Our second home

As most of you know, we are members of the Zoological Society of San Diego which means we get in free to both the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park I love going there for many reasons, but the main reason is that the kids LOVE it. There is always something new to see and the kids are learning to love and appreciate animals and their enviroment. Such a fun way to spend some quality family time. So this past summer, we ended up going to the Zoo 3 times (once with friends) and once to the Wild Animal Park.
The time that we went to the Zoo with friends, we went with Josh & Adriana and their almost 2 year old, Calvin (a good buddy of Gideon's and the brother that Esther ACTUALLY wanted). One of their close friends, Katie works at the zoo with the giraffes and the koalas. She was working with the koalas the day we were there and gave us a "behind the scenes" tour. It was too amazing for words. Not only did we get to see where the koalas spend their time when they aren't on exhibit, but we also got to ...drum roll please...........pet one!! It was so neat. All 7 of us got to pet a koala and feel that soft, fuzzy fur that not a lot of people get to feel. We felt so special. I literally couldn't stop thanking Katie.

My monkey on a monkey.

As soon as you walk in, there are the flamingos and they are definitely a favorite. So many babies this time of year too.

What can I say, boys love machines.

During the summer, the Zoo has a special program with fun acrobats all over the zoo and a really cool night time bird show. At the end, they ask people if they want to donate money to this charity that helps injured birds, they can come up and give their money to this huge raven while he sticks it in the box. Well the kids were dying to do it. The trainer was really impressed that Gideon went right up and did it and wasn't afraid.

And Esther was pretty stoked to do it too.

Esther participating in a hula hoop contest. Too bad she can't hula hoop.

When we were at the Wild Animal Park this summer, Esther met a guy very dear to her and someone I know she wouldn't mind being like when she gets older.....yes, the one & only Diego!

And yes, the kids always have the same shirts on. We bought the kids "zoo" shirts. Esther has a polar bear shirt that says "Ice is Nice" and Gideon is wearing his elephant poo shirt...what can we say, we are zoo people.