dinosaur train

part of the chaos before leaving the house for soccer was that i was packing us up for the day.  pbs was having a "dinosaur train" day at the zoo so i thought we would have lunch there and check it out.

the kids had to do nature 'challenges' at four different stations around the zoo and collect stickers for a free ride on the 'dinosaur train' (the zoo's regular train).  i think that the rain kept people away because the crowd wasn't too bad and there wasn't much of a wait at any of the stations.

rubbing leaves into their books

once they had all of their stickers we went to get their train tickets.  as a bonus they also got backpacks/bags, a lenticular nature trekker membership card and a dinosaur that will grow in water.  and then we got in line for the train.  and it wasn't a short line.  the free tickets were only good for today so we got in line.  i tried to get a picture of them with their tickets but the glare was too much for mason to open his eyes.  the people behind us in line were going crazy trying to get their kids to look at the camera.  there were bribes, threats, complaints about "this is why i don't take them for portraits", etc.  i felt pretty bad for the kids because the glare was really hard on my eyes and how important could that picture be?  i mean, really?

about halfway through the line it occurred to me that we weren't going to be able to ride the train.  how was i going to get on with a sleeping manning?  i had a pretty good idea that they wouldn't let the kids ride by themselves.  i started scoping out the adults near us in line to see if i could ask someone to sit with my kids on the train (the 'track' is very small and i can see them the entire route). 

i asked the train staff about them riding without me and he said that kids 4 and under are required to have an adult.  he would consider letting mason ride but just couldn't let maddux on without me.  so we figured out that we might all be able to fit in the open coal car.  he also let me keep the stroller near the train so that i didn't have to bring my bag too.  it worked out fine and the kids were all very happy for the ride.  several of the parents laughed when i got in with the carrier and the lady in line behind us offered to take our picture (which i am really glad to have).

my delightful companions

there was not an inch of space left in the car, but we made it.

madelyn took this picture of manning's first train ride.

the only dinosaur train activity we had not done yet was getting a picture with buddy.  we had already seen him as we walked by the line at one point, but it was so long that i told them we would come back.  only, it was longer now.  at least it wasn't hot and the kids had a lot of fun pretending that something was living in the storm grate and calling out to it.

i was starting to panic a little as we were waiting in line because i still needed to stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things i needed for the side dish we were bringing to the mops family picnic that night and it was getting late.  a shower for me was already out.  i would have left but we were getting close and we had already waited this long.  once it was our turn, maddux wouldn't go near buddy and mason was having some doubts.  a lady whose children had just gone offered to take a picture with all of us and i happily (and quickly) accepted. 

i don't think the kids (other than maddux) even looked at buddy for more than a second - at least i didn't get to.  we took our picture, said thank you and made a bee line for the car.  i was able to text with matt about what i needed from the store since he was going to beat us home.  and then he got the side together while i fed manning and we were off again.

on the drive home from the zoo i asked madelyn what her favorite part of the day was (the boys were all sleeping) and she said the nature crafts.  but then she added that her "most extremely favorite part was spending time with my family.  i am only a little sad that daddy wasn't with us too."  how sweet is that?!  i told her that daddy was doing something fun too, but agreed that it would have been fun to have him with us and that we were going to see him soon.

other than the timing, we had a great day at the zoo.  love.