Zoo Atlanta

Maddie had a field trip to the zoo in Atlanta, so Aaron took the day off--we decided to make it a family affair! Aaron, Wesley and I drove over a little early to take care of the business end of the field trip (pay for tickets) and Maddie rode with her class on the bus.

Welsey was SO excited to go the zoo to see all of the animals! He had this adorable look on his face the whole way. :)

Welsey wasn't too sure about the bronze animals. He wouldn't stand next to one until Dad helped him realize it wasn't real!

Most of Maddie's class.

We started off in the playground.

SO excited to be on the Merry-Go-Round.
(Before it started moving)

Not quite as excited.

GET ME OFF THIS THING!
(I know I'm a bad mom for taking pictures of my terrified child,
but it was just too funny to pass up!

Maddie and I couldn't stop laughing at Wesley.
Maddie and her good friend, Morgan

Our group on the train.

Happy to be on the train.

Maddie and Kadjari.
(I have a special place in my heart for this little man. He comes from a pretty rough home and he craves attention. Any time we went to Maddie's school, he wanted to hold Wesley and give me hugs. He's going to have a rough life ahead of him--he's the kid who everyone blames for anything that goes wrong even if he didn't do it. (Although he is often the culprit.) Maddie was so sweet to Kadjari. Her teacher said she was a great friend to him.)

Combing the goats

Ugh! Goats are the ugliest and noisiest animals ever!

The pandas were so cute!

Kadjari, Maddie, MarKeith (that's his real smile) and Morgan

Otters

Mr. Orangutan
(He was covered in long, nasty dreadlocks. Gross!)

Going into the blind mole rat exhibit

Maddie was SO excited to have her picture taken.

Massive gorilla

The kids threw their snacks to this ape or whatever it is (don't tell the zoo keeper!) and he followed us all along the fence, begging for more.

Cuties

Excited to see the zebras

The parakeet exhibit was the best part of the zoo! You could buy these little seed sticks and the birds would land right on them.

Morgan was not a fan!