Zoo Day

The weather was lovely today, so we took Tabitha to the zoo.  We wondered if, perhaps, she might be a bit too young to really enjoy it - would she be more interested in the seagulls than the monkeys?

We need not have worried - she had a brilliant time, and was quite excited by the primates, the large colourful birds and the elephants.  Because Tabby wanted to walk most of the time, we only managed to cover around a third of the zoo.  Never mind - even more reason to return again soon!

There is a baby spider monkey on display.  I nearly died on the spot from the cute.  This tiny, wiry little slip of a monkey was hilarious, tumbling and playing and hanging upside down for the crowds.

She had a little 'play area' which she could spend some of the day in, decked out with the latest baby toys - she even has the same 'Lamaze' brand peacock toy as Tabitha:

Tabby striking a 'gorilla' pose in front of the gorilla statue:

Taking a break from the walking on Daddy's shoulders:

"This way, Dada, I see more monkeys!"

The wonder in her eyes was just priceless:

Enjoying an overpriced zoo sandwich:

And a gingerbread elephant, which was useful in encouraging her to sit in the pram for enough time for us to scoot to the far end of the zoo:

Sitting on one of the wooden elephants - such a big girl! I am fond of this outfit - the deep pink of the shoes perfectly matches the little pink ribbon around the neck of the bunny on her top.  From the ribbon dangles a tiny silver heart charm, which is Tabitha's favourite part.

Shudder.  They can dress it up however they want - I still know there are scary terrifying hairy spiders behind that cute wall:

Pachydermata, one of my favourite mammal groups, after primates.  The pygmy hippo is my personal favourite, but I do love a jaunty swinging elephant trunk as well!  Here is a baby:

And a great big mummy:

Our final stop was the Orangutans.  Always save the best for last!  Here, Tabitha crouches in front of the glass, watching two of the large boys wrestle and rough-house:

A highlight of the day was watching a beautiful, gentle mummy orangutan breastfeed her baby, who is nearly 9 months old, and has 8 teeth, apparently.  As they fed, the baby stroked her mummy's arm and chest, and the mother kept stroking her baby, gazing adoringly into her face, and adjusting the blanket to keep the sun out of her baby's eyes.  It was a magical time, watching their special bond:

Perhaps Tabitha noticed the feeding - she begun to paw at my top quite urgently, so I fed her while we watched the beautiful orangutan mother feeding her baby.  I felt fabulously at one with my favourite primates.

When we got home, The Daddy brought in the washing - look who hitched a ride in the basket:

In the early evening, we walked down to the park for a quick play...

 

Building up the courage to try the big slide on her own:

And WHOOOOSH!

All in all, a lovely day!