Monday, May 18, 2009

It was a Zoo!


So, after tons of bugging on Grace's part, we decided to go to the zoo this past weekend. Not the best idea we've ever had. (And by we I totally mean me.) Who in their right mind goes to the zoo on the first really nice day of the season. (Which by the way also falls on the May long weekend!)
So, we get there, and all the parking lots are full. Overflow parking it totally full. Awesome. After driving around for like twenty five minutes, and one mini snapshow on Ben later, we decide to stalk a family coming out of the exit.
We finally get ourselves up to the ticket line and wait for about fifteen minutes, once I get to the front of the line I ask to purchase an annual pass. The lady looks at me like I am completely handicapped and explains that I just stood in the wrong line. Wicked. So off we go to the longest line known to man. Forty minutes later I am at the window to purchase my annual pass. I had decided to get a guest pass so that I could always have the option of taking someone else with me. Being as it was only 65 and the regular one is 55 it seemed like the smart thing to do right? Hmmm, so as it turns out you actually have to purchase a regular first, then you purchase the guest one on top of that. Well I didn't really want to shell out that much cash, so I figured I would get myself the regular one and then just get Ben the day pass. Wrong. Apparently that window was only for annual passes. So my options were buy the darn pass or go stand in the other line, (which by this point had doubled since I originally stood in it.) So I get two regular passes. Once I am done that I go meet Ben and Grace. My thoughtful and much smarter husband points out that it would have made a lot more sense to get a guest pass and pay the extra ten, since he really isn't gonna come that often. ....................................................
So back in line I get. However, this time I just kind of budged everyone, and jumped back onto the same window I had just left. Luckily no one noticed, b/c I guaruntee if someone had I probably would have been shot in the back or something. So, we get them changed and off we go. FINALLY! I was pretty jazzed up b/c I was sure Grace would love the zoo. The second we walk through the gates Kaia starts crying. She would not stop! So Ben and Grace went off to check out the Canadian exhibit and I sat on a bench off to the side and nursed Kaia. (Sidenote... I strongly dislike nursing in front of people, so I went to this secluded bench that was off behind some trees, but I still got glares from people and even heard a few rude comments. Needless to say I was totally embarrassed. I was using a nursing cover for goodness sake!) I wish I could say that after she was fed she was good, but that just simply was not in the cards! She basically cried the ENTIRE time. So that was fun.
Anyway, the rest of the trip was a gong show! There were thousands and thousands of people there and the lines to see the animals were endless, the heat got uncomfortable and people were totally inconsiderate! There were (at every single exhibit!) these middle aged people standing right in the way, taking up tons of space without any regard toward the KIDS waiting to see the friggen animals! So, needless to say, we did not check out the entire zoo. After two hours of pushing our way through crowds and catching random glimpes of the occasional animal we were done. And my little girl who has been so pumped to check out the zoo? She had spent the last hour asking to go home and refusing to look at anything anyway.
Well, the good news is, I now have these passes and so we will have plenty of time to try again. And if anyone out there really believes I am happy about that... well thanks for thinking so highly of me!
ps. I have this guest pass, so if anyone is coming up... lets get the money's worth shall we!

So, here is half of this massive snake... I am really just putting this picture on for Kel. Love ya!
And here are my favorite animals in the world!

7 comments:

Skye said...

oh.my.gosh. That just stressed me out reading it! I can't imagine! I would've blown up on someone for sure! And what's with people thinking they can make comments about someone nursing for crying out loud?!?!? Ugh. Sorry you had a sucky day!

the fellers said...

when it rains it pours eh? We are coming up probably....we shall see! I would love to see you guys sometime!

kelseyp said...

I will kill you in your sleep for putting that picture up. EVERY hair on my body stood up on end.

Lacey said...

That totally sucks! We have a pass for me and one guest (which was $65.00 total) which I love. It is so nice because you can ask when the animals get feed or when the are the slowest in the week and go then. Also you don't feel like you HAVE to see everything everytime because you can always come back. We go every 2-3 weeks and it's a blast! Don't let your first experience get ou down, after getting the Zoo schedual figured out, you LOVE IT!

lynz said...

oh dear....that is the saddest zoo story ever! glad you made it out the exit in one piece though and giraffes are totally my favorite too - they are so cute and cool looking :) better luck next time chickee!

marisajbaines said...

i totally feel you on the GLARES from strangers when you are feeding. you feel like a total idiot! sorry for trying to feed my child!
i have good news for you i will TOTALLY come up and make use of that guest pass... no problem..
im glad you posted,it was good to hear what is up.....but crappy that the zoo is such a ZOO!

Julie Pitcher said...

you will soon learn that 'big plans for fun' means big headaches! every time we think we'll squeeze in some 'fun' thing with the kids something disasterous happens...it seems to multiply according to the number of children you have! so...a pondering point!
my kidlins are talking about hitting the zoo again...gotta say i wasn't impressed at the last two so I'm in no hurry! plus, hate the hot temps and long lines!
nate would love that snake pic....he won't even go near the exhibits!