Rainy Day at the Zoo

We just got back from a trip to the zoo. MIL bought a "grandma" membership which includes all the grandkids and two guests, so the kids took Morning and me to the zoo. :)

We haven't gone very often because we thought we had to have MIL's membership card, which meant planning ahead to get it from her and then give it back to her over at their home in the next state. But I found out today that we don't need to have the card with us to get in as long as we can verify the information on the account. It gets us free parking and entry to the zoo.

We'll be going a lot more often now that we know that it's easier than we've been making it. Aren't most things, really?

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We had a great time, even though it was cold and rainy and the heater in the van is broken. We bundled up (not quite well enough--next time we'll wear gloves) and wore raincoats.

I was amazed at how well the kids put up with the cold, damp discomfort. They ran around excitedly, squealing and exclaiming about the animals and saying, "We're having so much fun! This is a great time!"

Baby E was the most warmly dressed, in her little fleece bodysuit with her head, hands and feet covered and a blanket over her. She was entranced with the animals, the motion, the rain, and the yellow reflective stripes on AJ's and MM's raincoats.

Actually, it was a great time to go to the zoo. We had the place almost to ourselves. No crowds to push through, nobody blocking our view, no noisy hubbub. Just us, the rain, and the animals.

Now we're trying to get warmed up. The kids are sitting in front of the gas fireplace drying out their puddle-splashed ankles and warming their hands. I think I'll give them something warm to drink, and then it's time to feed the baby and prepare dinner.

I'll try to catch up on replying to e-mails and comments later tonight. I've got several interesting posts in the queue as well, including another update on Airborne (I got a letter from the company) and some pondering about vaccines.