Sea Lions, otters, and goats, OH MY!

We got up early and headed to the zoo today. We got there right when they opened at 9 and were gone by 11. I'm SO glad we went early. Not only was it starting to get crowded but it was HOT HOT HOT. It was pretty awful. It wasn't too bad through most of the zoo because there is lots of shade but the last thing we did was watch the sea lion show and that was out in the direct sun...awful (but TOTALLY worth it!).
The girls have been really excited about seeing the new sea lions and seals and they did not disappoint. We checked them out first while there wasn't a crowd and then went back at the end for the show. The exhibit is really well done with multiple viewing points.

seal

pic with the sea lion

JP is totally judging the sea lions

After the sea lions we headed over to see the otters. We love watching the otters...they're so playful!

We then headed to the bears and lions. Neither one of them were doing much...guess it was too hot for them to do much but sleep!

Ellie really wanted to do the carousel. She and Emmie ended up riding it by themselves because Ruthie didn't want to ride. (She was in a bit of a strange mood this morning...think all the pool time this week has worn her out!)

We stopped and saw the Komodo Dragon and then went and let Emmie and Ellie ride the train (once again Ruthie didn't want to ride) and then the big girls rode the pony. Usually the pony line takes FOREVER but those ponies were moving quick today.

Next we did the barn. JP wasn't so sure about the cow but he LOVED the goats and the alpacas. He kept looking back at me and smiling.

There was a snake at the barn. I was only hyperventilating a little.

Mama! These goats are so cool!

Ruthie had been asking the whole time to see the giraffes so we saw the zebras and then the giraffe. Usually we feed them but there was a very long line to get lettuce (they seem to have some new system where they scan a paper everytime someone gets lettuce instead of the old system where they just counted on a clicker). One of the giraffes was being super aggressive about wanting lettuce. It kept sticking its neck way up on the overlook to sniff at everyone. I thought it was really funny. Ruthie not so much.

After the giraffe we headed to see the sea lion show. Oh.my.goodness. SO.SO.GOOD. The sea lions did all kinds of "enrichment exercises". They clapped their fins, turned in circles, went back and forth between the deck and the water, jumped out of the water to touch a pole in the air, made sea lion noises on command, and other neat things. We loved it! I'm hoping when it cools off I can take the little ones. It was so crowded that JP couldn't really see from his stroller and Ruthie didn't have a great view either. We stood at the top of the exhibit looking down and could see really well. I think if you sit in the stadium area you need to be at the top to see well because you need to be able to see the deck.

Emmie got chosen to be part of the show. They helped out with showing things that were good food and bad food or the seals and sea lions.

We headed out after the show. We were very hot and sweaty but we had a great day and marked another item off our summer bucket list!

PS. I have to brag on what great sisters Ruthie has. They are ALWAYS looking out for her. The other day a friend at the pool was sitting with us while we ate lunch and Emmie checked and made sure the other little girl's snack didn't have peanut butter. Today at the zoo, I was holding Ruthie while we were watching the show. Ellie was sitting in front of us and turned around and told me not to put Ruthie down because the little girl beside her had peanuts (she was eating trail mix...then I turned around and the kid behind us was eating a peanut butter sandwich...I may have gotten a little twitchy at that point!). I love how protective my big girls are of Ruthie!