hibernating at the zoo

Before we hibernate for the long winter, we made a trip with the kids to the city zoo today - to say hello to the giraffes and elephants... and yes, mole rats too...



Our zoo makes it fun and interactive for kids to explore and learn about the animals around them. Here, Ava crawls underground to reach this bubble, where she could see up close and personal what mole rats do. The idea is brilliant - although I wonder what the mole rats think of people popping in unannounced like that [smile].

There's a playground for tots - where giant-size logs make them feel smaller than spiders...





The kids can also feed birds, pet farm animals, and even stop in the Discovery House for a quick craft...



There's always a lot to do at the zoo - even at the same exhibits. The kids have a new perspective upon arrival, and learn something different by the time they are ready to go home. We absolutely love our annual family membership - and find it enormously beneficial for parents looking for activities to do outdoors - even if it's just for a few hours... or the need to take a walk in nature, where the necks of giraffes can be seen from exhibits away...



After an hour of play, we headed up north to set our eyes on some lights at Frisco Square - known for its incredible display of synchronizing its lights to music...



We're anxious for the holidays to get here - but in the meantime, we're going to celebrate each day preparing for it...