The Dublin Zoo

The weather for Friday was predicted to be very, very nice. So I asked Jeff to take the day off so we could either hit the coast or the Dublin Zoo. We woke on Friday and the weather report called for clouds and possible rain on the coast, so we headed to Dublin. We had a hot, wonderful time at the zoo.

First in, we went to see the monkeys/chimps (who were awesome) and the big cats (who were all sleeping.) Then we ran into a playground. It was neat to see the kids having little issue climbing up and going down the big slide. They are so grown up!

After the playground, we stopped for some lunch. The kids chowed on chicken and pizza, then got ice cream. It was perfect on a hot day.

The kids watching a Humboldt Penguin swim.

Climbing on penguins

Walt and I checking out some giraffes.

There's a pavilion just as you enter the African Savannah area. To loop around the enclosure is a very long walk. The kids were pretty tired by this time and so we spent a long time in the pavilion, looking out at the giraffes and ostriches. Here's Gordon having fun climbing.

Adele asked me to help her hold the zoo map up on the pole. Then she 'read' something on it, then thanked me and moved on.

I was sitting right next to them and have no idea what Adele was telling Walt. Gordon carried his map around for a long time, reading it as we walked to see where we should go.

I love my big kids.

Jeff captured some amazing photos of Walt and in many of them you see his full face and his sweet smile. But I just love this one because it captures how silly he loves to act.

Adele

On the way to the exit, we found this area outside the restroom. The kids told me they were playing in the jungle. 

Here's Gordon, walking by my side and carrying his map to tell me where to go.

I just love this photo.

After we exited the zoo, we decided to send Jeff to get the car to pick us up because we'd parked very, very far away. While we waited, I let the kids pick a ($5) toy from a vendor who was parked just outside the zoo. They picked these bouncy balls, which I think were a fantastic choice.