We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

I'm a bit behind on my blogging. School started last Wednesday and I'm working hard on trying to figure out how to manage it all...blogging seems to be the last thing on the priority list...funny, it's always the stuff that you want to do that seems to give way to the things you have to do.

McKenna, Benny & I crammed in as much as possible in the last week of summer. We made sure to fit in one last trip to the Brookfield Zoo. GranMom came with us and we met Megan & Brayden, and Beth, Olivia & Thomas. We sure had a lot of fun!


McKenna, Benny & Brayden all packed up and ready to go!


5 mins in and the geese decide to tag my back...it's good luck, right??? thank goodness for baby wipes! :)


watching Kanga & Roo


Beth & Olivia, GranMom & McKenna and the Rhino in the Pachyderm House


Kenna, Olivia, Benny & I


the Polar Bear exhibit is really cool...it was GranMom and Kenna's favorite!




Benny & I loved it too


penguin exhibit



brave Brayden! Pulling himself up to get a better look at the Baboons!


the zoo makes Booski tired


lunchtime fun


the peacock likes Goldfish crackers and Pb&J sandwiches



Benny loved looking around Tropic World...


...and so did this girl!
McKenna is happiest when she is among animals :) future zookeeper???





this tired face says it all...time to go!

We sure had a great time at the Zoo with our friends! What an awesome summer we had together. Can't wait til next year!

Blackberry...Farm?

Last Friday, Megan & I packed up the kids and decided to try out the Blackberry Farm in Aurora. It was one of the places on our Summer 'To Do' list and with summer winding down we wanted to make sure we got it in.

I was excited to take McKenna and Benny. It's yet another place that has animals, but a lot closer than the Brookfield Zoo. Sadly, it didn't live up to our expectations.

First off, I would use the term "Farm" loosely. There were a couple of animals, a cow, some sheep and goats, some pigs, and chickens. But, mostly it's an outdoor Illinois pioneer history museum. I guess I should have looked closer on the website!

We had a really nice day, as you'll see by the pictures, but if your intention is going to see the animals, then it wouldn't be worth the admission fee.


McKenna didn't seem to mind the small amount of animals!






2 piggies in the tub!



Kenna is on the middle pony, Chip... first time she didn't need me :(


loves pony rides! yeee haw!


Brayden was too little to ride the ponies, but he still loved watching them!


Megan & Brayden riding the train


All Aboard the ChooChoo Train...the Baby Bjorn has been a lifesaver for me this summer!


Brayden loved Paco, the donkey. Kenna, wouldn't get any closer.


seriously...not any closer

SPLASH!

Our summer adventures continued today at the Ty Warner Splash Park in Westmont. Our friend, Beth, invited the whole play date crew out to the park for the afternoon. The crew included Beth, Olivia & Thomas, Beth's friend Kristin and her two daughters, Maeve & Fallon, Laura, Ella & Delilah, Megan & Brayden, GranMom, Kenna, Benny & I...WHEW! Nine kids didn't leave for much Mommy conversation, but we should get more of that at the Brookfield Zoo on Monday!

We had a blast! Thanks for inviting us Beth!






have you seen a sweeter shark???


Tom Tom celebrating Shark Week!


talking about the duckies with Olivia


Hey! Where'd the water go?





the water went off for about 30 min and McKenna actually liked it better! She was much more confident running around. Here she's trying to drink the dribbling water coming out of the sprayer.



waiting for the water with Brayden & Delilah


Ella stayed busy waiting for the water to turn back on




I love this picture...Kenna looking out to GranMom and Brayden (in the red rash guard) crawling his way through the water...so cute!