Indianapolis Zoo

When we chose to go to Indianapolis for our little vacation, we knew we wanted to do two things while we were there.  The Indianapolis Zoo and the Children's Museum.  We went to the zoo on Friday because it looked like it was going to be the best day weather wise.  It ended up being a beautiful day, most importantly, not too hot. 

The big girls watching the sharks, but not brave enough to touch any :) I didn't touch one either for the record.

I have no idea what these little sharks were doing.  They would come out of the water and swim like this.  I think they are trained to do tricks!

Kami watching the sharks.

We saw a dolphin show where the dolphins did all kinds of tricks.  We sat in the splash zone and got a little wet, but not too bad (thankfully).  Devin, Brad, Ryker and Granny sat a little higher in the stands so they wouldn't get wet.  One of the tricks the dolphins did was hitting a beach ball into the crowd.  Guess where the beach ball went?  Right to Brad and Ryker!!

Here is Hadley ALMOST feeding the giraffe.  Notice the carrot falling out of her hand before it actually got to the giraffe's mouth.  She got scared at the last minute and dropped it.  Brooke (which I don't have a picture of) didn't even bother waiting in line to get up to the giraffe.  She threw her carrot through the fence and yelled at the giraffe "Go get it giraffe!" :)

Hadley "racing" a cheetah

Enjoying our picnic lunch

After lunch, we headed back into the zoo and went to the splash area.  I am beginning to really like splash parks!  The kids like filling their cups and splashing, and I don't have to worry as much because there isn't any water other than what is squirting out of the equipment.  Surprisingly, the one that normally likes them the most, wanted nothing to do with the water.  Brooke and Daddy went looking for monkeys while Kami, Hadley and Ellie played in the water. 

I can't believe I actually have a picture of her drinking this water.  I am always telling them to NOT drink the water, and here she is drinking it! YUCK!

Ellie

After we left the splash area, we headed to the carousel and roller coaster.  Kami was wiped and fell asleep in her stroller.

Hadley, Brian and Brad rode the little roller coaster which ended up being a tad faster than I had expected. 

Before we left to go back to the hotel, we hit the zoo gift shop.  Like a lot of places, you actually have to exit through the gift shop.  Surprise, Surprise.  Grandma and Grandpa bought the kids each a souvenir.  Hadley picked a pink giraffe (seen in her hand) and Brooke chose this cool little treasure box that has a lock and key.  It took her about 20 minutes to choose it.  She is always very thoughtful about her purchases.  Fast forward to the hotel... the girls are playing with Brooke's box, which came with paper, pencils, stencils, stickers, etc... and I told Brooke what a good present she chose.  Hadley looks at me with these really sad eyes and says "You mean you don't like my giraffe?" She was so serious and made me feel bad.  Yes, Hadley I love your pink giraffe.  And your pink monkey and pink flamingo and pink bear that we have at home too :)

Our day at the zoo was great.  We couldn't have asked for a better day, considering that the temperature could have been 95 degrees like it had been all week.  Thanks Granny, Grandma and Grandpa for a fun day!