This boy's fifth birthday was a busy full day.
We woke up to a bit of wet, gray and gloom but we decided to head out to Potter Park Zoo anyway. I had originally thought I'd put a call out to see if we could find anyone to join us, but after looking at the weather, I pretty much thought you'd all think I was nuts and we just went on our own.
I swung by the money machine on the way out there, thinking maybe they were at least charging for parking, but nope - that was free too (no admission fees until April)
While some of the exhibits were closed (obviously) there was still plenty to entertain us, and just as I had always thought - many of the animals were more active in the colder temperatures than they are on the 90 plus degree summer days that we often find ourselves at the zoo. We humans aren't all that bright, are we.
While it was damp and a little cold outside, we made it through most of the zoo before the heavy rain started - which, of course, found as exactly at the far side of the zoo. Thankfully that didn't last too long. There were also a lot of puddles, that had I been smart (we humans and all that) I would have put the puddle lover in his rubber boots instead of his brand-new shoes.
Almost want to pet her, don't you?
Or not.
Brian wanted to be reassured that the glass was break-proof. It was fun to watch her gnaw on her lunch right there in front of us.
We warmed up in the bird house, but Wendy didn't like the humidity.
I was enjoying the colors.
The boys wanted to see the monkeys twice. I was dodging puddles trying to get this shot.
Before we left for the zoo in the morning, my plan had been to have just a small birthday cake festivity in the evening with just the six of us. I was kinda thinking that the zoo thing was *it*. The birthday boy's older siblings, however, had been filling the fivester's head with ideas ever since we woke up. "And your friends will come over!" "And you'll get presents!"
And I was ughing and wishing they had gone to school.
And began texting neighbors. And by the time we got home, the kids that wanted a party suddenly found themselves with chores. And I was making cupcakes because I was no longer sure the carrot cake would be enough.
The house clean, and the pizza dinner eaten, we gave Markie his present from us before the guests arrived. Tippy, our 14 year old border collie, is - just as I suspected - not pleased with Mark's new remote control car. But boy - we pegged this one right. Even better than new shoes.
And fun was had by all.
We slept well.
Happy Tuesday.
