching the fish

Petting a flamingo

Checking out the zebras

"Mr. Rhino...I seeeee yooooou."

"Hey, Mr. Monkey, how'd you get up there?"

"Mom, that giraffe is not paying attention to me."

Family portrait at the giraffe exhibit.

Elephants

Cheetahs

Another elephant

Yikes! Bat cave....not my favorite.

"Those are funny looking birds."

Our favorite exhibit was the lions! It was early enough that they were still up and moving around. The lion and lioness were pacing in front of the cage and even roaring, which was exciting (and a little intimidating). 

As we approached the lion exhibit, the lion started talking (turn up your volume to hear him) and Ford stopped in his tracks.

Then he got brave and wanted to see the lion up close. You can see the lion lying down to the left.

After our trip to the zoo, we headed straight to Corwin's 3rd birthday party. There was another little girl there who is close to Ford's age, so the kids had a lot of fun (and were very well behaved!) playing with each other. And Ford has never met a stranger, so he even had fun with the other adults. I enjoyed visiting with Lindsay's parents, who I love and miss dearly. And we had some other friends who were there, so David got to visit with them, too.

David and I also got in a date night to celebrate our upcoming anniversary. Lindsay volunteered to babysit, so Ford got to visit Corwin and his grandparents AGAIN, which of course he loved. Meanwhile, David and I had a nice dinner outside in the heart of Zionsville Village. It was a beautiful night, and we had a great time having a table to ourselves for a change. I can't even remember the last time we went out alone! Wait, yeah I do; I think it was July. Anyway, it was nice to spend some time together having a conversation that didn't include what Ford ate for lunch and when he pottied last.

First glass of wine in...several weeks. I don't know how that happened. :)

Aside from all of that, we, of course, spent most of Sunday watching football. [Ford says "touchdooown," compliments of his Nonna.] It was a lovely weekend, and even though I'm ready to sleep it off, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Categories: family time