lions, tigers...and alligators oh my!

we pretended we had absolutely nothing else to do last saturday than to spend the day at the zoo. the kids had a blast, and it was great to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather...a cool front came through while we were there...a rare occurence!

jude was all about the alligators on this zoo excursion...we were able to attend an alligator wrestling show (see pics below) which left a lasting impression on this little monkey!

NO FEAR....sure he will hold a baby alligator, but sleeping in his bed all night....as if! really though, jude was really brave and took the whole alligator show very seriously. he was the youngest one to hold the alligator by himself, and he was all business, all work and no play for this crocodile dundee.

alligator wrestling did not impress emilia in the least!

the lone ranger, or middle child, wanted to sit independently from the rest of us to watch the alligator show...

...she became leary of the whole situation very quickly...

molli could hardly stand to watch....or listen? not sure why she is clutching her ears...it was intense, but not loud! hysterical!

...molli giving jude a reassuring pat on the head. easy for her to say...she is the one being held by daddy!

this is what happens when you deprive your children of their afternoon nap to spend the day at the zoo...and then have a thirty minute drive home. but of course, jude and molli were down but not out. the minute we got home they got their second wind...gotta love those power naps!