Zoo

Yesterday K and I met with some friends and their babies at the Woodland Park Zoo. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, and the kids all got a chance to spy a few of the animals. They aren't quite to the point where we can tell them to look at the tree and they'll actually do it and actually see something, so I think a lot of the animal-viewing-enjoyment was on the moms' behalf. The penguins were a favorite with the kids though - have you been to this part of the park? It's fabulous! There are half walls made of glass so little hands and faces can press up against them and eagerly watch the penguins zoom by. Lots of fun.

Kellen and Daniel, checking out the penguins

Jean Luc helping Katie push the stroller

 My uncle Mike used to be a zookeeper at Woodland Park, and anytime I return there I can't help but think of the awesome opportunities he afforded us while he worked there. My brother and I were able to do some wonderful things because of him, like feed the giraffes and visit the zoo after hours to see the nocturnal animals. We also got to enjoy his "zoo" at home, with a wall of reptiles and about a zillion dogs.

Because of my uncle's attachment with the zoo, my grandmother, who has since passed, became incredibly involved with Woodland Park. She was a long time kindergarten teacher who loved teaching and learning and supporting the zoo, and when she died a bench across from the zoo's education center was dedicated to her. I took Kellen there to sit on the bench and reflect a little on my grandmother. She never met Kellen, but she would have loved him fiercely.

"In honor of Lucile Teller who loved her family, her students and the zoo"

Our morning was thoroughly enjoyed by both Kellen and I, as well as by the women and children we were with. These women I met either through our childbirth class that we took while I was pregnant, or through my PEPS group that I started meeting with when K was just 5 weeks old. I am so very appreciative of their friendship, and feel they have come to be more than just situational friends. Aw. Love you ladies!

All in all, a great trip to the zoo.