Fun Friday at the World Wildlife Zoo ...

We had a GREAT Fun Friday morning today at the World Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium (try saying that ten times fast!) with our good friends the Sinclairs. Despite wanting to go for years, this was the first time we'd actually made the trek out west to visit as it is a solid 45 minute drive from my house. I've been collecting 2 for 1 coupons on egg cartons for literally years! Jeanne and I have been talking about it for a long time, and today everything lined up with both our schedules to give us a morning together out there (before the wicked summer heat is upon us).

The WWZ is much different than the Phoenix Zoo in terms of habitat size and spacing. Although, its probably more fun to be an animal at the Phoenix Zoo, for small kids and parents of small kids, the WWZ was fantastic. We always say that the Phoenix Zoo is a lot of walking and not a lot of animals. The WWZ is the opposite - not a lot of walking and tons of animals ... pretty exciting.

Now for the tour ...

Jared standing in front of one of the alligator habitats.
We'd just left the baby animal nursery, where we saw
so many adorable animals - lion, warthog, ocelot,
porcupines, and my personal fave - the baby joey. So cute.

(L to R) One of Miss Jeanne's sweet daycare kids, Jared, and Sammy Sinclair

Ok, looking back at this pic I had to laugh out loud. Will is
hysterical - with no thought for his own safety. That finger
... through the fence. Take a look at the next pic below and
you'll see why the LOL and why I am grateful to
notice here that there are 2 layers of fencing ...

... because this is what is what Will was so excited about behind the
fence. We saw several white tigers today - up close and awesome.

Feeding the swan and ducks.

Jared and Will in front of another white tiger.

The maps were a big hit with our little tour guides.

Will and the meerkat on the rock.

After taking the outside tour, we cooled off inside the aquarium.
We LOVE aquariums and this one was pretty darn cool.
Above, you can see where the kids were able to touch all
kids of sea life, including shellfish, urchins, and starfish.

Miss Jeanne and her cute kids - Sam & Gracie.

Towards the end of the aquarium tour, the kids were
able to reach out and touch stingrays. They LOVED this.

I just love Will's sweet, chubby 2 year old hands, my little "seeker"

Cute brothers.

As a side note, these days I find myself frequently thinking about our current stage in life and parenting. When we can make trips like this with relative ease, I think about just how simple things are with only two children - especially at Jared & Will's current ages. I totally see now why (for parents) a great age spacing is 3 years apart. Although there still is a considerable amount of physical labor involved with an (almost) 3 year old and 4 1/2 year old, it is so much simpler than it was even a year ago. Although it would be sort of boring to have just two in a family, I can see why a lot of parents stop here! They are mobile, generally compliant, and so much fun.

With that said, although I know our life will radically change in a few months, I am so looking forward to how the Lord will order and add to our family. I'm excited to see how things change with the addition of a new baby boy. After observing several families further down the road than us, I really do believe it IS the more the merrier when it comes to family size. I know its counter cultural and we are probably in for some sideways looks with even 3 children, but Tim and I really like kids and we really like being parents. We are so grateful for all of the Lord's blessings.

I am really planning to make the most out of these next few months with just two - once a day nappers who love to go on adventures and are happy to eat lunch in the car. I am so grateful for my cute husband who works so hard so I can be home almost all the time. I had no idea before I had kids that I would like being a mommy so much.