On Day 3 of our mini-vacation we headed to the San Antonio Zoo. Garrett hadn't slept much (neither had we!) but we were hoping he'd enjoy being there for at least an hour or so. We decided to check out the area that was created specifically for kids ages 5 and under. It was the best decision we could have made! We spent 2 hours in this one area and then headed to the butterfly garden. This was all he had energy for and it was getting warm so we went back to Nana and Papa's after the butterflies. But we're excited to take him back when he's a little bit older and can enjoy the bigger exhibits too.
They had a Garrett-sized ledge for him to climb onto and check out the huge fish. There were smaller ones too but he mostly seemed intrigued by the big guys.
Garrett spent some of the time in his stroller but riding on Daddy's shoulders was easier than constantly unstrapping and restrapping him in.
This was called Down by the River. Kids are encouraged to come in their swim diapers and bathing suits to splash in the "river" and play in the sand. Garrett loved this part! He was fearless running into the water...
...until he fell in and went all the way under the water. He freaked out but after a little hand-holding was right back in the game.
We sprayed off our feet and hands at the showering post. He loved this part almost as much as he loved splashing around the river!
As cool as the water was, Garrett's favorite part of the zoo was this animal enclosure (still in the 5 and under area). This guy, called a Coati, was in his glass encased home but there was a hollowed out log on either side of the glass. Once Russ showed Garrett how to crawl in without splitting his head open he was in and out, watching the Coati and trying to talk to him. We spent a lot of time with this guy.
This was another cool area--it was set up like a little campground, with a tent and everything. Garrett walked right up to this log and honked the raccoon's nose. Do they give rabies shots to toddlers???
My boys are being boys. :-)
It's like Honey I Shrunk the Kids! Huge earthworms and bugs...ewww!
He actually crawled up the little tunnel to see the prairie dogs (which just happen to be my all-time favorite animal). He mostly sat in the tunnel, but he had fun doing it.
"Yeah right, lady, as if I want to pet that smelly bird." This is what Garrett was thinking when asked if he wanted to touch the silky chicken.
In the butterfly garden! Can you spot the butterfly that Garrett is so excited to see? I'll give you a hint: it's blue.
Some family pics inside the butterfly garden. It was beautiful! I wish I could have gotten some good pictures of the actual butterflies, but they don't follow direction very well. Hmm.
San Antonio was a great place for a quick trip. We'll definitely be back! It helps that Nana and Papa are there too. Thanks for letting us stay and putting up with a shrieking, exhausted little boy and guests who leave earlier than planned. ;-)
