The San Francisco Zoo

Last weekend we headed to the San Francisco Zoo.  It was the first time I'd been there since I was a kid.  I remember being so cold when we visited that August that we raided the trunk for just-purchased school clothes that were only slightly warmer than the summer outfits we had mistakenly chosen to wear that day.  Consequently, 25 Augusts later, I dressed us for the arctic for a trip to the zoo!  And I think everyone was grateful for all the layers as it didn't really warm up until we were about to leave.

We got there early and spent an hour or so at Ocean Beach before the zoo opened, collecting shells and sand dollars and a little piece of string that Audrey decided was going to be her pet worm named Drizzly Syrup.  Seriously. Can't. Make. This. Stuff. Up.  It was cool and foggy and windy but it felt great to smell the ocean, feel the spray, watch a few surfers and walk in the sand.

 The zoo was great.  A really nice collection of animals and habitats.  There was an insect room that had the kids totally fascinated for almost an hour.  I think Corey and I could have left to go grab lunch and they wouldn't have missed us.  It was just nice to spend time as a family.  With Corey's work schedule what it's been the last few months there haven't been many days that the four of us (well, the five of us, I guess, if you count Drizzly Syrup) have spent doing something fun together.

 The penguins were Audrey's favorite part.  And I must admit

they were adorable.  So full of energy and spunk.  No wonder

Audrey connected with them!

 She's a California girl now!

 Last Halloween, I'm pretty sure this is

what Natalie was picturing her peacock tail feathers

would look like.  But at $5 a feather at the craft store,

her plumage looked like it had been plucked compared to this!

 Natalie's favorite exhibit was the flamingos.

She said they looked like ballerinas...they balance on one leg

and look like they're wearing pink tutus.  Pretty clever comparison!

Equal parts creepy and cute.