Turning Two at the Zoo!

We planned for a while to take Em back to the Riverbanks Zoo for her birthday instead of having a big party for her again this year. Mick and I both took Friday off to get some things done around the house and pack everything up--then we picked Em up when she woke up from her nap at school.

We headed down to Columbia and checked into the hotel, where Em was delighted to discover a huge lake with lots of ducks and turtles.

It was nice to have somewhere outside to get out and walk around since Mick's parents were meeting us there, but got stuck in traffic and we had almost an hour and a half to fill before they got there.

We had dinner that night and headed to bed so we could get an early start on Saturday.

Before we left for the zoo, Em had some birthday presents to open! Probably her favorite was a Bitty Baby, who she affectionately named "Chicken." Chicken has several changes of clothes, a bottle, a blanket and all of her stuff fits nicely in a little backpack that Em can wear.

We got to the zoo shortly after it opened, and had a fantastic time! Em loved the animals even more than she did last time, which was no surprise--she got excited over everything, from the statues to the birds and snakes to the lions, tiger and bear!

One of the things we love about this zoo is all the interactive exhibits, and how close you can get to some of the animals.

This goat took her whole hand in its mouth, so she told him "not nice, goat!"

These little lorakeets will fly right up and sit on your hand or arm to drink the nectar in these cups--Em said she wanted to hold a birdy, but when one landed on my arm, she squealed and changed her mind :).

The carousel is always a favorite!

Em liked feeding lettuce to the giraffe,

at least until he got a little too close with his tongue!

The weather was perfect for the day, and we took a tram ride over to the botanical gardens, where there were kids' activities set up. Em got a monkey tattoo on her hand and made a maraca with seeds.

There were some cute play areas that she enjoyed too.

She had a great day with Grandma and Papa and cousin Landon, but it was a long day with no stopping for a nap! We took her stroller, but she wouldn't stay in it long enough to rest.

She slept all the way home, and then woke up long enough to eat dinner and take a bath, but then was asleep for the night.

Turning two must be exhausting!