Como Zoo!

We are in the middle of a concentrated effort to jam in as much fun as possible in mom's last few days of summer (sigh). Today, Laura and I headed to the Como Zoo with uncles Mike, Matt, and Matt's girlfriend Steph. (It was also on their summer "to-zoo list"...ahahaha thanks Michael).

I'm not sure that Laura's old enough to fully appreciate the zoo; sometimes it seems like it's hard for her to see the animals, and although we read animal books and stuff, I don't think she always realizes what they are. She did have her moments of excitement though. We were close up to a baby orangutan and its mama as they wrestled and played around.

We were excited to see the new polar bear exhibit, but all we saw was the back side of one sleepy polar bear. Laura was more interested in the fake baby seal in its cave...just the right size for her!

We approached the sea lions (seals? are they the same thing?) right as the Sparky show was going to start, but decided the show looked a little full. Hence we ventured into the "aquatic building" to see some fish but instead stumbled on Sparky + buddy in a tank waiting to go onstage! They were all pumped up for the show and kept diving in and out of the water; they even came right up to the glass to see Laura! When the trainers came to get them for the show, Laura got to see them feed the seals some fish. Later on we saw Sparky's other buddies sunning themselves and barking, which Laura did enjoy and even tried to imitate.

After all this trekking around the zoo, we were hungry so Uncle Mike brought us to Porky's for lunch. Laura must have been hungry too because she ate some of mom's cheeseburger (unprecedented!), some fries, and most of our chocolate milkshake (a fave Laura treat).

Needless to say, she cashed out within five minutes of dropping off the rest of our group, slept the whole ride home plus another hour in her crib. Thanks Mike, Matt, and Steph! You were great zoo buddies, Laura holders, and stroller pusher/carriers. Laura loves you!