last hoorah of the season

matt had to work a charity event for work from 9-2 today so i took the kids to the zoo after we ate lunch. it was 'boy scout day' so it was a little on the crowded side.  they have also closed up several exhibits for the winter and a construction project for future exhibits (completed in 2013).  since it is getting to be the end of the season, the carousel and train should be closing up soon too.  i decided that we would use up the rest of our pre-paid rides today since we might not be back again this month.

riding without daddy is highly unusual.  it is difficult for me to bring all three kids on the rides and it makes it easier to not have the discussion about riding every time we go if i have a "only with daddy" policy.

first came our train ride.  i have done this before with all three and it was nice that there was a breeze today so that i didn't feel so claustrophobic in the little train car.

maddux is starting to get down, but they were cute all three standing in a row watching for the train.

madelyn and mason on one side...

...maddux and i on the other.

i also got some videos of the kids playing in the jellyfish exhibit. first they dance in the entrance where the disco ball is - mason dances the longest and maddux usually laughs the whole time.

and then they climb on the rock wall.  what i couldn't figure out in the beginning of the video was mason saying "scared".  i couldn't see it from where i was sitting, but there was a huge (maybe 7 or 8 feet) halloween figure in the corner where he likes to run and play.  he was really scared of it.  i felt so bad afterword because i didn't understand and wasn't particularly comforting. 

and then i did the unthinkable and took all three kids on the carousel!  i had to hold mason and maddux while they rode since they weren't tall enough to ride on their own. this was maddux' first ride so i wanted to take pictures but had to be a little creative with getting them since i couldn't let go of either of the boys.  i was just holding the camera in front of mason and asking him to look at it because i was standing right next to him.  i was amazed that i was able to frame it up that well.

i also forgot that there is another reason i don't take the kids on - i get motion sick!  after a few turns, i couldn't even look at the kids.  i had to just keep my eyes on my feet.  if i looked up i got nauseous and dizzy.  ugh.  they had a great time though.

we just wish that daddy had been able to join us.  love.