“We’re going to the zoo!” Noah’s First Big Adventure… by Jim

Last Friday we wanted to do something fun as a family and thought it was a great day for the zoo. It was the perfect day and was actually a little cool. It was exciting to go with Noah because we have been going for years and it is just not the same. Last time we went, we ran into good friends of ours with their little 1 year old at the petting zoo. I was right behind her in line waiting my turn to pet the animals.

When we were walking in, Jenna would surprise him by popping her head in the stroller and say, “we’re going to the zoo!” Noah would squeal and giggle in delight each time she did it which I lost count of. He clung onto his monkey we got him and was absolutely fascinated by him. We named him jelly. Why you ask, well, in addition to us being a little goofy, the tag said “jellycat” so we thought that would be cute.

The zoo itself was a blast; we got there around noon and stayed until 3:00. We toured all of the exhibits, including the new Museum of Living Art, which is a really cool indoor herpatarium. We’ve been to a number across the country, including San Diego, and the Fort Worth is definitely right up there with the best. Noah did great. He alternated between naps in his stroller and being carried around by mommy or daddy to see the exhibits. There were a bunch of times when we would go up to an exhibit and he would follow the animals around with his head. Inside the reptile house, they had a tank with turtles; the turtles would swim right up to the glass and follow your hand around if you put it close. He got really excited when the turtles would swim up close to him. He’d smile, follow them with his eyes, kick his feet and coo. Overall it was a really great day; the first of many we will have as a family.