Who Let the Monkeys Out?

This is a book of our trip to the zoo, so the boys will be able to see all the animals they didn't see at the zoo.  They were too busy checking out the machines, the water, the sea gulls (which at least are animals), the food and the street musicians (including a violinist who only played Happy Birthday). 

And we're off.  Chicago, here we come.  Gramma and Auntie Becca are taking us to the zoo.



 

Auntie Becca's got an elevator in her apartment building.  In case it falls, it's best to lay on the floor.  And you can feel the vibrations of this little room better, if you lay down.

You can see the lake from Auntie Becca's window.  The people look really small on the sidewalk.  If we lived with Auntie Becca we would be looking out the window all day long.  Her kitty sings a funny song whenever we get close to him.  I guess he doesn't want to go to the zoo with us.

It didn't take long to find a parking spot and Gramma is still the best at parallel parking.  When we get to be sixteen, we're going to have her show us how she does it.  But  these two women were hopeless at getting the stroller unfolded.  I was worried I would have to see the entire zoo lying down.  It took two phone calls to engineers, which were pointless, followed by research on the internet to get it figured out.  Good thing Auntie Becca's smart phone is actually connected.  If this looks like a disaster, closing the stroller was much more challenging.  The car waiting for our choice spot, nearly missed their first half hour at the zoo waiting for Gramma and Auntie Becca to get the stroller to fit back into the trunk of the car.  Perhaps they have some spatial challenges.  We would have been happy to have helped out, but who listens to a two-year-old?

Where is he hiding his feet and arms?

Do you think he's looking for something down there? 

How can we help him get out of there?  I think he wants to come home with us.  He followed us up here.

My brother, Nathan, wanted to experience life at the zoo from the animals' perspective.  He seemed to find himself on the wrong sides of the bars more than once.

This is my new friend, Jasmine.  She likes chasing seagulls, too.

Nathan, Auntie Becca says they don't allow little boys on that side of the bars.  After Auntie Becca and Gramma removed us the men came and moved the bars closer together.  Maybe they were worried about someone escaping from the zoo.

See, I do belong here!  I found the perfect spot for me.

If my brother belongs here, I do, too.  We're sticking together. 

Gramma said this is a girl lion.  She said the boy lions look more like Beethoven with really wild hair.

I can understand how much these monkeys enjoy climbing.  I feel the same way.

It's nice to see that many different kinds of monkeys can get along together so well.  It gives me hope for people.

This mama likes to keep her baby close to her.  Monkeys are very similar to people.

Long arms are really handy for a monkey.  Little boys can swing with any size arms.

Why do monkeys want to sit at the top of the tree?  It seems like the others will be in your way if you want to come back down.

Grampa needs to build us one of these.

Five little monkeys sitting on a limb, one fell off and bumped his head...

Does that monkey look fmiliar?  Has anyone seen Nathan recently?

I really have to keep an eye on Auntie Becca.  She could get lost among all these monkeys so easily.

I'm going to keep a close eye out for the other marsupials.  My beanie baby kangaroo is very interested in them.

It's a good thing we got these first class seats for our trip to the zoo, where snacks are icluded in your ticket price.  We might have to eat the animals' food for snack, otherwise.

There are plenty of benches to rest on at the zoo.

"Water, water!  I love the water.  What swan?"

Gramma says the zebra reminds her of the piano; just black and white.

This was Nathan's favorite musician.  He only played one song over and over, but "Happy Birthday" is one of his favorites.

Gramma said this one looks like Grampa.  We couldn't hear, but I think he must have been snoring.

I may want to do this when I grow up.  He can play fast and faster.

I really appreciate the interface, but I think you need money to get the full effect.

Whatcha lookin' at?

Auntie Becca, you'd never leave me here would you?

I think he was singing a protest song.  I could tell from his music that he felt very strongly about it.

I tried to tell him I thought it would be better if he strummed with both hands.  

I love the world of art with these sculptures designed to be experienced.

If it's a running board, why do you just stand on it?  I think it may be older than Grampa's car.  I'm pretty sure it's not a Lexus.

Auntie Becca needs my help pushing Nathan in the stroller.  She just doesn't know she does.

It's not so hard to climb a tree this way.





I wouldn't want to live in a tree, but it's sure fun to play in one.  Wouldn't it be cool if Grampa could make us a tree house?

I love the water.  Yikes, is that a bear next to me?

That bear is making it difficult to see my water.

Excuse me, Mr. Bear, I NEED to see my water.

Gramma said he' a grizzly bear.  I guess he needs a shave.

The absolute best part of the zoo is the seagulls.  They love playing with little boys.  Grmma says she needs to take us to St. Mark's in Venice.  Daddy and Uncle Matt had a really good time with the pigeons there in 1997.



This is how fast I move at the zoo.  I'm part cheetah and part road-runner.

It was exhausting taking care of Auntie Becca and Gramma at the zoo.  But if they need me, I could do it again.