MN Zoo trip...

During our last week of summer I asked the boys what was one thing they really wanted to do before school starts. They both were determined to go to the MN Zoo. So one Wednesday morning we dropped Daddy off at work and drove down to Apple Valley for a whole day adventure. On the way down to the zoo Oliver told me "This is going to be EPIC!".

We got there only a little after they opened and headed start for the grizzly coast to see the bears. I know they are really active in the mornings. We were not disappointed. Of course, the boys didn't want to watch the bears trying to catch fish but I made them stay a little bit for me to watch.

We walked around seeing the animals.

Then we found the amazing new natural playground the zoo put in near the farm. It was huge and REALLY fun. I wish they made more playgrounds like this one.

 

After a snack, we headed to the farm to feed goats, watch a cow being milked and see a few bunnies. 

Oliver had seen that there was only a few days left to see the dinosaur exhibit at the Zoo. I wondered if it was really worth the five extra dollars per person to go see them.  Since I wasn't feeling crazy about it, and another mom I stopped coming out of it wasn't too impressed, I only spent $10 and sent them in to see the dinosaurs. They took my phone (eek) to take pictures with. They both came out safe and sound and excited to have seen so many dinosaurs. So I suppose it was worth $10, maybe.

Then it was onto the aquariums!  One of my favorite places at the Zoo.

Just before we had to leave we were by the butterfly room. I figured we could finish our trip with one last, quick walk through. Oliver caught a butterfly (even though he wasn't supposed to touch them).

All in all we had a great day and it was fun to share one last adventure together before the start of school.