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Monday, May 26, 2014

We had such fun!

Something unusual happened last Friday. Bob and I both had the day off! On top of that, we were planning to have Alaina overnight that night. We decided that meant we needed to do something special, and decided on a trip to the zoo. The weather was perfect, sunny with a nice breeze. We picked Alaina up in the morning and headed for John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.

This is a statue of John Ball, which is at the entrance to the zoo.  You can see by the worn spots on it, that many kids have crawled on him, and sat on his lap for a photo.  I remember sitting on his knee when I was young!  However, Alaina didn't want any part of it; she prefers to sit with Grandpa.


The flamingos were near the entrance. along with a lot of other water birds.



We saw warthogs, bears, wallaby's and lions.



We had fun watching the penguins swim by.
 


 
Alaina and Grandpa walked behind the waterfall.



Alaina loved watching all the different types of monkeys.
 


There are camels you can take a ride on.  I tried to talk Alaina into riding with Grandpa, but she didn't like that plan.  Better to just stand back and look at them!
 


 
Being held by Grandpa is the best way to see the animals.
 


She was pretty sure this was our cat Oliver.  She knocked on the window to wake him up, but he kept sleeping.  She told Heather she saw Oliver at the zoo, but he wouldn't wake up.



This is Nessie.  She lives in the pond at the entrance to the zoo.  She was an entry in Artprize a few years ago, and it's nice that she stayed in the city.



When we got home, Alaina had to hunt for Oliver.  She found him sleeping, so she brought him a stuffed animal to sleep with.   :)


To end our day, we went to the local ice cream place and got our first ice cream of the season.  You can imagine what a mess Alaina was after this outing!
The next morning, she got up and said "Grandma, we go to the zoo today maybe?"   I'm afraid we have to wait a little to go back, but we sure had fun!

18 comments:

Deb J. in Utah said...

What a great day. A trip to the zoo is always lots of fun.

Sola Scriptura said...

What a wonderful time for the three of you! Alaina sure is looking older, she is a beautiful little girl!

Hootin Anni said...

This post made me giggle with delight! What a fun day for all. [that nessie is super]. But most of all, Alaina with her colorful ice cream stole the show!!

Unknown said...

What fun and especially so, to see it through the eyes of a child. There is just nothing like a grandchild!!!

Jean said...

I LOVED this post!!!! What a fun, fun day and such cute pictures. I just love how she likes being with her grandpa. She and Oliver - what a duo, hahaha!

Laura said...

She sure had fun and was tired out when she came home. :) Guess you didn't need that stroller after all since she hitched a ride from Grandpa the whole time! Thanks again for taking her - she loved it. Although I'm afraid she's going to think that every time you come get her now you're going to the zoo! :)

Betsy Brock said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! I'm loving her big girl hair as it's growing in! Beautiful! Alaina looks so big until we see her in grandpa's arms..then she's tiny!

Karen said...

A trip to the zoo and ice cream. I can't think of a better way to spend a summer day. Your zoo is beautiful. I can see why Alaina thought it was Oscar, they do look a lot alike.

Jennifer Hays said...

Wow, what a big day she had! It looks like a wonderful zoo. I'm so glad you had the chance to experience it together. Grandma, Grandpa, animals and ice cream! No wonder she can't wait to get back there again. :)

Terri D said...

Alaina is so adorable, and I can sure see why she mixed up the cats! Wow!! She has a good eye! Ice cream is a perfect way to end any day!! Thanks for sharing your fun day with us! Love the photos, and am always happy to see public art pieces!!

Jenny said...

Oh my, her hair is just gorgeous. And the glasses pushed up on top! She's a regular fashion model, except more fun because she eats ice cream. I'm glad Oliver didn't have a nightmare and wake up in the zoo behind glass. xoxo

Judy said...

Oh what a fun day you guys had. It's been awhile since I've been to the zoo. I love that last photo.

Robert said...

Just for the record, I had as much fun as she did.

LL Cool Joe said...

She has good taste, of course Grandpa is a much nicer lap to sit on than John Ball's!

I loved the way Alaina wanted to go back to the zoo so soon. It was obviously a great success!

Just A Southern Girl said...

Sounds like a wonderful day!

How exciting to have these special times with Alaina!

White Lace and Promises said...

Ohhhh! Love that ice cream face! So cuuuuute! I just love kids. They make my heart melt and make me smile every time. Looks like ya'll had a grand time with the GRAND girl! Aren't they just GRAND!

Cheri said...

What a fun outing- perfect weather and perfect company!

Brooke said...

she looks so grown up!! that hair! so pretty :)
where are the pics of her with grandma?