Brookfield Zoo Field Trip

Every year, Dorothy's school goes to Brookfield Zoo for a field trip.  This was my seventh time going on this field trip, and also my last.  For Dorothy, it is less about seeing the animals, and more about spending time with her friends.  Maybe someday I should take the kids to Brookfield and focus on actually trying to see some of the animals instead of everything else.

 We always have to stop for a photo on the lion.  She is almost tall enough to climb up on her own.  I barely had to boost her up.  By next year, she'll be able to hop on with no problem.

 Being a peacock, right after we saw a couple of real ones stroll by.

 On a polar bear with her best little friend.  All she did all day was keep track of where her friend was and make sure that they were together.

 Outside the rhino exhibit.  The rhinos were out, but I'm not sure if the kids really saw much of them.

 This is what they were doing instead.

We always end our visit with a ride on the carousel.  This year, Dorothy rode an ostrich.  I'm never really sure how she chooses what animal to ride.  I've asked her, but she can never explain it to me.

It's a fun day, but a bit exhausting with so many people we know there.  Now that we are done with the school field trips to Brookfield, maybe we will try some family visits and see how those go.

Happy 9th Birthday, Malcolm!

Malcolm turned 9 today and had a very sports-centric birthday.  Almost every gift was something sports related.

 Kevin tried to get the new backboard hung while Malcolm was at school.  Unfortunately, the lip of the roof was in the way, so he had to built out the backboard a bit.  We will probably paint the part he had to build out.

 It looks pretty good on the garage.  He and the little boy next door played for a while once it was up and running.  Malcolm got a new basketball too, and he was very excited that it was red, white, and blue.  The boy next door gave it his approval too.

New soccer ball!  He's been playing soccer almost every day at recess, and has been wanting to practice at home.

 It is very hard for Dorothy to watch her brother open gifts.

 He also got a tether-ball set, and it is a hit so far.  The two kids from next door came over and played a bit too.  Malcolm challenged me to a game, and I beat him three games in a row.  I have a funny feeling that my winning streak will end shortly because he is catching on really quickly.  Dorothy was picking it up really fast too, and I wonder how long it will be until she beats him in a game.

 They played together a bit, but there was more giggling than anything else.

Instead of cake, Malcolm wanted to go to Van's for dinner and to have frozen custard for dessert.  The flavor of the day was French Silk, which both kids ordered.  Malcolm had his with a side of gummy worms and Dorothy had hers with M&M's.

Happy birthday Malcolm!  You are growing up so quickly, but still have that same easygoing goofiness you had as a toddler.