Lions and Elephants and Giraffes, Oh My!

How is it that some places just make you feel like a kid again?!  We took the girls to the zoo on Monday, and I'm not sure who was more excited, them or us? No matter how many times you go, it is still amazing to see wild animals "in person".

They recently opened the new "Giants of the Savanna" habitat, and it was unbelievable!  The animals had so much room to roam, and it looked so much like their natural home.  That was definitely our favorite part of the day!

Emerson was happy to be facing forward and sitting beside sister in the stroller.  Ella kept looking over at her and asking, "See that Emmy?"

The giraffes were able to get so close to us.  There is a bridge where you can stand and feed them.  Love it!

This sweet baby monkey and its mommy came over to the window so everyone could get a better look. I think baby monkeys are the cutest little things!

Ella insists on doing everything by herself these days..."Let me do it" is heard a million times a day around our house.  It was no exception while getting a drink from our huge water bottle at the zoo.

After leaving the "Wilds of Savanna" we headed over to the children's zoo where Ella got to pet some goats.  There were also roosters running around in there.

After being outside for quite a while, we needed a break from the heat, so we visited the reptiles indoors.  Have you ever seen an albino crocodile?  Or maybe it was an alligator?!

On our way out we found these giant turtles.  They weren't very happy with each other...see their heads raised and mouths open?  Apparently that's how they show their aggression towards one another.  Hmmm...

We can't wait to go back!  Ella is already asking to go back to see all the animals.  As soon as it cools off, we are there!

Stroller Safari & Egg hunt

This morning Ella and I headed out to the Dallas Zoo for an event put on by Metro Moms. A friend of mine is really involved, so she invited us to join them today. I have never attended one of their events, but am so glad I finally did! We got to see all the animals, had a picnic lunch, met some new friends, went on an Easter egg hunt (sort of), and left with a fun goody bag. Ella was in a wonderful mood today and did not complain once about being in the stroller while we explored the zoo. She loved looking at all the animals! (She called all of them dogs, but hey, at least she knew they weren't people. Ha!) After touring the zoo, it was time for lunch and the egg hunt. Since there were several "big" kids there, Ella did not actually get to join in on the hunting madness, but she was perfectly happy playing with her little purple basket they provided for all the kids. We had the best time together today just hanging out while enjoying the beautiful weather. I can't wait to take her back to the zoo very soon!





Timothy the gorilla came right up to the glass and stared at Ella for a long time. He must have thought she was pretty. :)


She couldn't figure out why this monkey wouldn't stare at her too???




Happy girl eating her pizza for lunch. When I asked her to smile she would look at someone else to show them her smile instead of the camera.




The sweetest little boy named Tyler came over and was so gentle and loving to Ella. It was so cute to watch them interact.


We couldn't leave without posing with the "Ella"phants!!!




Here are a few pictures of Miss Ella sporting her purple basket at home.