Fresno Zoo

We went to the zoo today and the kids wore matching outfits. Clara gets so excited when they can match, which is a little difficult sometimes since they're not the same sex - so I take advantage when I can. Thanks to Chris' Aunt Mary we are zoo members and so we go often since it's free. It's a nice little zoo. You can get up pretty close to the animals and it's never busy on the weekdays. It makes for a good day, especially when Chris is gone and I am looking for something to keep the kids busy (thereby giving me a bit of a break!) They have an new stringray/shark exhibit that will be open until mid-September, which Clara thought was the absolute coolest. The stingrays are a little slimy, it almost feels like a tongue. Jonathan enjoyed splashing in their water but wasn't sure what to think of the stingrays. We saw all the animals, Clara taught Jonathan how to be a flamingo, had some lunch and then headed to the petting zoo to pet some goats and sheep. That is Jonathan's favorite part of the day. They give the kids scrub brushes, which they can use to brush the animals. Usually Jonathan just runs up to the goats and sheep fearlessly yelling "Ahhh!" in their faces or gives them hugs and kisses. Other parents will use him as an example for their more timid children to convince them that everything is OK, as I hold my breath praying that no goat is going to head butt him or kick him. Clara's a little more cautious and listens to my pleas not to approach the animals from behind. Today was a little more nerve-racking because we got to the petting zoo at feeding time. All the animals were climbing over each other to get to the food, butting their way into the center with no regard to anything or anyone else. We made it out unscathed and arrived back home too late for naptime, which ended up being a bonus when I got to send the kids to bed early! All in all, a great day.