Brookfield Zoo's Earth Celebration

The Brookfield Zoo happened to be hosting a Planet Earth celebration the week that I had the pass from the library, so we went and met up with my sister, brother-in-law and their kids. It was a nice day, weather-wise, and was perfect for the day out. The zoo had all kinds of organized events revolving around conservation and enjoyment of our planet, as well as a bunch of sponsors' booths giving away samples and coupons, offering projects and contests, and handing out info. It was pretty cool, and Brandon even spun a wheel and won a Thermos water bottle!

Here are AJ and Kyra trying to climb up onto the lion a the entrance. 

 Is Andy behind the lion to help them on or to say, "ROAR!"?

The elephants' outdoor habitat is undergoing renovations to make it even better, so they were roaming around indoors. AJ is over on the right on Andy's shoulders. He thought they were cool...so BIG! We usually take him to the Lincoln Park Zoo, which hasn't kept elephants since they all died in 2004-5, so I think this may be the first time that 

he remembers seeing them up close...

The huge Hippo's got a lot of attention from our kids too. This happy guy was basking in the sun...I wish I could afford to be so lazy again someday!

This picture is not from the Zoo trip...Our friend Jeff (Izzy's dad) gave AJ this shirt for his birthday. I thought it was funny, but told Andy I would never dress AJ in it unless I put a short sleeve over it.  Well, Jeff, you'll be happy to know Andy has no problem taking AJ out in it when I'm not around!  LOL