Palm Springs, Day 2

Today, we went to the Zoo here in Palm Springs! We decided to forego the San Diego Zoo, and just do this zoo instead. It was pretty good!

Allan and I took all 4 kids by ourselves first, and Cassie was going to meet us there. She had some errands to run first. As soon as we got there, the whining began. Everyone was hungry. So again, Cassie had made some PB&J's for the kids and so we found a bench and let the kids eat their lunch.

Luke enjoying his Oreo, because he ate his sandwich like a big boy.

Taylor has had a wicked bad cold for a few days, but he seemed ok enough to go to the zoo......so being the awesome parents that we are......we drug his tiny butt there. He spent most of the time in the stroller and being held by daddy. Daddy sure got a work out, that's for sure. 

Next up was the bird habitat, thingy. It was a huge mesh tent, put up in between a ton of palm trees. Cassie said that usually in between a huge grove of palm trees, there will be a natural spring. In Palm Springs (HA! The name of the city. I just caught on!), palm trees grow on the fault line and usually there are springs that come up.

Anyways, we all walked in, I carried Taylor, and there were birds everywhere. Taylor kept pointing, and patting his legs, saying, "Come on bird, come here!" They didn't. He really loved the birds. Right as we got inside, Jordan, Cassie's son, had to go potty. He tried to whip it out, and pee in the little creek running through the habitat. Luckily, Cassie directed him out of there, and into a nearby bush, so to relieve himself.

Right outside of the exit, there was a spring, in between all of the palm trees! The kids were more interested in that then the dang bird tent. They thought that there were frogs in the water making it bubble up, like it was. That's what Luke kept saying anyways. It was pretty dang cute.

As we walked along the paths, to get to the next exhibit, I kept looking up, counting the kids constantly, making sure that we had them all, and that some random lizard didn't drag them off to their dens. A few times, I looked up, and saw Jordan and Luke holding hands, running up the path. They just loved hanging out together, and running and saying totally random things to each other, that made the other laugh.

Random cute picture of Sarah and Allan. She was being pretty cute........right there. HA!

Why didn't anyone tell me that I looked incredibly fat in that outfit. Ugh!

As we were walking out of the reptile habitat and where the lions were sleeping, we came upon a carousel! Random, but very welcomed! The kids were all getting tired and whiny, so this gave them a minute to relax and have a little bit of fun on a ride........not to mention the wicked cool Star Wars music that they were playing, so then daddy was happy too. Taylor totally loved his wart hog he got to ride on. He wouldn't hold on to the pole very much. He held on to it's ears mostly. Luke was super stoked to be able to ride on a leopard! I'm not sure why, but that just made his day, and he swore he was going faster than anyone else..........because leopards are faster, you know.

After the carousel ride, we found the kids play house, thing. It was pretty neat. As we walked in, there was a nice old man who showed Sarah how to make sand tornado's. She was totally into that. The boys didn't care about anything, except this carpeted mountain that they could climb up, and either roll or slide back down it. The boys really loved that.

Probably, the coolest part of the zoo, I think, was the butterfly habitat you got to walk in. I, however, at the time, was not too keen on the idea. I don't care what kind of bug it is, nice or not, I DON'T LIKE IT. I will cry. But, I decided to be a good mom and go in.........mainly because I knew Allan wouldn't take pictures. SHH! 

Sarah holding a butterfly

Jordan holding a butterfly

As we walked into this place, and after we were given instructions on how to walk into the other area, without letting butterflies out, we walked into the second room, where all of the butterflies were at. There was a neat older lady, who happened to be holding a butterfly. She asked our kids if they wanted to hold it. They all did, except for Luke. He was a little scared. Who could blame him? Sarah LOVED everything about this place. The place was covered in flowers, and butterflies were flying everywhere. She thought it was full of magic faeries. It was adorable. She felt pretty special when a butterfly landed on her shoe. She said that it chose her, because she was wearing pink. HA! At the same time that I was taking a picture of that, a butterfly landed on my toe (I was wearing flip flops). I lightly yelped, and tried to shake it off of my foot. I felt slightly stupid, but most of the time, I didn't care. HA! Stupid butterfly.

The whole time we were there, the zoo had these random vending machine's placed around. We found one, and got Allan and I a drink to share. The kids were whining the whole time, that we didn't get them one. So finally, Allan, being the marshmallow he is, gave in, and tried to buy a drink for them to share. Every one of these machines he would go to, none were working! He tried about 7 machines and none would work. The kids were really upset with him. They got so excited when they'd find a vending machine, but then walk away, scowling, because he couldn't get it to work.

3/4 of the way through the trip, finally, Taylor bit the dust. He was so tired, and he just couldn't help himself anymore. He fell asleep in the most uncomfortable position ever! Protecting the family jewels.

In the end, the trip was a gigantic success! Everyone had a wonderful time, and we got some more exercise. 

.......................And, Allan finally got the drink. Win!

Later that night, after we got home, Cassie wanted to go out with me. I had a blast. We went to the mall, found some new flip flops for me, replaced my old Oakley's (totally missed them!!) and went to Cheesecake Factory, and made fun of the waiter. He was incredibly friendly, and open to sharing his whole life with us! HAHAHA! We ended the night by harassing Heather, Allan's cousin, and then headed home. Allan was so sweet to stay home, by himself, with all 4 kids, while we went out. I just love him!

So far, we are having a great time!