Monday, October 19, 2009

We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo! How about You, You, You?

Most of my favorite childhood memories involve my Grandma. My Grandma Belcher is the greatest! She had this really cool Lincoln Continental car with all the cool extras that we enjoy now like automatic windows and locks. My sister Amy and I thought it was very cool through Grandma made us wear our seat belts every time we got in the car. Oh, how times have changed!

Grandma always sang the "Going to the Zoo" song and she and I have been known to break into song at the mere mention of the Zoo. I sing the "We're going to the Zoo" song every time I go there. Ryan just laughs at me and sings along. Here is a link to a recording of the song I found on YouTube. Click here

I love being able to share my favorite memories with my children. I love to reminisce about how simple life was then. I was always in such a hurry to grow-up when I was younger and I often think that I didn't truly slow down and just enjoy being a kid. I work hard now to bring out my inner child. I am definitely a big kid at heart. The Abilene Zoo has undergone major renovations these last few years and they are all fantastic. The zoo entrance has been moved and major attractions have been added. The newest feature that we got to see Saturday was the new crocodile enclosure and the flamingos also have a new spiffy home. The crocodile has been at the zoo as long as I can remember and he always lived in this TINY enclosure which didn't seem to bother him because I NEVER saw him move.


The crocodile "not moving" in his new enclosure


Ryan and Emerson pause for a photo op of the new enclosure


A very cool dude!


Ryan poses next to the new flamingo and bird exhibit


Here is Ryan on his 3rd birthday at the old bird exhibit


Emerson enjoys a snack in the creepy crawler center


Our favorite part of the Abilene Zoo is being able to feed and touch the giraffes




Ryan on his 3rd birthday




Emerson's first time to feed the giraffes all by herself. She loved it!


Rachael and Emerson check out the white tiger


The very manly lion

2 comments:

brittneykeesee said...

I love how you found the older pictures of Ryan to compare with the new ones. It's amazing how much he has grown!!!

Katie K said...

So funny to see Ryan from way back when! Just think, it won't be long until you have "Big Girl" pictures of Emerson!