Zootastic

How all great adventures start out in the Throop house, "So...what do you want to do today?"

Sunday we opted for a leisure breakfast at IHOP followed by an impromptu visit to the Zoo. We love the zoo and our awesome cheap membership pass. Who would have known this would be one of our most awesome visits. Apparently stormy summer weather in the early morning brings the animals out!

Well, mostly. All the animals we never see (tigers, linx, monkeys, zebras, etc.) were out in full force. All the animals we typically see (meerkats, lemurs, goats, etc.) were sleeping in. Great thing about visiting a zoo when it's overcast and sprinkling - no lines at all.

Here's the meerkats huddled together snuggling. These guys are usually rampant with activity. They were mostly moving only to snuggle closer together.

There are probably four or five you can't see because they are just being laid upon by other meerkats.

And typically the lorikeets are well fed by the time we get there and aren't interested in whatever cup of nectar you are offering. Today they were all over us - even if we didn't have anymore nectar!

Mad dog stare from the lorikeets.

Things we learned about the lorikeet exhibt: they don't like my gray hair, you aren't supposed to pet them, and you are definitely not supposed to catch them (Aria).

Here I am being groomed by a friendly lorikeet. This is also when we learned from a keeper we aren't supposed to touch them. 

Nice guys and no one got pooped on. Success!

Tell me it doesn't look like one is about to dive bomb Roland in this photo. Watch out!

And this is why I always like to be the one behind the camera. No shower, grinning my head off, and getting out posed by a bird. He's posing! Poser.

I didn't even invite him to my shoulder, he just welcomed himself. 

Wouldn't be the zoo without a couple carousel rides. Nothing makes Aria happier. Best $2 you could ever spend and never long enough.

You don't have to tell her "cheese", she never stops smiling the entire time.

Roland was enjoying being taller than me when the zebra went up. He can ride by himself, but I appreciate that he keeps me always just a pinch away.

These animal faces are funny.

And I'm as excited as the kids. Every time. Aria doesn't want you to hold her, but she dances and grooves the entire time so you have to hold on to her.

Eh, what's up scary wolf face?

She also waves to all the people watching the carousel. It's pretty entertaining. She's got some people skills that's for sure!

So after seeing all the animals, the fun carousel rides, and some time at the jungle gym we had all earned a great nap! Yay zoo!