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.

Reading

Gordon made a pile of all of his books and proceeded to read them, one by one. When I came in to take a photo, he said, "I'm just reading my books, Mom. I've got lots of books to read."

Gordon 'reading' the book "Snow."

I saw he was down to his last book. This time, when I went to take a photo, he said, "I read one more book now, then the books are all gone. No more books in the kitchen."

The kids watching a quick show on the computer.

Gordon reading "Hop on Pop" with his dad.

Daddy and son time.

All three kids finally got into the reading bit, though Gordon was a little unhappy and kept insisting they were his books.

Lots of fun

This morning, we went to Tons of Fun. Then we grabbed a quick bite to eat at McDonalds and went shoe shopping. I can't believe the kids needed new shoes already. They'd worn their old ones out. It turns out they each moved up a shoe size, too. Crazy growing kids! The shoe store clerk has sold them every pair of shoes they've owned since we moved here. She couldn't believe how much they've grown just since the last time she'd seen them. And she kept remarking how good they were. Yay!

Walt getting ready to leap off Tarzan-style

Adele and Walt crawling around the top of the cages

Why is it kids always want to go up the slides?

Gordon ready to do his Tarzan leap.

Goofy kids diving on the couch to put on their shoes to leave Tons of Fun.

She had to use the next-size-up shoe ruler for Gordon. He'd outgrown the little kids one.

Walt taking a ride on Thomas the Train at the mall outside the shoe store.

Adele and Gordon on the awesome helicopter

Just one afternoon. Really. Not even four hours.

I've been very sick for a number of days now and was finally feeling human. So when the kids came home from the creche at 1pm, ready to play and DO stuff, I finally felt up for it. Just in case anyone wondered, and so I never forget, kids at this age can do A LOT of stuff.

First, Gordon and Adele wanted to draw on the chalkboards.

Walt went right for the paints, even filling his cups himself and setting up his equipment. He told me he was painting Jake, Izzy, Cubby, and pixie dust from Jake and The Neverland Pirates. 

Gordon got really creative with brushes and colors.

Adele started painting the paper....

...but it wasn't long before she was painting her hands. She calls them monster hands. By the time she was done, they were green up to her shirt sleeves. Crazy girl.

As I finished cleaning up the paint equipment, Adele and Walt started a game outside that involved carrying out jugs of water.

And dumping in small buckets of dirt. So, basically making a big muddy mess. Fun times!

Gordon decided to stay in and listen to an audio book.

It wasn't long before all the kids were in the house and playing with iPads, something we haven't done in a few weeks.

The kids amaze me with how good they are on these devices. They only played for about 20 minutes, though, because the neighbor boys came over to play and the devices went back on the shelf.

The neighbor boys came over at 3:45 and stayed until 5pm. During that time, they played trucks, blocks, built a fort, and built a giant jump launch. Basically, they piled 20+ pillows and cushions, jumped off the couch, bounced off one set, and landed on the pile. It was awesome. I wish I'd gotten a video.

After showers, Jeff was home and a pillow fight exploded.