Southwick's Zoo

As many of you know, we don't "do" birthday parties - instead, for each of the girl's birthdays, we take a special day trip with them.  We have been doing this since Elizabeth's first birthday.  Emily turns five this week, so last weekend, we took the girls to Southwick's Zoo in Massachusetts.  I am continually disappointed by zoos, but read that this was the best zoo in New England. Based on our experience visiting other area zoos, it was by far.  We spent more than four hours wandering around the zoo, looking at all of the different animals and exhibits and the girls really loved it.  We also surprised them by inviting Lee's parents to join us - they walked right passed them at the zoo, they were so surprised!  When our day at the zoo was over, we had lunch/dinner at a local restaurant (thank goodness for Yelp) and then headed home.  As we put her to bed that night, Emily told us that it was her best birthday ever - and it's not even her birthday yet!!

Just through the gates and she's already very excited! 

Enormous tortoise. 

It's a whole different experience being with a reader - when we couldn't answer Elizabeth's questions, she simply walked over to the signs and figured things out on her own. 

Emily and Grampy 

Grammy and Emily search for the baboons. 

The chimps were amazing. 

I was a little freaked out about the lack of hair/fur on these guys, but apparently, they are in the midst of shedding for the hot summer. 

The zebras had a huge track of land - but this one kept wandering closer and closer to us. 

Lee tormented one of his buddies all day by posting photos on his FB wall - here he is in action. 

Giraffe 

They had a huge deer feed and the girls were able to feed a bunch of deer right from their hands. 

Majestic 

My favorite sign of the day - and based on some of the human antics we witnessed, even this sign couldn't help. 

Family photo (taken by Grammy) 

The girls with Grammy and Grampy 

Southwick's Zoo street signs.